CryogenicPiezo Stages
Zolix piezoelectric motion stages are custom-engineered to deliver sub-nanometer positioning resolution at extreme temperatures (down to 10 mK), high magnetic fields (up to 35 Tesla), and ultra-high vacuums (down to 2e-11 mbar).
By submitting your request enquiry we will forward all relevant details regarding full specifications, step files, pricing, and any other necessary information you require.
Need a tailored setup? If you also need, we can organize a technical meeting to discuss and design the best solution that fits your specific application.
Temperature Range
10 mK to 400 K
Dilution cryostat compatible
Magnetic Fields
Up to 35 Tesla
Fully non-magnetic construction
Vacuum Rating
2 × 10⁻¹¹ mbar
HV, UHV & ULT options available
Position Sensor
0.5 nm Resolution
Resistive or capacitive encoders
Interactive Configurator
Cryogenic Piezo Stages Configurator
Select standard cryogenic linear stages, rotators, goniometers, scanners, controllers, or accessories. Configure closed-loop displacement sensors, vacuum ratings, and temperature limits to suit your cryostat setup.
Linear16-x Compact Linear Stage (X)
Identified Model Reference
Linear16-x
Specifications
- Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 10.5 mm
- Travel: 3 mm coarse
- Payload: 50 g
- Material: Pure Titanium body
- Encoder: Resistive closed-loop (150 nm resolution)
We will match this configuration with Zolix extreme-environment cryogenic positioners and provide the relevant pricing, STEP files, and technical solution.
Piezo Stage Series
Our stages utilize a stick-slip inertial drive mechanism for coarse positioning over millimeters, coupled with direct analog expansion for sub-nanometer fine tuning.
“Linear” Series (Linear16 · 25 · 35)
Engineered for X & Z axis positioning. These linear stages feature a highly compact footprint, making them ideal for space-constrained sample chambers inside cryostats. Stackable to form multi-axis XYZ assemblies.
| Model | Dimensions | Travel | Max. Load | Sensor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear16-x / z | 16 × 16 × 10.5 mm | 3 mm | 50 g / 250 g | Resistive (150 nm res) |
| Linear25-x / z | 25 × 25 × 9.5 mm | 6 mm | 500 g / 300 g | Resistive (150 nm res) |
| Linear35-x / z-Optic | 35 × 35 × 10.5 mm | 20 mm / 8 mm | 2500 g / 500 g | Resistive or Optical |
“Rotator” Series (Rotator16 · 25 · 35)
Designed for 360° endless coarse rotation. Ideal for sample orientation changes, polarization-dependent spectroscopy, and angle-resolved measurements inside dilution refrigerators. Available with center aperture options (Rotator25-Optic, Rotator35-Optic) for optical transmission through the rotation axis.
| Model | Dimensions | Max. Load | Aperture | Fine Tune @2K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotator16 | Ø16 × 15.6 mm | 100 g | — | 5 µ° |
| Rotator25 / 25-Optic | 25 × 25 × 16.5 mm | 250 g | Ø6 mm (Optic) | 4 µ° |
| Rotator35-Optic | 35 × 35 × 16.5 mm | 500 g | Ø6 mm | 3 µ° |
“Goniometer” Series (Goniometer25 · 35)
High-precision tilt positioning units with closed-loop resistive encoders. Each goniometer has a fixed rotation centre above the top plate — stacking a theta and a phi unit together produces dual-axis tip/tilt around a common virtual pivot. Available in matched theta and phi configurations across two footprint sizes.
| Model | Tilt Range | Pivot Above Plate | Max. Load | Sensor Res. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goniometer25-theta | 6.6° | 41 mm | 200 g | 0.2 m° |
| Goniometer25-phi | 6° | 53.5 mm | 200 g | 0.2 m° |
| Goniometer35-theta | 12° | 50 mm | 500 g | 0.5 m° |
| Goniometer35-phi | 10° | 66 mm | 500 g | 0.5 m° |
Pair Goniometer25-theta + Goniometer25-phi (or 35 equivalents) for orthogonal dual-axis tilt with shared rotation centre.
“LS-Linear” Series (LS-Linear 30 to 200)
Designed for applications requiring significant mechanical displacement under cryogenic conditions. Five model variants cover travel ranges from 30 mm up to 200 mm. Closed-loop resistive encoder over full travel, ~150 nm sensor resolution and 1–2 µm repeatability across the series. Suited to sample load-locks, filter exchangers, and long-stroke scanner positioning.
| Model | Footprint | Travel | Max. Load | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS-Linear30 | 60 × 32 × 19.5 mm | 30 mm | 750 g | 120 g |
| LS-Linear50 | 90 × 32 × 19.5 mm | 50 mm | 750 g | 150 g |
| LS-Linear75 | 135 × 32 × 19.5 mm | 75 mm | 1000 g | 200 g |
| LS-Linear100 | 180 × 32 × 19.5 mm | 100 mm | 1000 g | 300 g |
| LS-Linear200 | 320 × 32 × 19.5 mm | 200 mm | 1500 g | 600 g |
“Scanner” Series (Scanner16 · 25 · 35 xy & z)
Piezoelectric stack-driven, friction-free scanners. Utilizing flexure hinges, these scanners provide extremely smooth, linear, and reproducible nanometer-scale movement. The absence of mechanical friction makes them ideal for high-resolution scanning probe microscopies (STM/AFM) at low temperatures.
| Model | Axes | Scan Range (300K) | Scan Range (4K) | Drive Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scanner16-xy / z | XY or Z | 20 × 20 μm / 10 μm | 12 × 12 μm / 6 μm | -20 V to +120 V |
| Scanner25-xy / z | XY or Z | 40 × 40 μm / 20 μm | 24 × 24 μm / 12 μm | -20 V to +120 V |
| Scanner35-xy / z | XY or Z | 100 × 100 μm / 60 μm | 60 × 60 μm / 36 μm | -20 V to +120 V |
“ScannerXX.Ultra” Closed-Loop Scanner Series
Unprecedented precision at ultra-low temperatures. By integrating a sub-nanoscale resolution capacitive displacement sensor, the Ultra series actively compensates for thermal drift, piezoelectric creep, and self-heating inside dilution refrigerators.
Capacitive Sensor
Direct feedback loop, closed-loop resolution of 0.5 nm
High Load Capacity
Up to 500 g load handling in Z-axis configurations
- Scanner25-x / z.Ultra (HV / UHV / ULT / UHV.ULT)
- Scanner35-xy / z.Ultra (HV / UHV / ULT / UHV.ULT)
Piezo Drive Electronics
Motion & Scanner Controllers
High-performance drive electronics with USB 2.0, RS232, and SPI interfaces. Full LabVIEW and Python API support.
MC-NewtonLT Series
Positioner Controller
Specifically designed to control coarse inertial stages (Linear, Rotator, Goniometer). Supports multiple channels with convenient switching between coarse stepping and fine analog scanning modes.
- • **Models:** MC-NewtonLT.01 (1 ch) and MC-NewtonLT.06 (6 ch)
- • **API Support:** LabVIEW, C++, Python
- • **Communication:** USB, RS232
MC-ArchimedesLT Series
Scanner Controller
Engineered for ultra-low noise control of piezoelectric scanning stages. Minimizes mechanical vibration through optimized analog amplifiers. Ideal for cryogenic SPM applications.
- • **Models:** MC-ArchimedesLT.03 (3 ch scanner driver)
- • **Interface:** SPI communication for slave-master sync
- • **Noise level:** Sub-millivolt output noise
MC-ArchimedesLT.03.Ultra
Closed-Loop & High Speed
Multi-channel closed-loop scanner controller designed for our Ultra capacitive sensor stages. Features synchronous closed-loop calculation at high speeds to suppress creep and drift.
- • **Sampling Rate:** 50 kSa/s data acquisition & feedback
- • **Sensor Input:** Dual capacitive sensor input channels
- • **Real-Time Communication:** EtherCAT, EtherNET, USB 3.0
Ecosystem & Integration
Accessories & Cryo-Integrations
Zolix provides all brackets, thermal links, non-magnetic hardware, and configurations required to install piezo stages directly onto cryostat cold fingers.
Cross-Mount Adapter Plates
Pure-Ti adapter plates for stacking different series positioners together (e.g. Linear16 on Linear25, Scanner16 on Rotator25). Non-magnetic screws included.
- AP.LT.L16z — Linear16-z mount
- AP.LT.L16x — Linear16-x mount
- AP.LT.R16 — Rotator16 mount
- AP.LT.S16 — Scanner16 mount
Right-Angle Mount Bracket
L-shaped Ti bracket for cross-mounting any positioner in vertical / horizontal orientation. Converts an XY stack into XZ, or side-mounts stages onto cryostat cold fingers.
Direct Optic-Table Mount
Direct optical-table mounting plate — connects MultiFields positioners to standard M6 / ¼"-20 optical table grids. Anodized aluminum for room-temperature setups, Ti version for cryogenic mounting.
Pin-Aligned Quick Mount
Alternative direct optical-table mount with integrated alignment pins for repeatable positioner placement. Pre-routed connector pin-out for fast cable swap between experiments.
Flexible Thermal Link
High-purity copper thermal braids keep the sample cold while the positioner moves in vacuum. Conducts heat away from the scanner stack without restricting translation or introducing mechanical strain.
Non-Magnetic Toolkit
Complete cryo-compatible installation kit: BeCu screws (M1.6 / M2, 30 mK & 35 T compatible), PA-standard connectors (2/3/4-pin), Peek UHV connector set, multi-function screwdriver, tweezers, USB driver + manual.
Integration in Cryostats
Zolix stages are natively designed for integration inside dilution cryostats, superconducting magnets, and vacuum chambers. Below are examples of operational mounting setups.
Multiaxis Cryogenic Tower
Concentric stacking of Linear and Goniometer stages creates a sub-nm XYZ-tilt platform on dilution refrigerators.
Superconducting Magnet Setup
Non-magnetic pure Titanium stages installed inside a 35 Tesla high magnetic field bore, working at He3 base temperatures.
STM/AFM Scanning Heads
Scanner Ultra series stages mounted directly beneath standard optical objectives, achieving closed-loop AFM scanning down to 10 mK.
tailored configurations
Need a custom stage mounting layout?
Our engineers and physicists work directly with your lab to design custom adapter brackets, select appropriate cabling, and advise on heat sinking techniques for dilution cryostats. No-obligation technical consultations available in the Netherlands.