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Developer's kit enables miniature two-axis beam steering

20th October 2015

Nat Bowers

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Datasheet

Designed for precise point-to-point beam positioning and dynamic scanning up to 100Hz, a beam steering developer's kit has been introduced by New Scale Technologies. The two piezoelectric rotary stages in the DK-M3-RS-U-2M-20-L developer's kit have a familiar galvo-scanner form factor but are only 12mm in diameter. A closed-loop controller is embedded in each tiny stage, making the complete system more than 25 times smaller than traditional systems with external controllers.

The built-in controller also simplifies system integration, enabling direct input of high-level motion commands from a system processor via standard digital (I2C, SPI, UART) or analogue servo interface.

Each smart stage rotates a pre-mounted aluminium-coated mirror ±20° at up to 1,100°/s with angular resolution of 0.05V (1mrad).

Patented piezoelectric motors along with position sensors, bearings, drive electronics and embedded firmware are all integrated into the miniature rotary stage. With only 3.3VDC input, it is suited for handheld and portable instruments. Applications include: medical lasers and imaging systems; industrial measurement and spectroscopy instruments; and laser printing and engraving.

The DK-M3-RS-U-2M-20-L beam steering developer's kit includes two rotary smart stages with embedded controllers and mounted mirrors, a 650nm collimated laser, brackets and base, a demo board and software for system evaluation and development. Developer's kits are available from New Scale Technologies at $3,450 with delivery in 8-12 weeks.

Components are also sold separately with volume pricing available. In 1,000 unit quantities, the rotary smart stage is $975 each and the standard mirror is $85.