Cryogenic Piezo Motors

Capabilities
PCN24
PCN30
Contact

About

PCN cryogenic piezo motors provide compact, reliable nanopositioning at low temperatures and in magnetic-field environments.

Available as single-axis components or complete XYZ stages, they are designed for integration into OptiDry cryostats, superconducting magnet setups, cage systems, and custom sample holders.

The PCN family includes the compact PCN24 for constrained sample spaces and the PCN30 for higher load capacity, longer travel, and more rigid positioning assemblies.

PCN Motor Range

PCN24 Z

Close-up of a piezzo motor, gray and orange piezoelectric motor component mounted on a metal base with an orange wire connected to it.

PCN30 S

A hand with index finger extended near a piezo motors for nano positioning at low temperature with square shapes and multiple holes

PCN30 S

Close-up of a hand holding a piezzo motor, showing its movement and extencion

PCN30 S

A stack of three MyCryoFirm piezzo motors mounted on a round metal base, with thin copper wires extending from the sides, placed on a wooden surface against a plain white background.

PCN24 XYZ assembly

A stack of three MyCryoFirm piezzo motors

PCN24 XYZ assembly

Close-up of a stack of MyCryoFirm piezzo motors showing positionning

PCN24 XYZ assembly integrated into a 7 T magnet sample holder

PCN24 XYZ assembly

Close-up of a stack of MyCryoFirm piezzo motors

PCN24 XYZ assembly integrated into a 7 T magnet sample holder

Close-up of a piezo control panel on a MyCryoFirm device, featuring knobs and buttons labeled for X, Y, Z axis frequency, selection modes, continuous and one step voltage controls, and indicators for +5V and -5V.

PCN power supply

Close-up of a piezo motor mounted with a superconducting magnet

PCN30 XYZ assembly integrated into a 3 T magnet with an RF probe configuration

OptiDry 375 equipped with four PCN30 assemblies for an RF probe configuration

Key capabilities

Stick-slip inertia motors for cryogenic positioning

Operation tested down to 1 K

Magnetic-field compatibility and titanium construction

Open-loop step and continuous motion

Single-axis or complete XYZ stage configurations

Integration with sample holders, regulation blocks and cage systems

Compatible with OptiDry cryostats and magnetic-field environments

3D model of a stack of piezzo motors shown alongside two technical drawings with measurements: one side view shows dimensions 44 mm length, 25 mm height, and 14 mm depth; one top view shows 30 mm width, 25 mm height, multiple hole placements with 6.5 mm and 17 mm spacings, and hole specifications 8 x M1.6 screws, 2 mm deep.

Technical drawing and 3D render of a piezzo motors showing various views and dimensions in millimeters

Technical drawing and 3D rendering of a piezzo motor with multiple circular holes and dimensions labeled, including 30mm width and 25mm height.

Our piezo solutions

PCN24

Compact nanopositioners for constrained cryogenic environments

PCN24 motors provide compact nanopositioning where space is limited, including cage systems, sample holders and high-field magnet environments. Their small form factor enables XYZ motion close to the sample, even in compact superconducting magnet configurations inside OptiDry platforms.

Typical configurations include:
• PCN24 X for horizontal motion
• PCN24 Z for vertical motion
• Compact XYZ assemblies
• Integration into cage systems and sample holders

Piezo motor device on a white surface with an attached thin cable covered in a patterned sleeve, casting a shadow.

PCN30

Higher-load nanopositioners for rigid positioning assemblies

The PCN30 range is designed for higher-load, more rigid cryogenic positioning, with longer travel than the PCN24. The PCN30 S can be used horizontally or vertically, and three PCN30 S motors can be stacked to build a rigid XYZ stage. The PCN30 L provides 22 mm of horizontal travel, with custom longer-travel versions available on request.

Typical configurations include:
• PCN30 S for horizontal or vertical motion
• 3 × PCN30 S for rigid XYZ stage
• PCN30 L for 22 mm horizontal travel
• Custom long-travel versions on request

PCN24

Two views of piezzo motors for XYZ positioning

PCN24 Z and PCN24 X

Key features

Cryogenic operation
Designed for low-temperature environments, including operation down to 1 K.
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Magnetic-field compatibility
Suitable for experiments requiring sample motion under magnetic field.

Compact XYZ positioning
PCN motors can be assembled into compact XYZ stages for horizontal and vertical sample motion inside limited cryogenic spaces.
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Open-loop stick-slip motion
Stick-slip inertia motion provides nanometric step motion in open-loop mode, with step size depending on load and operating conditions.
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Custom sample integration
Stages can be combined with sample holders, regulation blocks, cryogenic thermometers, heaters and experiment-specific mechanical interfaces.

Specifications

Motion

Motion principle:
Stick-slip inertia

Orientation:
PCN24 X: horizontal;
PCN24 Z: vertical

Travel range:
PCN24 X: 8 mm;
PCN24 Z: 10 mm

Step size:
50 nm typical; down to 20 nm under optimized conditions

XYZ configuration:
PCN24 motors can be combined into compact XYZ stages

Load

PCN24 X: 250 g horizontal

PCN24 Z: 100 g vertical

Electrical

Drive voltage: 0–300 V

Control:
Open-loop step and continuous mode

Power supply unit:
Included with the stage

Environment

Operating temperature:
Tested down to 1 K

Magnetic-field compatibility:
Tested up to 7 T

Typical integration:
Cryostats, sample holders, cage systems, and magnet assemblies

PCN30

piezo motor with a perforated mounting plate and a flexible attached ribbon cable on a white background.

PCN30 S

Key features

Cryogenic operation
Designed for low-temperature environments, including operation down to 1 K.
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Higher load capacity
Designed for heavier sample assemblies, the PCN30 range supports vertical loads of 250 g with the PCN30 S and horizontal loads above 500 g with the PCN30 L.

Rigid positioning architecture
The PCN30 S provides improved mechanical stiffness, helping reduce vibration transmission in the positioning assembly.
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Same motor for horizontal and vertical motion
The PCN30 S can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientations. Three PCN30 S motors can be stacked to create a compact and rigid XYZ stage.
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Long-travel horizontal version
The PCN30 L provides 22 mm horizontal travel. Custom long-travel versions above 22 mm can be proposed on request.

Open-loop stick-slip motion
Stick-slip inertia motion provides nanometric step motion in open-loop mode, with step size depending on load and operating conditions.

Specifications

Motion

Motion principle:
Stick-slip inertia

Orientation:
PCN30 S: horizontal or vertical
PCN30 L: horizontal only

Travel range:
PCN30 S: 14 mm;
PCN30 L: 22 mm;
extended travel available on request

Step size:
50–80 nm typical, depending on load and operating conditions

XYZ configuration:
Three PCN30 S motors can be stacked to create a rigid XYZ stage

Load

PCN30 S: 250 g vertical

PCN30 L: >500 g horizontal; not recommended for vertical operation

Electrical

Drive voltage: 0–300 V

Control:
Open-loop step and continuous mode

Power supply unit:
Included with the stage

Environment

Operating temperature:
Tested down to 1 K

Magnetic-field compatibility: Tested up to 7 T

Typical integration:
Cryostats, sample holders, cage systems, and magnet assemblies

Choosing between PCN24 and PCN30

Requirement

Need a cryogenic Nanopositioners?

Tell us about your sample size, required travel, load, temperature range, magnetic-field environment, optical access, and integration constraints.
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Our team will help identify the right PCN motor or positioning stage for your setup.

Cryogenic
Nanopositioners