THORLABS POLARIS-P20A Piezoelectric Actuator with Stainless Steel Bushing, ¼ Inch100 Adjuster User Manual

THORLABS POLARIS-P20A Piezoelectric Actuator with Stainless Steel

Bushing, ¼ Inch100 Adjuster

Product Information

POLARIS-P20A Adjuster

The POLARIS-P20A is a piezoelectric actuator with a manually adjustable 100 TPI screw and integrated piezoelectric element. The actuator is made of stainless steel and requires a machined bore to mount the bushing. The recommended load for the actuator is 100 N (22 lbs).

• Range: Not specified

• Resolution: Dependent on the power source used

• Load (Recommended): 100 N (22 lbs)

• Adjusters: Manually Adjustable 100 TPI Screw with Integrated Piezoelectric Element

• Piezo Control Voltage: 0 to 150 V

• Piezo Connectors: Male SMB

• Piezo Capacitance: Not specified

• Physical Specifications:

  • Mounting: Requires Machined Bore to Mount Bushing

  • Vacuum Compatibility: Epoxy Meets Low Outgassing Standards NASA
    ASTM E595 and Telcordia GR-1221

  • Operating Temperature: Not specified

Product Usage Instructions

When using the POLARIS-P20A, it is important to follow these principles:

1. Match Materials: Use components fabricated from the same material as the Polaris Adjuster and bushing pair (stainless steel) when mounting the actuator into a machined bore.
2. Minimize Deflection: Apply as little force as possible when making manual adjustments to minimize deflection caused by hand.
3. Machined Bore Dimensions: In order to mount the matched Stainless Steel Bushing provided with the POLARIS-P20A product, a custom counterbore needs to be machined into the desired retaining component with the dimensions and appropriate tolerances as shown in the PDF drawing provided. The thickness of the mating component needs to be less than the length of the bushing to ensure that the locking nut does not damage or mar the mating component.
4. Actuator Installation: Use 353NDPK oven-curable epoxy to glue the actuator bushing into the mating component (sold separately). Ensure that the actuator is removed from the bushing before oven-curing the glue. When pre-loading the actuator, ensure that the movable piston within the actuator that holds the ball bearing in front does not slide out.
5. Piezo Usage:
   • Disconnect Unused Channels: Disconnect the actuator from the piezoelectric controller if active stabilization is not needed to avoid undesired beam movement.
   • Connect Cables only when Power Supply is Off: Ensure that the power supply is off before connecting the SMB cable to prevent irreparable damage to the piezoelectric stacks caused by abrupt changes in voltage.
   • Use Gentle Voltage Steps: Apply relatively uniform input voltage (e.g., sine wave) to prevent irreversible damage to the piezoelectric actuator caused by abrupt charging or discharging.
   • Stay within Control Voltage Range: Only apply voltages within 0 – 150 V range to avoid irreversible damage to the piezo.

Specifications

POLARIS-P20A

Adjuster Specifications
Range| Mechanical: 0.375″ (9.53 mm) Piezo: 17.0 µm (Min), 21.0 µm (Max)
Resolution| Mechanical: ~0.26 mm/rev Piezo: ~0.013 µm for a 0.1 V Stepa
Load (Recommended)| 100.0 N (22 lbs)
Adjusters| Manually Adjustable 100 TPI Screw with Integrated Piezoelectric Element
Piezo Control Voltage| 0 to 150 V
Piezo Connectors| Male SMB
Piezo Capacitance| 0.35 µF
Physical Specifications
Mounting| Requires Machined Bore to Mount Bushing (See Drawing Below)

Vacuum Compatibility

| 10-9 Torr at 25°C with Proper Bake Out 10-5 Torr at 25°C without Bake Out

Grease Vapor Pressure: 10-13 Torr at 20°C, 10-5 Torr at 200°C; Epoxy Meets Low Outgassing Standards NASA ASTM E595 and

Telcordia GR-1221

Operating Temperature| -25 to 85 °C

Drawing

Notes:
The actuator must be removed from the bushing when gluing it into the mating component.
The thickness of the mating component should be shorter than the length of the bushing.
Please see the PDF drawing for important manufacturing tolerances.

POLARIS-P20A Usage Tips

When using the POLARIS-P20A, it is important to follow a few principles:

1. Match Materials: Due to its relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion, stainless steel was chosen as the material from which to fabricate the Polaris Adjuster and bushing pair. When mounting the POLARIS-P20A into a machined bore we recommend using components fabricated from the same material.
2. Try to Minimize Deflection Caused by the Hand while Adjusting: When making manual adjustments, we recommend applying as little force as possible.
3. Machined Bore Dimensions for Actuator Bushing Retention: In order to mount the matched Stainless Steel Bushing provided with the POLARIS-P20A product, a custom counterbore needs to be machined into the desired retaining component with the dimensions and appropriate tolerances as shown below. The thickness of the mating component needs to be less than the length of the bushing to ensure that the locking nut does not damage or mar the mating component.
4. Actuator Installation: The 353NDPK oven curable epoxy is a good match for gluing the actuator bushing into the mating component (sold separately). Ensure that the actuator is removed from the bushing before oven-curing the glue. When pre-loading the actuator, ensure that the movable piston within the actuator that holds the ball bearing in front does not slide out.
5. Actuator Replacement: This actuator can be used as a replacement actuator in the POLARIS-K05P2 Ø1/2″ Piezo Mount. We recommend using the lock nut included with the Ø1/2″ mount as the POLARIS-LN1 Lock Nut included with this actuator is larger and will extend beyond the edge of the mount’s back plate.

Piezo Usage Tips

1. Disconnect Unused Channels: If active stabilization using the actuator is not needed, then it is not necessary to connect it to a piezoelectric controller. Any noise on the electrical connection may cause an undesired movement of the beam.
2. Connect Cables only when Power Supply is Off: The piezoelectric stacks may be irreversibly damaged by abrupt changes in the applied voltage. In order to prevent such damage, ensure that the power supply is off before connecting the SMB cable.
3. Use Gentle Voltage Steps: Abrupt charging or discharging of the piezoelectric actuator may cause it irreversible damage. Ensure that any input voltage is relatively uniform (e.g. sine wave).
4. Stay within the 0 – 150 V Control Voltage Range: Applying voltages less than 0 V (negative voltages) or greater than 150 V may cause irreversible damage to the piezo.
5. Handle with Care: Piezoelectric materials are ceramic in nature, and therefore are relatively brittle as compared to common optomechanics. Hence, they are sensitive to shock forces. Do not drop the actuator or place it in a box without protective cushioning.

November 3, 2021 TTN239049‐S01, Rev A www.thorlabs.com/contact

References

• Thorlabs, Inc. - Your Source for Fiber Optics, Laser Diodes, Optical Instrumentation and Polarization Measurement & Control

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