Microscopy and Analysis - July 2015
Minus K isolator for electron microscopes and more
By: Rebecca Pool
Minus K Technology has released a compact, high-capacity, low-frequency negative-stiffness isolator designed to support heavy payloads while reducing low-frequency vibrations.
The new
LC-4 isolator comes in several capacity ranges to match vibration-sensitive instruments such as SPMs, AFMs, STMs, micro-hardness testers, profilers, interferometers, electron microscopes and other imaging systems, for weight loads from 1 to 130 lbs.
The LC-4 comes in two versions (Low Freqency Horizontal, and Ultra-Low frequency Horizontal).
Both versions can deliver a vertical natural frequency of 0.5 Hz or less, which can be achieved over the entire load range.
Horizontal natural frequency is load dependent. The Low Frequency version has a 1.5 Hz natural frequency, while the Ultra-Low Frequency version can achieve 0.5 Hz or less near the nominal loads.
As with all Minus K isolators, the LC-4 is completely passive, using no air or electricity.
The new isolators can be combined into multi-isolator systems to support heavier payloads while taking up very little room themselves (4.75" wide x 4.75" deep x 7" high).
The LC-4 isolators can be placed inside OEM equipment as needed enabling the systems to achieve much better isolation, and can be customized to achieve user-specific needs.