Importance

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Abstract

The invention comprises a compact substantially frictionless positioning device for guiding the motion of an object accurately along one or two axes. The object is supported on a pair of parallel motion solid hinges disposed either side of the axis of motion, each hinge comprising two flexible arms disposed in one plane. Springs are provided at one end of each hinge arm to permit the movement of the object along the axis and to restore it to its rest position when the displacing force is removed. Preferably the hinge arms and the springs are of rectangular cross-section to confine the motion of the object to one plane without the need for additional guides. The displacing force may conveniently be provided by an electromagnetic drive motor, the stator of which may be mounted on a further double parallel motion solid hinge assembly to minimize the change in the center of gravity which would otherwise occur when the object is displaced. A two axis device can be made by mounting a second positioner on the movable part of the first. A variety of forms of the device are possible, facilitating this combination. The positioning device is especially suitable for use as an x-y scanner in scanning microscopy, and may be used for mounting the acoustic lens on the turret of a combined imaging optical and scanning acoustic microscope.

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First Claim