LaserTable-Base™ offers an extraordinary level of improvement over existing technology in the amount of vibration isolation attainable with an Optical Table. Typically, optical tables are supported by low-frequency pneumatic vibration isolation systems. Though very effective at isolating high frequencies, these passive systems actually amplify vibration in the critical 1 to 3 Hz range.

TMC's STACIS technology overcomes these limitations through proprietary technology which incorporates piezoelectric actuators and inertial vibration sensors to cancel, not amplify, very low frequency vibration. LaserTable-Base combines these two technologies, air and STACIS, into one integrated cancellation system. The result is vibration cancellation at very low frequencies and unprecedented levels of high frequency isolation due to the combined effect of two isolation systems in series.

The upper, pneumatic portion of LaserTable-Base is modular and interchangeable. It can incorporate TMC's Gimbal Piston or MaxDamp air isolators, or rigid, non-isolating supports, depending on the application requirement.

Performance

Combining the low frequency, passive MaxDamp® air isolators with a piezoelectric active vibration cancellation system in series results in an overall transmissibility curve that is the sum of the two individual transmissibility curves. The resultant vibration isolation performance is so dramatic that over some frequency ranges, we are limited by measurement instrumentation noise floors. And unable to measure and demonstrate full isolation performance. That is, above 10-12 Hz, the actual performance of the combined system is expected to exceed that shown since the combined isolation is theoretically the sum of the isolation provided by the two sub-systems.

2,000 lbs (907 kg) payload tested with simulated vibration at VC-A (2,000 μin./s, 50 μm/s)