Vibration isolation platform

Minus K Technology vibration isolation tables are based on a patented negative stiffness technology. By reducing building and floor vibrations to unprecedented low levels, Minus K stages ensure optimal performance and highest precision when measuring with vibration-sensitive instruments and devices.

How they work:

The positive stiffness of the springs is compensated by a mechanism with negative stiffness, which reduces the overall stiffness to almost zero. Imagine an upright pendulum. The equilibrium is unstable because a deflection leads to a force away from equilibrium. The stiffness of the upright pendulum is therefore negative. Now springs from 4 different directions are attached to the top of the pendulum, which are tensioned until the pendulum is just stable. The stiffness is now positive, but minimal. Vibrations of the environment are transmitted to the pendulum only strongly damped. If the pendulum is still to carry a payload, the springs must be tightened slightly. The weight to be carried, e.g. of an interferometer or a scanning probe microscope, is therefore part of the negative-stiffness mechanism.

Fields of application

The vibration isolating stages are often used in the fields of nanotechnology, life sciences, semiconductors, materials research, spacecraft ground testing and high-end audio.

  • Microscopy (SPM, SEM, AFM, etc.)
  • Microhardness testing and nanoindentation
  • Lasers and optical systems
  • Ground testing for spacecraft
  • Biology and neurology
  • Microelectronics and MEMS fabrication
  • Cryostats
  • Analytical balances
  • Audio reproduction technology
  • Distributed Fiber optic sensing
  • Large displacement systems
  • Systems with large displacement volume
  • Heavy systems

In the OEM sector, the stages are often used by manufacturers of scanning probe microscopes, microhardness testers and other vibration-sensitive instruments and devices.
In addition, Minus K can also develop customized systems or modify the existing standard models.

ModelSize in mmPayload range in kgNatural frequency
BM-10310x310x1170 - 501,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
BM-8457x508x1174,5 - 115,51,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
BM-6457x508x1174,5 - 115,51,5Hz horizontal, 2,5Hz vertical
BM-4427x427x2160 - 930,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
BM-1610x572x21627 - 4760,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
BA-1610x572x21627 - 4760,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
CM-1200x200x21622,7 - 476,30,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
LC-4121x121x178/ 2035,4 - 591,5/ 0,5 Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
WS-4610x610-83827 - 4760,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
SM-1330x330x52150 - 19050,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertical
CT-1508x457x5719 - 70,52,25 horizontal, 0,5Hz vertikal
CT-2457x508x68,68,2 - 114,31,5Hz horizontal, 0,5Hz vertikal