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High Precision Tip/Tilt Mechanisms Direct and Keep Laser Beams Precisely on Target

Physik Instrumente (PI) brings its world-leading expertise in dynamic photonics alignment and fast beam steering technology for space.  This builds on PI’s on experience in building ultra-precision optic positioners for deep-space applications and leverages its capabilities for rapid scaling to economically accommodate emerging LEO and HAPS applications. With operations on three continents through eleven subsidiaries, the company’s fast piezo and voice-coil technologies have been selected for terrestrial and space projects since the 1990s, including the Solar Orbiter, a joint project between NASA and ESA. PI is ISO 9001 certified since 1994.


Access award winning solutions to achieve high-performance:

Reliable high quality components from a broad technology pipeline
Flexibility and Customisation
High throughput and accuracy, synchronised control of multiple axes
Standard configurations - fast delivery times
Plug and play for fast commissioning
Global support and servicing for high reliability and uptime

Where Others Stop, We Just Get Started!

When it comes to your future, nothing may remain impossible. That is why, we are already working today on the solutions for tomorrow. And as we do so, we can look back with pride at 50 successful years of company history during which, together with our customers, we have repeatedly pushed the boundaries of what is technically possible. As a multitechnology provider, we rely on an ever-evolving patent and technology portfolio that is unparalleled. We consolidate our claim with three complementary areas of expertise: PIEZO TECHNOLOGY, NANO POSITIONING, and PERFORMANCE AUTOMATION.

Making the seemingly impossible possible.

Trust the difference!


Proven Solutions for Outer Space Application

Piezoelectric or electromagnetic tip/tilt mirrors (FSM = Fast Steering Mirrors) can provide angular resolution down to the nanorad range with a mechanical bandwidth up to the kHz range. They are compact, fast, and accurate enough to compensate for the disturbances that are common in these applications. While piezo-driven FSMs offer a higher resolution and bandwidth, electromagnetic units (usually voice coil FSMs) allow larger displacements. In order to fulfill the entire spectrum of requirements for the application, PI offers both types of mechanisms, in a standardized design and application-specific configuration.

PI's fast tip/tilt mirror technology has been used in both terrestrial projects and space missions since the 1990s.  For example, in the Solar Orbiter, a joint project between NASA and ESA, a PI beam stabilization system is in use and on its way to the sun. PI offers efficient and fast designs based on piezoelectric or electromagnetic drives – and also offers many years of experience in quickly scaling to large quantities.

PI's solutions include a large number of standardized tip/tilt systems as well as customer-specific developments. 

Driving innovation, discovering new ways to support, transferring great ideas into reality is a core driver of PI.

Contact PI UK

For more information about PI’s positioning and motion control solutions, contact your local PI applications engineer by filling in the form below.