# Renaissance Scientific — Full Product & Technical Reference

> Ultra-high resolution cryogenic nanopositioners for quantum computing, photonic circuits, quantum optics, and scanning probe microscopy.

Renaissance Scientific designs and manufactures precision cryogenic nanopositioners and controllers for researchers working at temperatures below 1 K. Based in Boulder, Colorado, we serve the quantum computing, photonic, and nanoscience communities worldwide.

Website: https://www.ren-sci.com
Quote requests: https://www.ren-sci.com/quote
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/renaissance-scientific/

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## Product Catalog Overview

Renaissance Scientific offers the following product categories:

| Category | Products |
|---|---|
| 3-Axis Nanopositioners | NP-145-XYZ, NP-240-XYZ, NP-340-XYZ, NP-450-XYZ |
| Single-Axis Nanopositioners (X) | NP-145-X, NP-240-X, NP-340-X, NP-450-X, NP-1000-X |
| Single-Axis Nanopositioners (Z) | NP-145-Z, NP-240-Z, NP-340-Z |
| 6-DOF Nanopositioner | RenSci 6D (Beta) |
| Rotary Positioner | RP-340 |
| Cryogenic Scanners | CryoScan-XY, CryoScan-XYZ |
| Controller | NP-Drive |

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## Universal Specifications (All Nanopositioners)

All Renaissance Scientific nanopositioners share these core specifications:

- **Operating Temperature**: < 1 K to 350 K
- **UHV Compatibility**: 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mBar
- **Magnetization**: < 10 nT
- **Bakeout Temperature**: 120 °C
- **Drive Voltage & Frequency**: ±300 V & 10–2000 Hz
- **Actuator Drive Current (Cryo)**: 1 mA
- **Position Encoder**: ACAP™ Differential Capacitance Sensor
- **Sensor Power**: ~ 100 nW
- **Minimum Incremental Motion**: 20 nm
- **Repeatability (Unidirectional)**: < 200 nm
- **Position Resolution**: < 10 nm (varies by model)
- **Construction**: Titanium body, ceramic ball and vee-groove bearings
- **Non-magnetic, no lubricants**
- **Field-replaceable piezo actuators** (two spares per axis included)

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## Nanopositioner Comparison Table

### 3-Axis (XYZ) Models

| Spec | NP-145-XYZ | NP-240-XYZ | NP-340-XYZ | NP-450-XYZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Travel Range** | 3 mm per axis | 5 mm per axis | 12 mm XY / 5 mm Z | 20 mm XY / 5 mm Z |
| **Step Size** | < 20 nm | 20 nm | 20 nm | 20 nm |
| **Sensor Resolution** | — | < 10 nm | < 20 nm | < 10 nm |
| **Payload (Cryogenic)** | 100 g | > 100 g at 4 K | > 100 g at 4 K | 100 g |
| **Footprint (L × W × H)** | 14.5 × 14.5 × 50 mm | 24 × 24 × 50 mm | 34 × 34 × 50 mm | 45 × 45 × 44 mm |
| **Repeatability** | 200 nm | 200 nm | 200 nm | < 200 nm |
| **Datasheet** | [PDF](https://www.ren-sci.com/np-145-xyz.pdf) | [PDF](https://www.ren-sci.com/np-240-xyz.pdf) | [PDF](https://www.ren-sci.com/NP-340-xyz.pdf) | [PDF](https://www.ren-sci.com/NP-1000-X%20and%20NP-450-X.pdf) |
| **Product Page** | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-145-xyz) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-240-xyz) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-340-xyz) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-450-xyz) |

### Single-Axis X Models

| Spec | NP-145-X | NP-240-X | NP-340-X | NP-450-X | NP-1000-X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Travel Range** | 2.5 mm | 5 mm | 12 mm | 20 mm | 50 mm |
| **Step Size** | 20 nm | 20 nm | 20 nm | 20 nm | 20 nm |
| **Sensor Resolution** | < 10 nm | < 10 nm | < 10 nm | < 20 nm | < 10 nm |
| **Payload (Cryogenic)** | 50 g | > 100 g at 4 K | > 100 g at 4 K | > 100 g at 4 K | > 100 g at 4 K |
| **Footprint (L × W × H)** | 14.5 × 14.5 × 10 mm | 24 × 24 × 12 mm | 34 × 34 × 12 mm | 45 × 45 × 12 mm | 100 × 80 × 14 mm |
| **Repeatability** | — | 200 nm | 200 nm | 200 nm | < 200 nm |
| **Product Page** | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-145-x) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-240-x) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-340-x) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-450-x) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-1000-x) |

### Single-Axis Z Models

| Spec | NP-145-Z | NP-240-Z | NP-340-Z |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Travel Range** | 2.5 mm | 5 mm | 5 mm |
| **Step Size** | 20 nm | 20 nm | 20 nm |
| **Sensor Resolution** | < 10 nm | < 10 nm | < 10 nm |
| **Payload (Cryogenic)** | 50 g | > 100 g at 4 K | > 100 g at 4 K |
| **Footprint (L × W × H)** | 14.5 × 14.5 × 20 mm | 24 × 24 × 20 mm | 34 × 34 × 26 mm |
| **Repeatability** | — | 200 nm | 200 nm |
| **Product Page** | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-145-z) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-240-z) | [Link](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-340-z) |

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## Product Family Details

### NP-145 Series — Ultra-Compact

The NP-145 is the smallest nanopositioner in the lineup with a 14.5 × 14.5 mm footprint. Designed for the most space-constrained cryogenic environments.

- **Best for**: Ion trap quantum computing, photonic chip coupling, fiber alignment in tight cryostat bores
- **Available in**: XYZ (3-axis), X (single-axis), Z (single-axis)
- **Key advantage**: Smallest footprint while maintaining < 20 nm step size and cryogenic compatibility

### NP-240 Series — Versatile Mid-Size

The NP-240 offers a balance of compact size (24 × 24 mm) and 5 mm travel per axis with 100 g payload capacity.

- **Best for**: Quantum optics, confocal microscopy sample positioning, multi-axis cryogenic stages
- **Available in**: XYZ (3-axis), X (single-axis), Z (single-axis)
- **Key advantage**: Versatile workhorse with excellent travel-to-footprint ratio

### NP-340 Series — Extended Range

The NP-340 provides 12 mm XY travel in a 34 × 34 mm footprint — more than double the NP-240 range.

- **Best for**: Larger optical assemblies, multi-element sample stages, scanning probe microscopy
- **Available in**: XYZ (3-axis), X (single-axis), Z (single-axis)
- **Key advantage**: Extended travel range with higher rigidity for > 100 g payloads at 4 K

### NP-450 Series — Large Travel

The NP-450 delivers 20 mm XY travel, combining two NP-450-X positioners with an NP-240-Z for Z-axis.

- **Best for**: Large-area scanning, multi-sample stages, applications requiring extended lateral reach
- **Available in**: XYZ (3-axis), X (single-axis)
- **Key advantage**: 20 mm travel while maintaining sub-nanometer resolution

### NP-1000-X — Ultra-Long Range

The NP-1000-X provides the longest travel in the lineup at 50 mm in a 100 × 80 mm footprint.

- **Best for**: Long-range translation, large sample positioning, applications requiring maximum lateral reach
- **Key advantage**: 50 mm travel — longest range available, with closed-loop repeatability

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## RenSci 6D — 6 Degrees of Freedom (Beta)

Product Page: https://www.ren-sci.com/rensci-6d
Datasheet: https://www.ren-sci.com/RenSci%206D%20datasheet.pdf

The RenSci 6D delivers X, Y, Z, rotation, and tip/tilt positioning in a single integrated package.

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| X & Y Travel Range | 20 mm |
| Z Travel Range | 5 mm |
| Rotation Range (θ) | 315° |
| Rotation Resolution (φ) | 2 µrad |
| Tip/Tilt Range | ±4° (8° total) |
| Tip/Tilt Resolution | 2 µrad |
| Payload (Ambient) | ~100 g |
| Envelope (L × W × H) | 65 × 65 × 80 mm |
| Operating Temperature | < 1 K to 350 K |
| UHV Compatibility | 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mBar |
| Magnetization | < 10 nT |

**Note**: Specifications are preliminary and subject to change. Currently in beta — payload capacity under development.

**Key differentiator**: Eliminates the need for shimming by combining all six degrees of freedom in one compact, cryogenic-compatible package.

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## RP-340 — Cryogenic Rotary Positioner

Product Page: https://www.ren-sci.com/products/rp-340
Datasheet: https://www.ren-sci.com/RP-Rotator-series.pdf

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Rotation Range | 315° |
| Angular Resolution | 2 µrad |
| Drive Voltage & Frequency | ±300 V & 10–2000 Hz |
| Drive Current (Cryo) | 1 mA |
| Operating Temperature | < 1 K to 350 K |
| Bakeout Temperature | 120 °C |
| UHV Compatibility | 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mBar |
| Magnetization | < 10 nT |
| Position Encoder | ACAP™ Differential Capacitance Sensor |

**Best for**: Quantum optics polarization alignment, quantum twisting microscopy, angular positioning inside cryostats.

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## CryoScan-XYZ — Cryogenic Scanners

Product Page: https://www.ren-sci.com/products/cryoscan-xy (includes full variant comparison)

Flexure and mechanically amplified cryogenic XY and Z scanners for scanning probe microscopy (SPM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and confocal applications. Available in multiple configurations:

- **CryoScan Direct**: Direct-drive flexure scanner
- **CryoScan Amp**: Mechanically amplified scanner
- **CryoScan LR**: Long-range scanner

All variants share:
- Up to 100 µm travel
- Sub-nanometer resolution
- Non-magnetic and UHV compatible
- Operating temperature < 1 K to 350 K

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## NP-Drive Controller

Product Page: https://www.ren-sci.com/products/np-drive
Datasheet: https://www.ren-sci.com/NP-Drive%20datasheet.pdf

The NP-Drive is the universal controller for all Renaissance Scientific nanopositioners and scanners.

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Drive Channels | Up to 9 closed-loop |
| Preamplifier | 3 Channel or 9 Channel |
| Drive Voltage | ±300 V |
| Frequency Range | 10–2000 Hz |
| Local Interface | 10.1" Integrated Touchscreen |
| Remote Interface | Ethernet, TCP/IP |
| Control Protocol | JSON-RPC 2.0 |
| Position Readout | ACAP™ compatible |
| Readout Resolution | < 5 nm |
| Form Factor | 4U 19" Rack Mount |
| Dimensions | 17.25 × 18 × 7 in. |

**Configurations**: Open-loop, 3-channel closed-loop, 9-channel closed-loop.

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## Core Technology

### Low Current Drive
50–600 V at 100s of mA — 90× less energy than conventional piezo motors. This is critical for sub-4K cooling power budgets where every microwatt matters. The low current draw allows operation at millikelvin temperatures without exceeding the cooling capacity of dilution refrigerators.

### ACAP™ Capacitive Position Sensing
Area-variation capacitance for absolute position encoding with no physical contact between moving parts. Key characteristics:
- Sensor power: ~ 100 nW (negligible thermal load)
- Resolution: < 10 nm typical
- Differential measurement for noise rejection
- Absolute position — no homing required after cooldown

### Replaceable Actuators
User-exchangeable piezo actuators with two spares per axis included. No need to return the positioner to the factory — swap actuators in the field in minutes.

### Purpose-Built for Cryogenic Environments
- Engineered for thermal contraction across 350 K → < 1 K range
- Minimal friction bearings (ceramic ball and vee-groove)
- Strong thermal pathways for efficient thermalization
- No lubricants — all-dry operation
- Titanium body construction for thermal and mechanical stability

### UHV & Non-Magnetic by Default
All motors ship UHV compatible, bakeable to 120 °C, non-magnetic (< 10 nT), with no lubricants — included at no extra charge. This is not an upgrade option — it's standard on every unit.

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## Application Guide

### Ion Trap Quantum Computing
- **Recommended**: NP-145-XYZ or NP-240-XYZ for trap electrode alignment
- **Why**: Ultra-compact footprint fits inside cryostat bore, < 200 nm repeatability enables automated re-alignment after thermal cycling

### Photonic Quantum Computing
- **Recommended**: NP-240-XYZ or NP-340-XYZ for fiber-to-chip coupling
- **Why**: Sub-nanometer resolution for optical alignment, multi-axis positioning for angular and translational adjustment

### Quantum Optics & Confocal Microscopy
- **Recommended**: NP-340-XYZ or NP-450-XYZ with CryoScan for scanning
- **Why**: Extended travel for sample survey, scanner integration for imaging

### Quantum Twisting Microscopy
- **Recommended**: RP-340 rotator + NP-series positioner stack
- **Why**: µrad angular resolution for precise twist angle control in 2D material experiments

### Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM/AFM)
- **Recommended**: CryoScan-XYZ + NP-series for coarse approach
- **Why**: Sub-nm scan resolution with up to 100 µm range, non-magnetic for field-sensitive measurements

### Fiber-to-Chip Alignment
- **Recommended**: NP-145-XYZ or NP-240-XYZ
- **Why**: Compact 3-axis positioning with closed-loop repeatability for automated alignment routines

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## Selection Guide: Choosing the Right Positioner

**By footprint constraint**:
- Tightest space → NP-145 series (14.5 mm)
- Standard cryostat → NP-240 series (24 mm)
- More room → NP-340 series (34 mm)
- Large chamber → NP-450 / NP-1000 series

**By travel requirement**:
- ≤ 3 mm → NP-145
- ≤ 5 mm → NP-240
- ≤ 12 mm → NP-340
- ≤ 20 mm → NP-450
- ≤ 50 mm → NP-1000

**By payload**:
- ≤ 50 g → NP-145
- ≤ 100 g → NP-145-XYZ, RenSci 6D
- ≤ 1 kg → NP-240, NP-340, NP-450, NP-1000 (> 100 g at 4 K for 240/340/450/1000)

**By degrees of freedom**:
- 1 axis → NP-XXX-X or NP-XXX-Z
- 3 axes → NP-XXX-XYZ
- 6 DOF → RenSci 6D
- Rotation → RP-340

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## Partners

- **[RHK Technology](https://rhk-tech.com)** — SPM instrumentation partner. World-class UHV SPM instruments and control systems since 1981.
- **[Qnity](https://qnity.io/)** — European distributor for Renaissance Scientific cryogenic nanopositioners.

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## Pages

- [Home](https://www.ren-sci.com/)
- [Products](https://www.ren-sci.com/products)
- [RenSci 6D](https://www.ren-sci.com/rensci-6d)
- [CryoScan Comparison](https://www.ren-sci.com/products/cryoscan-xy)
- [Technology](https://www.ren-sci.com/about)
- [Partners](https://www.ren-sci.com/partners)
- [Request a Quote](https://www.ren-sci.com/quote)

## Contact

- Location: Boulder, CO, USA
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/renaissance-scientific/
- Quote requests: https://www.ren-sci.com/quote