The PZ 2000 series stage top plates are designed to provide a high resolution, and highly repeatable Z position of the microscope stage. The top plate of the stage accepts standard K size slide inserts that are available for any sample, i.e., slides, petrie dishes, multi-well plates, etc. The slide insert is moved in the Z axis via a piezo element with a range of 150 µm with nanometer accuracy (300 µm & 500 µm range are also available). By moving the sample in the Z plane, any objective can be used, eliminating twisting wires or needed spacers as required when a piezo element is put onto a single objective.

The piezo top plate is built into the PZ-2000 series stage, so no special installation steps are required for the top plate option. The stage is mounted on the microscope according to the instructions in the MS2000 Instruction manual. The cable from the piezo-Z stage should be plugged into the connector on the MS2000 controller labeled PZ STAGE. An appropriate stage insert should be inserted into the opening in the stage top. The insert should slip neatly into the top, being held in place by flat springs on two sides of the insert.