Abstract:
We disclose a precision positioner based on an inertial actuator, an optical instrument for accurate positional readout and control, and an electrostatically clamped assembly for holding any instrument or device. All aspects of the present invention present a significant improvement over the prior art: a positioner is robust and compact; an optical instrument for positional control is a profoundly simple and compact module; a clamping assembly is self-aligning and suitable for robotic hot-swapping of objects being positioned.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention related to the field of high-precision positioning. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of piezo-driven inertial positioners. Another aspect of this invention relates to field of accurate determination of position by the principle of light interference and position-sensing light detectors. Another aspect of this invention relates to positioners integrated with optical instruments for the purpose of accurate control of position and motion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     High-precision positioner is an enabling component of many scientific and industrial instruments. Such instruments are widely used in a variety of fields, for example, in optical microscopy and spectroscopy, electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, nanotechnology, wafer inspection, microassembly, optical fiber alignment methods in optoelectronics, and many others. 
     A design of one known type of such positioner is disclosed in the 1993 World Intellectual Property Organization Publication WO/1993/019494 by Shuheng Pan. Described therein is a piezoelectric step positioner. This positioner comprises six shear-piezo actuators that hold a movable element. Motion can be achieved in two different ways: by slip-stick actuation or by locomotion. Different arrangements effecting linear, x-y planar, and rotational motion are described. This device is reliable, rigid, and capable of performing in many environments. However, when used for the design of a multi-axis positioner, this invention lacks optimal implementation of several necessary functions, as follows. The embodiment of the invention that comprises a stack of two or three independent single-axis positioners lacks compactness which limits the rigidity, and thus the performance of the instrument. Another embodiment of Pan&#39;s invention provides simultaneous motion in two dimensions, but such motion is not independent along Cartesian axes and makes the readout of coordinates difficult. 
     Another type of positioner relevant to our invention is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,527 by Karrai. This positioner is arranged in such a way that a movable member is set in motion by a stick-slip mechanism, the driving motor of which is the extending and contracting piezo-stack. The preferred embodiment of this invention allows a compact multi-axis positioning assembly, but such assembly is not rigid enough for many applications, for example, its low mechanical resonant frequency limits its use in scanning probe microscopy. This invention does not teach a method of measuring coordinates of a movable member. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,427 Park et al. disclose an optical setup for measuring xyz coordinates of a movable cartridge carrying a scanning microscope probe. The cartridge is affixed to the top of a piezoelectric tube having multiple electrodes Application of appropriate voltages across the electrodes, produces displacement in the plane of the top surface (xy) and along the axis of the tube (z). In this prior art, displacements x and y of the cartridge are measured by the spot where a probing beam of light impinges on a 4-quadrant photodetector positioned in the xy plane. Axial displacement z is measured separately requiring two additional bi-cell photodetectors positioned along z axis, and two additional probing beams of light. The resulting setup is quite complex and difficult to manufacture, as it requires a complicated alignment. An alternative instrument that reads all three coordinates while requiring a single beam of light and a single detector affixed to the movable element would be a clear advantage over this prior art. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an improved three-dimensional positioning instrument integrated with a reliable instrument for accurate determination of coordinates: compact and rigid, applicable to a variety of uses, cost-efficient, and straightforward to machine and assemble. Sufficient rigidity is necessary for achieving mechanical resonant frequency on the order of 10 kHz or higher, which will make the instrument ideally suited for probe microscopy, micro-manipulation and nano-lithography. For example, such instrument will enable scanning probe microscopy with atomic resolution in a real-world environment, where mechanical vibrations are not entirely suppressed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     We invented an instrument for precise positioning of objects using an inertial actuator and an optical instrument for accurate determination of the object position in 3 dimensions. The micro-positioner is compact and rigid with the lowest mechanical resonant frequency in excess of 10 kHz. The optical instrument for position readout and control is a compact interferometric module comprising a position-sensing detector as one of the arms of the interferometer. A single incident beam of light is required for position readout in 3 dimensions in all disclosed embodiments of the instrument. We further invented a mounting assembly suitable for carrying and swapping a microdevice or a sample by a disclosed positioner or another instrument. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which roller containing surfaces comprise a guiding groove disposed in the moving platform. In this embodiment the carrier clamps the platform to ensure the loaded frictional contact between sliding surfaces 
         FIG. 1   b . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which roller containing surfaces comprise a guiding groove disposed in the carrier. In this alternative embodiment the carrier clamps the platform to ensure the loaded frictional contact between sliding surfaces 
         FIG. 1   c . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which roller containing surfaces comprise a guiding groove disposed in the platform, and in which the base clamps the platform to ensure the loaded frictional contact between sliding surfaces 
         FIG. 1   d . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which roller containing surfaces comprise a guiding groove disposed in the base. In this alternative embodiment the base clamps the platform to ensure the loaded frictional contact between sliding surfaces 
         FIG. 1   e . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which a moving mechanism is a plurality of piezoelectric stacks 
         FIG. 1   f . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which a moving mechanism is a plurality of piezoelectric stacks and the frictional engagement is between the platform and a plurality of carriers 
         FIG. 1   g . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which a moving mechanism is a plurality of piezoelectric stacks and the frictional engagement is between the platform and a plurality of surfaces of piezoelectric stacks 
         FIG. 1   h . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which roller containing surfaces are formed in the platform and in the base 
         FIG. 1   j . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which cylinders are used as rollers housed in groves formed in a carrier of a single-axis positioner 
         FIG. 1   k . A schematic representation of an inertial single-axis positioner in which balls are housed between surfaces of the base and the platform. 
         FIG. 2 . An embodiment of a spring-loaded frame of the positioner 
         FIG. 3 . A graphical projection of a preferred embodiment of an inertial single-axis positioner 
         FIG. 4   a . A cross section of a positioner that translates a movable platform along the axis of a cylindrical interface of frictional engagement between the platform and the carrier, wherein a platform is inserted into a carrier 
         FIG. 4   b . A view of the positioner represented in  FIG. 4   a ; actuator and the spring member are not shown to reveal rollers and guiding grooves 
         FIG. 4   c . A view of the positioner represented in  FIG. 4   a ; actuator is not shown to reveal a spring member 
         FIG. 4   d . A cross-sectional representation of an alternative embodiment of a positioner that translates a movable platform along the axis of a cylindrical interface of frictional engagement between the platform and the carrier, wherein a carrier is inserted into a platform 
         FIG. 5 . A graphical projection of a preferred embodiment of a three-dimensional positioner comprising a stack of single-axis positioners 
         FIG. 6 . A graphical projection of another embodiment of a three-dimensional positioner comprising a stack of single-axis positioners 
         FIG. 7 . An example driving voltage signal applied to a piezoelectric inertial actuator suitable for effecting slip-stick translational motion 
         FIG. 8   a . A schematic representations of three-axis position-sensing apparatus that measures the electric output of a quadrant photo detector to determine coordinates in the plane of the photo detector, and measures beam interference signal to determine the out-of-plane coordinate. 
         FIG. 8   b . A schematic representations of three-axis position-sensing apparatus that measures the electric output of a position-sensing photo detector to determine coordinates in the plane of the photo detector, and measures beam interference signal to determine the out-of-plane coordinate. 
         FIG. 8   c . An alternative embodiment of a beam-collimating lens and a semi-reflecting planar mirror 
         FIG. 8   d . An alternative embodiment of a beam-collimating plurality of curved mirrors and a semi-reflecting curved mirror 
         FIG. 9  A view of the interferometric instrument for measuring coordinates of the platform of the last positioner in the stack with respect to the base of the first positioner in the stack of a three-dimensional positioner shown in  FIG. 5   
         FIG. 10  A view of the interferometric instrument for measuring coordinates of the platform of the last positioner in the stack with respect to the base of the first positioner in the stack of a three-dimensional positioner shown in  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 11 . Two graphical projections of a mounting assembly comprising a receiving member and a device holder 
         FIG. 12 . A graphical projection detailing a receiving member of a mounting assembly 
         FIG. 13 . A graphical projection detailing a device holder of a mounting assembly 
         FIG. 14   a . A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting assembly comprising spring loaded electrodes formed in a holder and receptacle electrodes formed in a receiving member 
         FIG. 14   b . A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting assembly comprising spring loaded electrodes formed in a receiving member and receptacle electrodes formed in a holder 
         FIG. 14   c . A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting assembly comprising spring loaded electrodes formed in a holder and pad-like electrodes formed in a receiving member, and separate guiding elements 
         FIG. 14   d . A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting assembly comprising spring loaded electrodes formed in a holder and pad-like electrodes formed in a receiving member, and separate spring-loaded guiding elements 
         FIG. 14   e . A cross-section of an alternative embodiment of a mounting assembly comprising spring loaded electrodes formed in a holder and pad-like electrodes formed in a receiving member, and conical guiding surfaces. A holder of this embodiment viewed in the direction facing its clamping electrode 
         FIG. 14   f . A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting assembly not requiring electrical connection to a clamping electrode formed in the holder 
         FIG. 14   g . A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting assembly wherein clamping is effected by applying electric field across ring or frame-like electrodes 
         FIG. 15 . An exemplary mounting assembly carrying a probe and affixed to a positioner 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     We now turn to the detailed description of this invention. 
     I. An Inertial Positioner 
     In  FIG. 1   a  through  FIG. 4   a  series of embodiments of a single-axis inertial positioner is presented. Turning to  FIG. 1   a , the represented positioner is an essentially rigid construction comprising a frame having as frame elements: a base  1 , a carrier  2 , and an inertial actuator  4  which is disposed on base  1  of the positioner; further comprising a movable platform  3  to which an object to be positioned is affixed. Base  1  may be a platform of another positioner, or any other suitable rigid object. One surface of the actuator is bonded to the base, while the other surface is bonded to the carrying element. In this invention, a preferred embodiment of an inertial actuator  4  is a piezo-electric actuator, more preferably a stack of piezo-electric elements. Less preferred embodiments of an inertial positioner comprise a magnetostrictive or an electromagnetic actuator. 
     The piezo-electric actuator  4  is supplied with electrical contacts so as to apply voltage causing sheer stress to the actuator. The waveform of applied voltage is chosen in such a way as to move the carrier  2  with respect to the base  1  fast enough to cause a slipping motion of the platform  3  with respect to the carrier along the interface  6 ; and then to retract the carrier to bring it back to a starting position with respect to the base slowly enough for the platform to remain at rest with respect to the carrier. An example of a suitable waveform is presented in  FIG. 7 . Such process is routinely referred to as the “slip-stick” motion. 
     The positioner further comprises a plurality of constraining surfaces  5  housing a plurality of rollers  7  which are capable of rolling between said surfaces. The rollers are pressed against the platform to ensure that the motion of the platform is along the direction set by containing surfaces; and to further ensure a loaded frictional contact of the carrier and the platform along the common interface  6 . A preferred roller is ball-shaped; another preferred roller is cylindrical. Possible embodiments of rollers are not limited to spherical balls and cylinders; other shapes and arrangements known in the art of rolling bearings may be used in a positioner of this invention. Containing surfaces may be formed by guiding grooves  5 , as represented in  FIG. 1   a  through  1   g.    
     One containing surface may be the surface of the carrier  2 , as represented in  FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 1   b.  In another embodiment, such surface is the surface of the base  1  of the positioner, as represented in  FIG. 1   c  and  FIG. 1   d.    
     Two embodiments of a positioner with guiding grooves  5  disposed in the platform are represented in  FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 1   c . In another embodiment represented in  FIG. 1   b , a guiding groove is disposed in the carrier. In yet another embodiment represented in  FIG. 1   d , a guiding groove is disposed in the base. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of guiding grooves may be disposed in one or more of the elements comprising a positioner: a base, a carrier, and a platform. 
     A piezo-electric actuator  4  may be a stack of sheer planar piezos  4   a  or a plurality thereof, as shown in  FIG. 1   e . In an embodiment represented in  FIG. 1   f  a plurality of carriers  2 , each mounted onto and rigidly attached to surfaces of piezo stacks, is disposed in a frictional engagement with the platform  3 . In yet another embodiment represented in  FIG. 1   g  the frame of a positioner is comprised of a base and a plurality of piezo stacks without a separate carrier; the frictional engagement is made directly between surfaces of piezo stacks  4   a  and the platform  3 . The advantage of the last embodiment is the increased compactness and rigidity of a positioner. 
     Numerous other embodiments of an inertial positioner will be immediately obvious to anyone skilled in the field. Another example from a multitude of embodiment within the scope of this invention is shown in  FIG. 1   h . In this embodiment, containing surfaces  5  are formed in the platform  3  and in the base  1 , and a plurality of carriers  2  is mounted onto and rigidly attached to surfaces of piezo stacks  4   a.    
     Yet another example of an embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   j  comprises cylindrical rollers  7   a  housed in a plurality of grooves formed in a carrier  2 . In yet another embodiment of a positioner represented in  FIG. 1   k  spherical balls  7  are housed and rolling in a space formed by containing surfaces of base  1  and platform  3 . 
     Rollers employed in these embodiments for the purpose of aligning the motion of the platform along the direction set by containing surfaces and creating a loaded frictional contact between the platform and a frame, can be machined from a number of rigid materials, such as alumina, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, or another refractory material, preferably the ones having Vickers hardness exceeding 1000 MPa. Surfaces of frictional engagement may formed by alumina, sapphire, titanium, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and various ceramics. Inertial positioner in this invention is preferably a piezoelectric stack positioner made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or lithium niobate crystals (LiNbO3). 
     A base or a carrier of the positioner may be supplied with a spring-loaded mechanism, the function of which is to allow tuning the pressure on the interface between the carrier and the platform. Similarly, a carrier may be supplier with such spring-loaded mechanism. By varying this pressure, the shape of the voltage pulse required to cause a slipping motion of the platform with respect to the carrier, may be adjusted to specification. By way of example and not by way of limitation, a spring-loaded mechanism is represented in  FIG. 2 . According to this embodiment, a carrier  2  is comprised of a first element  2   a , a second element  2   b  disposed to make a slip-fit contact to the first element, brought into contact with the first element by a plurality of screws  2   c , spring-loaded by tightening a plurality of spring elements  2   d . By turning the screws one achieves the target pressure between the carrier and the platform along the common interface  6 . It will be obvious to anyone ordinarily skilled in the art of mechanical design that many spring-loaded arrangements will allow tuning the pressure on the interface between the carrier and the platform, and that such arrangements will fall into the scope of the present invention. 
     A graphical projection of a single-axis positioner wherein roller-containing surfaces comprise guiding grooves disposed in the carrier is presented in  FIG. 3 . 
     An interface of frictional engagement  6  can be a planar surface. In another embodiment, said interface comprises a cylindrical portion. One such embodiment is represented in a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4   a . Base  1  is a block onto which a piezoelectric actuator  4  is rigidly mounted. Actuator  4  is preferably a stack of hollow piezo elements allowing the insertion of a hollow carrier  2  rigidly attached to the actuator  4 . In a less preferred embodiment, the actuator  4  is a piezo tube. Platform  3  is inserted into the carrier and makes contact to it along interface  6  between the cylindrical outer surface of  3  and cylindrical inner surface of  2 . By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, grooves  5  are disposed in the platform  3 ; each housing a ball  7 . A spring element  2   d  presses on the balls  7  and thereby provides a pressure between the carrier and the platform along their common interface  6 . 
     A graphical projection of the positioner of  FIG. 4   a  is shown in  FIG. 4   b . The spring member and the piezo stack are not shown in this figure so as not to obscure guiding grooves  5  and balls  7 . The spring member  2   d  in  FIG. 4   c  is inserted into the carrier  2  and is held in place by retainers  8  formed in the carrier  2 . The spring member  2   d  is pressing on balls  7  disposed in grooves  5 , ensuring a loaded frictional contact between the platform and the carrier. 
     Another embodiment of a positioner having an interface of frictional contact comprising a cylindrical portion is represented in  FIG. 4   d . Here frictional engagement is created between the inner surface of platform  3  and the outer surface of carrier  2  inserted into platform  3 . 
     Two single-axis positioners can be stacked together by rigid attachment between a platform of a first single-axis positioner and a base of a second single-axis positioner, resulting in an instrument for positioning an object in 2 dimensions. Three invented single-axis positioners can be stacked together by rigid attachment between a platform of a first single-axis positioner and a base of a second single-axis positioner, and further between a platform of a second single-axis positioner and a base of a third single-axis positioner resulting in an instrument for positioning an object in 3 dimensions. The platform of a first single-axis positioner may serve as a base of a second single-axis positioner, and similarly, the platform of a second single-axis positioner may serve as a base of a third single-axis positioner. Two embodiment of such instrument are presented in the graphical projection in figures  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . The preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5  comprises two positioners in which common interface of frictional engagement is planar, and another positioner in which said interface comprises a cylindrical portion. 
     The advantage of multi-axis positioners obtained by stacking single-axis positioners disclosed above is their compactness and rigidity. The latter property is important for achieving high mechanical resonant frequencies on the order of or higher than 10 kHz. For example, at a mechanical resonant frequency of 50 kHz, which is attainable in a multi-axis positioner assembled from disclosed single-axis positioners, the platform is capable of translational motion at a typical speed of 1 mm/sec. Rigidity is also necessary for achieving the desired insensitivity to ambient mechanical vibrations. Low profile of a positioner is important for attaining rigidity and is achieved by choosing height of an inertial positioner between 0.1 and 0.75 of the square root of the product of its footprint. 
     The invention of a positioner disclosed herein is not limited to geometries illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . It will be appreciated by anyone skilled in the art of positioning instruments that a multitude of other embodiments comprising an inertial actuator and rollers which are employed to press on an interface of frictional engagement between a moving element and a frame element of a positioner will fall into the scope of this invention. 
     II. An Optical Instrument for Determining Coordinates 
     Another aspect of the invention is the optical instrument for determining coordinates to enable position control. A preferred embodiment of an optical position-measuring apparatus is represented in  FIG. 8   a . In this embodiment, the apparatus requires substantially one beam of light, preferably a laser light, to probe all coordinates in a 3-dimensional space. Turning to the representation in  FIG. 8   a , a beam of light  10  is emanating from the collimating lens  9  which is coupled to an optical fiber  15 , at a direction normal to the surface of a quadrant (4-cell) position-sensitive light detector  11   a . The collimating lens  9  is preferably a gradient refractive index lens or another collimating optical element or a plurality thereof. A reference beam  10   r  resulting from reflection of beam  10  by the inside surface of the collimating lens, or by a separate element with a semi-reflecting surface, is directed toward the analyzer  13 . Probing beam  10   p  is resulting from reflection of beam  10  by the surface of the detector  11   a  and is thus directed to reenter the fiber  15  and to interfere with the reference beam  10   r . Hence, partially reflective surface of the quadrant light detector  11   a  plays the role of a sensing arm, while partially reflective surface of the collimating lens  9  plays the role of a reference arm of the interferometric part of this apparatus. The intensity of interfering beams  10   r  and  10   p  depends on phase accumulation caused by displacement of the detector  11   a  with respect to the fiber end; and hence the position of the photo detector  11   a  along the axis of the fiber end can be inferred by the analyzer  13 . The center of a photo detector with respect to x,y position of the light spot formed on the surface of the detector by the incoming beam  10  can be inferred from its electrical signals at electrodes  12 . 
     Another embodiment of a position-measuring apparatus is represented in  FIG. 8   b . In this embodiment, the position-sensitive photodetector is a continuous rectangular light detector  11   b,  operating on the basis of current spreading. The photocurrent generated by the incoming beam  10  is spreading to electrodes  12  along resistive paths defined by the location of the spot where beam  10  impinges on the detector  11   b , thus relating voltage outputs at electrodes  12  of the detector to its x,y position with respect to the fiber end. 
     A disclosed instrument for position readout and control comprises a probing beam of light  10 , a position-sensing detector  11   a , and an interference analyzer  13 . This enables determination of all 3 coordinates of the photo-detector  11   a  with respect to the fiber end. 
     Alternative embodiments for creating a probing beam and a reference beam are shown in  FIG. 8   c  and  FIG. 8   d . In  FIG. 8   c  a conventional lens  16  is used for beam collimation and a separate planar element with a semi-reflective surface  14  is introduced to create a reference beam reentering the fiber  15 . In  FIG. 8   d  a spherical mirror with a semi-reflective surface  14  is introduced to reflect diverging light emanating from a fiber end back into the fiber, thus creating a reference beam, while the collimation of light emanating from a fiber end is achieved by two curved mirrors  17   a  and  17   b  as shown schematically in  FIG. 8   d . These alternative embodiments require precise alignment and are therefore less preferred than those represented in  FIGS. 8   c  and  8   d.    
     The advantages of the disclosed instrument illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  with respect to the existing position-sensing instruments are many. The number of components comprising the position-measuring apparatus is minimal: a single source of collimated light is required for positional readout and control in all 3 dimensions; a single position-sensitive photodetector for reading x and y coordinates also serves as a sensing arm of a fiber interferometer for reading z. 
     Furthermore, integration of such instrument with a positioner is straightforward, as illustrated by graphical projections in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . An integrated instrument is a stack of single-axis positioners; and an interferometric/position-sensitive module for coordinate readout and control disclosed above. The x and y positioners which are shown in  FIG. 5  are omitted in  FIG. 9  for clarity of representation of the position-measuring apparatus. A collimating lens  9  is affixed to the base  1   x  of the first positioner in the stack, while the position-sensitive photodetector  11   a  is disposed at the right angles with respect to the direction of the probing beam  10  and is affixed to the platform  3   z  of the last positioner in the stack. Thus, the optical module is reading the position of the platform  3   z  with respect to the base  1   x . A preferred embodiment represented in  FIG. 9  is characterized by compactness and small footprint, in part due to enclosing an optical module for determining coordinates within a 3-axis positioner. 
     III. A Mounting Assembly 
     Another aspect of the current invention is a mounting assembly. A disclosed assembly may be suitable for carrying various objects on a platform of a positioner disclosed above. An assembly comprises a receiving member, possibly affixed to a platform of a mechanical stage or a positioner; and a holder that may carry a variety of objects, for example, a scanning probe for SFM, STM or other microscopy; a micromanipulator; a micro-machined SEM; a microdispenser, a micro- or nano-indenter, and many other types of samples, probes or devices. If voltage is applied across electrodes formed in the holder and the receiving member, which are brought into close proximity of each other, an electrostatic clamping force is created between these electrodes, holding the assembly together. Further, electrode pairs are formed in the holder and the receiving member. These can be insertion electrodes of the pin-receptacle type, pogo pin type electrodes, or other similar electrode pairs. Input and output terminals of a device carried by the holder can be permanently connected to holder-side electrodes; when a holder and a receiving member are joined to form an assembly, the connection between these terminals and electrodes on the receiving member is made, facilitating control or probing of the carried device. Electrode pairs of insertion type ensure alignment between the holder and the receiving member. Alternatively, separate aligning elements may be formed in the assembly. 
     An exemplary electrostatically clamped mounting assembly comprising a receiving member  18  and a holder  19  is represented in two graphical projections in  FIG. 11 . In one embodiment, a receiving member  18  comprises a plurality of electrically conductive pins and a plurality of clamping electrodes disposed on a preferably insulating surface. Such receiving member may be affixed to the platform  3   z  of a last positioner in a positioner stack comprising a three-axis positioner, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in  FIG. 9 . or to any other suitable carrier, stage, positioner, robotic arm or a pick-and-place tool. 
     Holder  19  comprises a plurality of receptacles for making electrical connection to the conductive pins of the receiving member  18  and a plurality of clamping electrodes disposed on its insulating surface. In this embodiment one pin-receptacle pair is necessary for clamping action. For example, a pin electrode formed in the receiving member may be electrically connected to a source of electric field. A receptacle in the holder corresponding to this pin electrode is connected to a clamping electrode of the holder. A clamping electrode on the surface of the receiving member may be grounded. Alternatively, a clamping electrode on the holder surface may be grounded. Application of electric filed between clamping electrodes on the receiving member side and on the holder side results from insertion of the pin into the receptacle, effecting attractive force between clamping electrodes and securely clamping the holder to the receiving member. 
     Another pin-receptacle pair may be used for making electrical connections to an object mounted on the holder, which may be a scanning probe, a manipulator, a dispenser, a micro-machine, an optical probe, an indenter, or any other suitable device. 
     Now turning to the preferred embodiments of a receiving member and a holder presented in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , respectively, a plurality of clamping electrodes  24  is disposed on the electrically insulating surface  23  of the receiving member, and similarly, a plurality of clamping electrodes  24 ′ is disposed on the electrically insulating surface  23 ′ of the holder. A layer of an insulator, preferably made from a high dielectric permittivity material, covers clamping electrodes  24  of the receiving member. In another embodiment of the mounting assembly, an insulating layer, preferably a high dielectric permittivity material, covers clamping electrodes  24 ′ of the holder. 
     Spring members  22  aid reliable electrical and mechanical contact between pin  20  and the conducting inner surface of receptacle  25 ; and pin  21  and inner surface of receptacle  26 , respectively. Pins and receptacles provide alignment of holder  19  and receiving member  18  with respect to each other during insertion, minimizing tilt and rotational (in-plane) misalignment. In this embodiment, receptacle  26  formed in the holder is wired to clamping electrodes  24 ′. Pin  21  of the receiving member is permanently connected to clamping electrodes  24 . When the assembly is put together, pin  21  is inserted into receptacle  26 . By applying a potential difference between electrodes  21  and  24  of the receiving member, the electric field is created between electrodes  24  and  24 ′, effecting electrostatic clamping of the holder to the receiving member. 
     While pin  21  is used to engage electrostatic clamping, pin  20  can be used for applying electrical signals to or measuring characteristics of the carried object via electrical connection to receptacle  25  if this receptacle is wired to a terminal of said object. 
     A receiving member can be affixed to a platform of an inertial positioner, providing a convenient way of securely locking the holder to the platform, and allowing either manual or automatic swapping of various devices mounted on holders by disengaging electrostatic clamping. Such automatic swapping can be achieved, for example, by a robotic arm or an automated picking and placing tool. Further, a receiving member of the mounting assembly affixed to a platform of a three-axis positioner can play a role of a picking and placing tool. For example, a worn probe or a microdispenser, or another device disposed on a holder of the assembly may be removed from the work area, disengaged and discarded or stored, then a new device on a holder may be picked up by the receiving member by reengaging electrostatic clamping, a brought into the work area. This embodiment has an additional advantage of allowing automatic swapping of holders safely, away from the work area by retracting the holder over a macroscopic distance. This is possible because the available throw of the positioner disclosed above substantially exceeds 1 mm. 
     As an alternative to an embodiment represented in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , one or more pins may be disposed on the holder while the corresponding receptacles may be formed in the receiving member. The number of pin-receptacle pairs in the disclosed mounting assembly can be as many as necessary for applying electrical signals to or probing an object carried by the holder. 
     Another embodiment of a mounting assembly is shown in a cross-sectional representation in  FIG. 14   a . Receptacle electrodes  25   a  formed in the receiving member and spring-loaded electrodes  28  formed in the device holder have guiding surfaces  30  that guide the holder into receiving member during insertion. In this present embodiment guiding surfaces are conical. A variety of surfaces having a guiding function will be immediately obvious to anyone ordinarily familiar with mechanics: they may comprise spherical, cylindrical, pyramid-like, or more complex shapes. A electrical potential difference is provided by a source  29  between a guiding electrode in the receiving member  25   a  and a spring loaded electrode  28  formed in the holder; the latter electrode is permanently wired to a clamping electrode  24 ′ which is brought into close proximity of clamping electrode  24 , thus creating electrostatic clamping of the holder to the receiving member. Polarity of the source  29  is inessential and is such as shown by way of example only. A layer of insulating material  27 , preferably made of a high permittivity dielectric or a piezoelectric, is disposed on the clamping electrode  24 . In an alternative embodiment a layer of electrically insulating material  27  is covering a holder-side clamping electrode  24 ′. Another pair of electrodes  25   a  and  28  may be used for transmitting electrical signals between the receiving member  18  and a device carried by the holder  19 . Not all available pairs of electrodes  25   a - 28  necessarily provide guiding of the holder into receiving member during insertion. For example, all but two electrode pairs may be such that their receptacle electrodes are substantially flat and therefore do not have guiding function. 
     Guiding surfaces disclosed above make the mounting assembly particularly suitable for automated holder placement, by reducing sensitivity to placement inaccuracy such as misalignment, in-plane rotation, and tilt. For example, a picking and placing tool that carries a holder by vacuum suction could place it over a receiving member with an offset, which will be corrected by self-aligning function of guiding surfaces. 
     Another embodiment of a mounting assembly comprising a holder and a receiving member, wherein electrodes  25   a  are formed in a holder  19 , while spring-loaded contacts  28  are formed in a receiving member  18  is represented in  FIG. 14   b . Guiding surfaces  30  guide the holder into receiving member during insertion. 
     In another embodiment of a mounting assembly represented in  FIG. 14   c  electrode pairs comprising pad-like electrodes  25   b  do not have a guiding function. Instead, guiding, alignment, and minimization of in-plane rotational placement inaccuracy during joining of the assembly is provided by separately formed guiding elements having surfaces  30 . By way of example, surfaces  30  of this embodiment are concave and convex pairs, preferably spherical. Many other types of guiding surfaces comprising spherical, conical, cylindrical, planar, and combinations thereof, as well as other shapes fall within the scope of this invention. Guiding surfaces  30  may be formed on spring-loaded guiding members, as represented in  FIG. 14   d.    
     Yet another embodiment of an assembly capable of minimizing inaccuracy of placement during joining of the assembly is represented in  FIG. 14   e . Guiding surfaces having conical shapes  30  are formed by standoffs on the holder side and corresponding cutouts in the receiving member. 
     Yet another embodiment of a mounting assembly is represented in  FIG. 14   f . In this embodiment clamping of the holder  19  to the receiving member  18  is achieved by applying a potential difference between split electrodes  32  formed in the receiving member. As a result of capacitive coupling between electrodes  32  and  32 ′ the electric field and the associated with it clamping force is created between holder and receiving member. Since an electrical connection to holder-side electrode  32 ′ is not necessary in this embodiment, all available electrode pairs  28 - 25   a  can be used for applying electrical signals to or probing the carried object. 
     In yet another embodiment of a mounting assembly clamping electrodes  24  and  24 ′ have a frame or ring-like shape, as shown in a cross-sectional representation of the assembly in  FIG. 14   h . A similarly shaped insulating layer  27  covers a clamping electrode  24  on the receiving member of the assembly. In an alternative embodiment, insulating layer  27  covers a holder-side clamping electrode  24 ′. This embodiment is particularly useful if a line of sight to an object carried by holder  19  is desirable, for example, for optical probing of said object. Light can be guided through transparent path, for which purpose optional cutouts  18   h  and  19   h  can be made in the assembly. 
     Many other embodiments of the disclosed mounting assembly will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art of the field of this invention. Embodiments which are capable of making electrical connection to an object mounted onto a holder, clamping of a holder to a receiving member electrostatically, and maintain alignment between parts of an assembly, will fall within the scope of this invention. Other less preferred ways of creating a clamping force are possible, for example, clamping may be effected magnetically. 
     Embodiments of a mounting assembly disclosed above are suitable for automatic handling by a robotic tool. For example, a device on a holder may be picked up by a robotic arm and discarded after use or picked up and removed from the receiving member for further analysis, and a new device on another holder can be brought in and clamped to a receiving member. For another example, a positioner of the present invention with a receiving member attached to it may discard a worn device by unclamping its holder, move to another location, and pick up a new device on a holder by reengaging clamping. 
     Figures illustrating embodiments of a mounting assembly show a holder above a receiving member by way of example. Orientation of the assembly in space is inessential to its operation and can be chosen to suit a particular application. An exemplary mounting assembly in  FIG. 15  comprises a receiving member  18  disposed above a holder  19  which is affixed to a positioner  33 . Holder  19  carries a probe  34  that may have one or more electrical terminals. An example terminal is electrically connected by wire  35  to a holder-side electrode  25   a . When the holder and the receiving member are joined to form an assembly, a signal may be applied to or read from device  34  by connecting to electrode  28  formed in the receiving member, as shown in this figure. Another electrode  28  is used to apply clamping voltage to the assembly, as shown. In this example, clamping electrode  24 ′ on the surface of holder  19  is grounded when the holder is joined to the receiving member. Positioner  33  in this example is a 3-axis positioner disclosed above, but other types of positioners may be used to position the mounting assembly. 
     It should be noted that a 3-axis positioner with an integrated optical positioning control instrument preferred embodiments of which are shown in  FIG. 9  or  FIG. 10  in combination with a disclosed mounting assembly make up a tool ideally suited for in-situ replacement of worn or contaminated probes in scanning probe microscopy, and for numerous other applications. Any application requiring compactness, rigidity and precision of positioning, as well as hot-swapping of micro-machined instruments, probes or arrays of probes, micro-manipulators, microdispensers, or other devices—where reproducible return after swapping is necessary, will greatly benefit form this invention. A probing station comprising a positioner with an integrated optical positioning control instrument of the present invention or a plurality thereof, may be used for a variety of tasks, for example, to characterize using a scanning probe sub-microscale devices, nanoassemblies or molecules.