The M1500V sensor is vented and constructed with vacuum compatible materials and designed for a 48 hour bake out at 150°C.

M1500V Mercury™ Series Cabled Encoders

High-Performance Optical Encoder for Ultra-High Vacuum Motion Systems

The Mercury™ M1500V is a compact optical incremental encoder engineered for high-precision positioning in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments. Designed for semiconductor manufacturing, scientific instrumentation, electron microscopy, and advanced research equipment, it combines exceptional accuracy with a miniature form factor and industry-leading vacuum compatibility.

Its integrated interpolation electronics simplify system design while delivering reliable digital position feedback without requiring external signal processing hardware. The vented sensor construction and vacuum-compatible materials allow operation in environments up to 10⁻⁸ Torr, making it ideal for demanding vacuum motion applications.


Key Features

  • Designed for ultra-high vacuum applications up to 10⁻⁸ Torr
  • Vacuum-compatible materials with 48-hour bake-out at 150°C
  • Compact sensor measuring only 20.6 × 12.7 × 8.4 mm
  • Integrated interpolation electronics
  • Digital A Quad B output with Index
  • Resolutions down to 0.5 μm (linear)
  • Rotary resolutions up to 655,000 CPR
  • Excellent alignment tolerance for fast installation
  • Low power consumption minimizes thermal drift
  • Compatible with both linear and rotary glass scales

Typical Applications

  • Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
  • Wafer inspection systems
  • Electron microscopy
  • Vacuum robotics
  • Precision positioning stages
  • Scientific research equipment
  • Metrology systems
  • Photonics manufacturing
  • Cleanroom automation

Technical Specifications

FeatureSpecification
Encoder TechnologyOptical Incremental
OutputDigital A Quad B with Index
Resolution (Linear)5 μm to 0.5 μm
Resolution (Rotary)Up to 655,000 CPR
Maximum Rotary Speed13,000 rpm
Linear SpeedUp to 7.2 m/s
Vacuum Rating10⁻⁸ Torr
Bake-Out Rating150°C for 48 hours
Dimensions20.6 × 12.7 × 8.4 mm
AccuracyUp to ±1 μm (linear), ±2 arc-sec (rotary)