Abstract: An optical microscope system includes an optics system and a frame. A selectively controlled stage assembly is coupled to the frame by vacuum-retained air-bearings. An air vacuum chuck coupled to the stage selectively aligns and supports an object-bearing slide for viewing with the optics system.

Abstract: An air vacuum chuck for a microscope includes a body member having a planar slide-supporting surface. Stop members are adapted to align a slide in a predetermined orientation. Air ports and vacuum ports in the slide-supporting surface selectively couple a relatively high pressure air reservoir and a vacuum reservoir, respectively, to the region between the slide-supporting surface and the object-bearing surface of the slide. The air ports are adapted to provide airflow directed towards at least one of the stop members. In an alignment mode, airflow from the air ports and vacuum from the vacuum ports establish a vacuum-retained air-bearing with a substantially frictionless coupling between a slide and the slide supporting surface. The vacuum from the vacuum ports controls the separation between the slide and the slide-supporting surface. The directed airflow imparts a net force on the slide, positioning the slide against the stop members.