Microtome having a piezoelectric linear actuator

A microtome for cutting thin sections, comprising:

• a sample holder (12) for receiving a sample to be microtomed,
• a cutting unit (16) for cutting the sample, and
• a drive unit for producing a feed movement between the sample holder (12) and the cutting unit (16) for setting the thickness of the sample sections,
• wherein the drive unit includes a piezoelectric linear actuator (50) for producing the feed movement;
• the piezoelectric linear actuator (50) includes a stator (52) and a runner (56) which is connected to the stator (52) via at least one piezoelectric element (54);
• the piezoelectric element (54) is adapted to be capable of linearly moving the runner (56) relative to the stator (52);
• and
• the piezoelectric element (54) is attached to the stator (52);
• and
• the runner (56) can be linearly moved by the piezoelectric element (54) relative to the piezoelectric element (54).