Related Manuals for Alpes Lasers Cascade Laser Starter Kit
Summary of Contents for Alpes Lasers Cascade Laser Starter Kit
- Page 1 Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit Instructions Manual (Web version) CAUTION Before using the Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit, read this documentation and take special note of all safety instructions...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Contents 1 Identification 1.1 Document ..........1.2 Limited waranty . - Page 3 4.6.5 Laser peak voltage ........4.6.6 Average dissipation .
- Page 4 10 Appendix 10.1 Bias Circut (”Bias-T”) ........10.1.1 General .
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Page 5: Identification
Chapter 1 Identification Document Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit Instructions Manual. Web Version 3.1 02.07 Manufacturer Alpes Lasers SA 1-3 Passage Max-Meuron CP 1766 CH-2001 Neuchˆ a tel Tel. ++41 32 7299510 Fax. ++41 32 7213619 http://www.alpeslasers.ch info@alpeslasers.ch Limited waranty Alpes Lasers SA will accept no responsibility for problems arising out of incorrect use of the instrument. -
Page 6: General
The indications in the present Instructions Manual, in particular the safety instructions must be com- plied with. Compliance The Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit has been designed to meet all current safety at work and op- erating requirements. 2.3.1 Laser compliance The system described in this manual contains a laser device. -
Page 7: Glossary
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Glossary The following terms, among others, are used in this Instructions Manual. 2.4.1 Persons Personnel Personnel refers to all persons who carry out any activity with the instrumentation and meet the manufacturer’s requirements about personnel to run those activities and have been therefore authorized. -
Page 8: Typographic Conventions
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Typographic conventions The following styles are used in this manual. Description style This style, used in relation with a number in il- lustrations (figures) is preceded by the correspond- ing number: Example: (1) First item. (2) Second item. (3) etc... - Page 9 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Procedure effects style The procedure effects are described by using the following symbol →. Example: [1] Click on the Delete Sample icon. → The message Do you really want to delete the sample ? appears. Cross references style This style is used to help the personnel to find other information about the current subject.
- Page 10 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Note style Used when the personnel attention must be drawn to a particular operation or information. Example: Note: The laboratory housing LLH100 makes available two outputs giving access to these voltage. Caution style Used to prevent the personnel from any danger or hazardous situation.
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Page 11: Safety Instructions
Chapter 3 Safety Instructions Chapter overview This chapter sets out safety instructions for ensur- ing safe and trouble-free operation of the system described in this manual. Introduction 3.2.1 Principle The personnel must have read and understood this documentation before carrying out any activity what- soever with the system described in this manual. -
Page 12: General Safety Instructions
Starter Kit Instruction Manual General safety instructions • Never attempt to use a system for purposes other than those detailed in this manual. • Never attempt to use a system in conjunc- tion with other instruments without obtain- ing prior information and approval from the manufacturer. -
Page 13: Description
Chapter 4 Description Chapter overview This chapter gives a basic description of the Quan- tum Cascade Laser Starter Kit system and its com- position. System Composition The Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit is made up of the following items: (1) Laboratory Laser Housing (LLH100) -
Page 14: Dfb And Fp Quantum Cascade Lasers
Starter Kit Instruction Manual DFB and FP Quantum Cascade Lasers 4.3.1 Description Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) are unipolar lasers emitting in the mid-infrared from 4 to 17 microns. The laser is a ridge of InGaAs and AlInAs grown on InP providing gain and a Fabry-Perot cavity in order to build the laser oscillation up. -
Page 15: Specifications
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 4.3.3 Specifications Far field elliptical (FWHM): Vertical: ................60 Horizontal: . -
Page 16: Electrical Model
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 4.3.4 Electrical model The QCL can be modelised in a RC circuit. Electrical model characteristics The values given below apply for a 10µm laser wavelength. Note: Voltage and resistor values may vary according to the type of laser. R1 : . -
Page 17: Laboratory Laser Housing(Llh100)
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Laboratory Laser Housing(LLH100) 4.4.1 Description The Laboratory Laser Housing is a Thermo-Electric cooled box which encapsulates the Quantum Cas- cade Laser. The internal temperature is controlled by a PT- 100 sensor and heat is dissipated by air or water. The LLH100 is designed to ease the laser installa- tion or replacement. -
Page 18: Specifications
Starter Kit Instruction Manual LLH100 internal view The Laboratory Laser Housing includes the follow- ing items: (1) LLH100 top cover (2) PET U-shaped holder (3) Gilded copper contact (UP and DN) (4) Laser (5) Laser receptacle 4.4.2 Specifications Maximum Peltier current (with water cooling): . -
Page 19: Thermo-Electric Cooler (Tec) And Pt100 Connections
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 4.4.3 Thermo-Electric Cooler (TEC) and PT100 connections The pin 1 is recognised by a circle around it and a thin noon ended circle starts from pin one and turns around the pins until pin 6. (1) Pin 1: +Peltier element (2) Pin 2: - Peltier element (3) Pin 3: I+ PT100 (4) Pin 4: Sens + PT100... -
Page 20: Measurement Connection
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 4.4.4 Measurement connection These connections give access to the voltage on the laser. The ”L” connection is connected AC coupled to the cathode of the laser through a divider by ten. The end of cable must be 50Ω terminated for accu- rate measurement. -
Page 21: Qcl Pulser Switching Unit(Ldd100)
Starter Kit Instruction Manual QCL pulser switching unit(LDD100) 4.5.1 Description The switching unit is based on dedicated power MOS-FETS with up to 30A current compatibilities and 60V. In addition, the circuit is limited in power dissipation by the cooling of the unit. During op- eration, the temperature of the case should not ex- ceed 60C. -
Page 22: Qcl Pulse Switching Measuring Unit
Starter Kit Instruction Manual QCL pulse switching measuring unit 4.6.1 Generalities The measuring circuit contained in the LDD100 provides information about various laser pulse pa- rameters (peak voltages, supply voltages, duty cy- cle, frequency). They are only estimated values, since exact measurement of short and strong pulses with diodes and averaging circuitry is difficult. -
Page 23: Laser Peak Current
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Duty cycle calculation UPI can be used to calculate the duty factor as follows: 2UP I ν df = P low ν ν P high with v and v as above. P low P high To get the real duty cycle, df must be corrected as follows: dc = f df = f... -
Page 24: Laser Peak Voltage
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 4.6.5 Laser peak voltage The laser peak voltage is given by: = 2U LH U LL peak where U LL is the corrected peak value of peak ULL as calculated in the previous paragraph. 4.6.6 Average dissipation The average thermal dissipation of the laser is given P = U peak... -
Page 25: Qcl Pulser Timing Unit (Tpg128)
: ......TTL Maximum duty cycle: 50% (if larger cycles are needed, the LDD100 should be fed by an exter- nal 12V power supply, not the one provided in the TPG128, or else the fuse in the TPG128 may blow). Description Fig.10: QCL pulser timing unit... -
Page 26: Qcl Temperature Controller(Tcu151)
Starter Kit Instruction Manual QCL temperature controller(TCU151) 4.8.1 Description The TCU151 is used to control the laser’s temper- ature inside the Laboratory Laser Housing. It uses a PT100 sensor to measure the tempera- ture of the cold plate and maintains a pre-set tem- perature either from a front panel knob or from a user supplied voltage. -
Page 27: Installation
Chapter 5 Installation Chapter overview This chapter describes the installation and the con- nection of the QCL Starter Kit. It also explains the operating checks before the normal use. General The setup procedures outlined below must be fol- lowed meticulously to ensure that QCL Starter Kit operates correctly and safely. -
Page 28: Setting The Appropriate Ac Voltage On Tcu151
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Setting the appropriate AC voltage on TCU151 The TCU151 temperature controller works on 110/120V or 220/240V if the fuse holder is oriented in the ap- propriate position. Note: There are two rates: 110-120V, 60Hz (USA) 220-240V, 50Hz (Europe) 5.4.1 Procedure To set the appropriate voltage on the TCU151 tem-... -
Page 29: Installing The Starter Kit
The laser must be floating from ground for both anode and cathode. [2] Plug the low impedance line into the QCL pulser switching unit low impedance output (1) paying attention for the polarity. Fig.16: Installing the Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit Installation... - Page 30 TPG128 (9) Out 1 or Out 2 outptut. CAUTION ! The unit must be floating. [6] Plug the banana cables (8) (red and black) into the DC power supply unit. [7] Plug the LEMO connector (6) onto the LLH100 module (5) and the connector (7) onto the TCU151 unit.
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Page 31: Use
Chapter 6 Chapter overview This chapter describes how to use the QCL Starter Kit. It also explains the functionalities of the TPG128 and the Temperature Controller (TCU151). QCL pulse timing unit com- mand description The Quantum Cascade Laser is controlled by the QCL pulse timing unit TPG128. -
Page 32: Tcu151 Command Description
Starter Kit Instruction Manual TCU151 command description The internal temperature of the LLH100 is driven by the TCU151 unit. The Temperature Controler front and rear pan- els are composed of the following items: (1) Set Temperature 5 turns potentiometer: Allows to set the internal temperature refer- ence. -
Page 33: Laser Utilisation
• Start water flow to cool the LLH100. • Turn on the temperature controller and set the desired temperature. • Start the pulse generator. • Switch on the power supply. 6.4.2 Proceedings To use the Quantum Cascade Laser, proceed as fol-... - Page 34 (specified in the datasheet), zeroed and aligned. [8] Turn the HV power supply ON, then the TPG128 ON, and slowly increase the HV out- put voltage (but not higher than specified in the datasheet of the laser!) Fig.23: Starting the TPG128...
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Page 35: Interlock Utilisation
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Interlock utilisation The temperature controller is designed with an built- in interlock (1). This function is activated when a fault occurs on the TCU151 controller (over-temperature, over-current, etc.). The interlock is by default a NC (Normally Close) relay contact. -
Page 36: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Chapter overview This chapter sets out troubleshooting instructions for ensuring safe and trouble-free operation of the Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit system. Principle The personnel must have read and understood this documentation before carrying out any activity what- soever with the Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit. - Page 37 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Laser draws current but gives no light - The laser may be reversed polarized (it is not a desirable situation but does gen- erally not destroy the laser). √ Check the polarity of the connection. - The polarity is right. It draws too much current and the power meter is misaligned.
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Page 38: Maintenance
Chapter 8 Maintenance Overview This chapter describes all procedures of mainte- nance and calibration for the QCL starter Kit. The procedures described herein must be performed by personnel trained on the electronic field, with ac- ceptance by Alpes Lasers, otherwise the warranty will be lost. -
Page 39: Replacement Procedures
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Replacement procedures 8.2.1 Quantum Cascade Laser replace- ment Before beginning [1] Switch the QCL Starter Kit OFF Material needed • 1 set of Allen keys. • 1 ohmmeter. • 1 QCL laser. • a pair of tweezers. Procedure To replace the Quantum Cascade Laser, proceed as follows:... - Page 40 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Maintenance [4] Install the new laser (4) into the holder using small tweezers ( 0.5cm aperture). [5] Hold the laser (4) on the gilded ceramic pads with the tweezers pins along the axis of the largest length of the copper submount. [6] Place it in the receptacle parallel to the window.
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Page 41: Qcl "Up" And "Dn" Position Exchange
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 8.2.2 QCL ”UP” and ”DN” position exchange Before beginning [1] Switch the QCL Starter Kit OFF. Material needed • 1 set of Allen keys. • 1 ohmmeter. • 1 FP-QCL laser contact plate. • 1 pair of tweezers. Procedure To exchange the beam of a Quantum Cascade Laser, proceed as follows:... - Page 42 Starter Kit Instruction Manual [5] Place the screws (3) in the PET holder (4). [6] Place the PET holder (4) on the two guides (5) on the back of the laser receptacle (6) being careful of maintaining the PET holder higher on the laser side than on the back side.
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Page 43: Tcu151 Temperature Controller Interlock Setting
Starter Kit Instruction Manual TCU151 temperature con- troller interlock setting 8.3.1 Generalities The interlock is located on the main board. Note: By default, the interlock is set to NC (Nor- mally Close) contact. 8.3.2 Before beggining interlock set- ting [1] Switch the instrument OFF. [2] Unplug the power cord. -
Page 44: Calibaration Procedures
Starter Kit Instruction Manual Calibaration procedures 8.4.1 TPG128 calibration Generalities The present section describes procedure to be car- ried out for particular calibration of the TPG128. Before beginning [1] Switch the instrument OFF. [2] Remove the cover (1). [3] Switch the instrument ON. ! WARNING ! Keep in mind that dur- ing the calibration, the instrument is alive (powered on) - Page 45 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Maintenance [5] Choose the range 5 µs to 105 µs. Pot 10 turns Period on 10. Adjust the adjustable capacitor max 105 µs adj (4) in order to obtain a 105 µs long period. [6] Pot 10 turns Period on 0. Ajust the pot Period min adj (1) in order to have a period of 5 µs.
- Page 46 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Maintenance [12] Connect oscilloscope on the output Out1. Load with a 50Ω . Choose a repetition period of about 5 µs. [13] Pot 10 turns Duration on 10. Adjust capacitor Max duration (2) to have a output pulse of 200 ns +/-5 ns.
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Page 47: Tcu151 Temperature Controller Calibration
– TP1 (4) - GND (5): > 5 kΩ. – TP2 (6) - GND (5): < 4 kΩ. [2] Power on the instrument. [3] Check the +5V/-5V power supply volt- age. Note: The values should be: – TP1 (4) - GND (5): 4.95 to 5.2 V. - Page 48 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Sensing level and range adjustement [4] Replace the cable connected to J8 (4) with the 100Ω 1% reference resistor in the follow- ing way: Connect one side of the resistors to pins 1 and 2, the other side to pins 3 and 4. [5] Measure the voltage on Zn3/R10 (3).
- Page 49 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Temperature Reference offset adjustment [10] Adjust B13 (3) to 0.000 with P3 (4) [11] Set the temperature with the Set Tem- perature potentiometer (Fig.40 (7)) to +5 → The temperature reference signal B13 should be ≥4.3V [12] Set the temperature with the Set Tem- perature potentiometer (Fig.40 (7)) to -5 →...
- Page 50 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Oscillator check [15] Measure the frequency on the pin 7 of U13 (1). Note: The value is 28KHz + /- 3KHz Current/Voltage ratio adjustment [16] Adjust the trimmer P4 (6) in order to read B4 = 0.6V (4). [17] Set the selector (5) to mode Setting +I.
- Page 51 [24] Plug the external cable into the LLH100, and verify that the Pt100 is proprely mounted in the latter. [25] Use an external power supply (0-30VDC/3A) to simulate the internal power supply. [26] Limit the current to 200 mA and connect it to main board J1 connector (3).
- Page 52 25 by means of the Set Temperature 5 tuns portentiometer P8 (2). [29] On the external power supply, rise slowly the voltage to 30 V and the current to 1.5 A. → The tension should stabilize at 30 V...
- Page 53 Note: For 35 C, the voltage should be 350 ◦ External reference [43] Plug an external power supply to the Ex- ternal Reference BNC connector (6). [44] Set the voltage to 3.5 V. [45] Set the switch External/Internal (3) to External.
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Page 54: Application Notes
Chapter 9 Application notes Detection techniques 9.1.1 Direct absorption In a direct absorption measurement, the change in intensity of a beam is recorded as the latter crosses a sampling cell where the chemical to be detected is contained. This measurement technique has the advantage of simplicity. -
Page 55: Photoacoustic Detection
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 9.1.3 Photoacoustic detection In the photoacoustic detection, the optical beam is periodically modulated in amplitude before illumi- nating the cell containing the absorbing chemical. The expansion generated by the periodic heating of the chemical creates an acoustic wave which is detected by a microphone. -
Page 56: Appendix
(therefore a Bias-T is useless in CW mode). The current is drawn from the external (user supplied) power supply through the laser. This current can be controlled electrically. Since tuning of a QC laser is done by changing... -
Page 57: Specifications
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 10.1.3 Specifications Bias frequency ....Up to 100 Hz Achievable shift ......0.1% Input voltage U . - Page 58 Starter Kit Instruction Manual Dangers and disadvantages of using a Bias-T circuit • Since a Bias-T only allows to heat the laser, the emission wavelength can only be increased (or emission wavenumber decreased), and out- put power will decrease with increased Bias current, due to the additional heating.
- Page 59 Starter Kit Instruction Manual • As a rule of thumb, the overall dissipated power (sum of DC Bias current dissipation and pulse current dissipation) must never be higher than the average dissipated power given by the high- est current / voltage / temperature combina- tion specified in the datasheet.
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Page 60: Unpacking Ns Laser From Its Transportation Box
Starter Kit Instruction Manual 10.2 Unpacking NS laser from its transportation box Fig.54: Unpacking instructions for NS submounts Appendix...
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