THORLABS PM100USB Operation Manual page 21

not exceed the max. measurable power in order to avid saturation. Underrun-
ning the lower limit leads to increased measurement uncertainty due to noise
impact.
·
Max. Average Power Density must not be exceeded to avoid damages to the
sensor. For definition and calculation, please see section Calculations.
·
Max. Pulse Energy is an alternative specification to max. average power
density, which must not be exceeded. In case of the S15xC fiber sensors, the
max. pulse energy density is given. The reason is that fibers may have a very
small beam diameter at the fiber tip, leading to high energy densities. For
definition and calculation, please see section Calculations.
3. Integrating Sphere Sensors (S14xC Series) and Thermal Sensors
(S3xxC / S4xxC Series)
·
Optical Power Range specifies the minimum and maximum measurable
power. Exceeding the upper limit leads to sensor saturation and wrong meas-
urement results. If pulsed signals are measured, the pulse peak power must
not exceed the max. measurable power in order to avid saturation. Underrun-
ning the lower limit leads to increased measurement uncertainty due to noise
impact.
·
Max. Average Power Density must not be exceeded to avoid damages to the
sensor. For definition and calculation, please see section Calculations.
·
Max. Pulse Energy Density is an alternative specification to max. average
power density, which must not be exceeded. For definition and calculation,
please see section Calculations.
·
Max. Intermittent Power (2 min. Max.) can be applied to the sensor for max.
2 minutes without damages to the sensor. In case of pulsed signals, the aver-
age power of the pulse train is considered. Please note that this specification
is higher than the max. measurable power, consequently the sensor will enter
saturation and the measurement result will not be correct.
4. Pyroelectric Energy Sensors (ESxxxC Series)
·
Optical Energy Range specifies the minimum and maximum measurable en-
ergy. Take care about the correct trigger level setting, particularly if measure
energy levels, close to the lower limit of the measurement range - sensor
noise may interfere the correct triggering to the pulse edge, which leads to
wrong measurement results.
·
Max. Power Density is related to the pulse peak power and must not be ex-
ceeded to avoid damages to the sensor. For definition and calculation, please
see section Calculations.
© 2017 Thorlabs
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