THORLABS PICO D User Manual page 11

The control system also monitors the optical output power in order to maintain a
constant optical output power throughout the tuning-range of PICO D. Using an ana-
log control port the user can set the optical output power.
The laser chip and the laser cavity are kept at constant temperature using a closed
loop thermo electrical cooler.
The inner metal casing functions as a body for the attachment of the different mod-
ules, such as fiber coupling-, laser unit, and sensor-mechanics. The outer casing is
made of metal and a layer of thermal isolating material. Furthermore there is a mag-
netic shield, made of a high permeability material, for preventing external magnetic
fields to interfere with the motor coils.
All lasers, and especially lasers having a resonator cavities defined by mechanical
tolerances, are delicate precision instruments and they must be handled accordingly.
PICO D is designed to withstand "normal" transportation and "normal" operation con-
ditions. Designer's Guide
2.4 Mechanical interface
The PICO D is confined to a volume of maximum: 49 mm × 93 mm × 260 mm (W ×
H × L) [49 mm × 93 mm × 274.1 mm if the locking mechanism belonging to the sig-
nal connector is included). The PICO D front panels, having bulkhead and pigtail op-
tical output respectively, are shown in Figure 2–3, and the side-view of PICO D is
shown in Figure 2–4.
Obtain fast step response with short settling times when moving between fixed
wavelengths ("random access" tuning).
Minimize errors in position due to external forces (i.e. vibrations, magnetic
fields)
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