Recommendations - THORLABS PDF10C2 Operation Manual

PDF10C2
Attention
Refer to the Technical Data
Exceeding this value will permanently destroy the detectors!
Attention
Due to limitations in the IC, the high-speed amplifier used in these devices may become un-
stable, exhibiting oscillations or negative output, if the power supply voltage is initially applied
when the module is switched on. Therefore, please make sure the power-on switch on your
PDF10C2 is in OFF position 0 (see
power supply.
Electrical Setup
Mount the detector as described above and make sure the PDF10C2 is switched off.
·
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· Plug the power connector cable into the DC INPUT LDS12B connector of the PDF10C2.
· Plug the power supply into an outlet.
· Connect OUTPUT to your data acquisition device with a coaxial cable. The PDF10C2 with
femtowatt sensitivity is a low-frequency device that should only be terminated into high impe-
dance (Hi-Z) loads.
· Switch on the power supply.
· Switch on the PDF10C2 by moving the power slider to I while the optical input is protected by
the cover cap.
· The maximum OUTPUT voltage swing is ±10 V for high impedance loads (>10 kW). The
OUTPUT signal should stay below this maximum output voltage to avoid amplifier saturation.
Optical Setup
· Ensure that OUTPUT offset voltage is within the range listed in
drift during the warm up period (~5 min) is typical.
· Check whether the noise level is below 5 mV
please refer to

recommendations

· Remove the plastic cover cap that protects the optical input.
Mount external optics if needed.
·
3
· Align the light source with the optical input.
· It is recommended
· To prevent saturation of the amplifier keep the optical input powers below the CW saturation
power listed in Technical Data
recommended to reduce the input light level in critical cases.
· For maximum linearity performance and to prevent damage to the detector when measuring
focused beams, fiber outputs, or small diameter beams, do not exceed a maximum input
power of 10 mW/cm
Turning off the PDF10C2
Move the power slider to 0 after finishing the measurements.
3.4 Recommendations
· Optical Alignment
o An open beam should always be carefully aligned with the detector. Due to the small active
area of the PDF10C2 photodiode, it is recommended to focus the optical signal out of a
fiber onto the detector. For this and other fiber-coupled applications, fiber adapters like
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and pay attention to the optical damage threshold of 10 mW!
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Operating Elements
and optimize your setup.
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to focus the optical signal out of a fiber onto the detector.
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. External neutral density filters or attenuators are
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2
.
) prior to connecting the external
3
. If the noise level is significantly higher,
RMS
Technical Data . A small
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MTN013713_D02