AMPLITUDE Magma 200 User manual

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
1
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Quick troubleshooting
(Nothing will ever go wrong, but just in case here are some possible solutions)
Table of contents
1. Errors, interlocks and safeties............................................................................................2
1.1. Magma 25....................................................................................................................2
1.1.1. Safety window......................................................................................................2
1.1. Diodes ..........................................................................................................................2
1.1.1. Interlocks..............................................................................................................2
1.2. Chillers .........................................................................................................................3
1.2.1. Water level ...........................................................................................................3
1.2.2. Temperature.........................................................................................................4
1.2.3. Flow ......................................................................................................................4
1.3. Deionising unit.............................................................................................................4
1.3.1. Water flow............................................................................................................4
1.3.2. Water resistivity ...................................................................................................4
1.4. High voltage unit..........................................................................................................4
2. No output from the Regenerative amplifier ......................................................................4
2.1. Easy checks ..................................................................................................................4
2.1.1. There is something in front of the diagnostic cameras .......................................4
2.1.2. Oscillator is not started ........................................................................................4
2.1.3. Synchronisation signals ........................................................................................5
2.1.4. Pump diode is not on ...........................................................................................5
2.1.5. Shutter is closed. ..................................................................................................5
2.1.6. Room temperature...............................................................................................5
2.1.7. PulseShaper not set..............................................................................................6
2.1.8. External devices....................................................................................................6
2.2. Hard checks..................................................................................................................6
2.2.1. Input seed pulse in the regen amplifier ...............................................................6
3. Device not responding .......................................................................................................7
3.1. Compressor translation or rotation not responding...................................................7
3.2. Motorised mounts in the amplifiers not responding ..................................................7

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
2
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
3.3. Camera frozen .............................................................................................................7
1. Errors, interlocks and safeties
This section describes the error messages which can occur and some explanations on how to
deal with them.
General note: once the interlock is triggered and the error corrected, the interlock will remain
active until it the operator clicks ‘Reset’. This way the user is sure to be notified and actively
allows the system to resume operation.
In case of pump diode failure, the current must be set to 0 % before restarting the diode in
order to do a slow ramp up of the power.
1.1. Magma 25
1.1.1. Safety interlocks
1.1.1.1. Flow
The chiller for the crystal is not running or does not have high enough flow rate. Check that
the chiller is on, the water level is high enough and that the filter at the back of the chiller is
not clogged. If the water is low, refill with a mix of clean water and 10 % Optishield 1.
Filter can be cleaned by removing the tubular grid and cleaning it under tap water. If this
happens more than once or twice a month the water needs to be flushed, see corresponding
section of the start-up procedure.
1.1.1.2. Humidity
The sensor is detecting a high humidity inside the regen amplifier, which can happen if the
room humidity is too high for a long period of time or can indicate a water leakage in the
amplifier. Open the box to check for signs of water, condensation or oxidation.
1.1.1.3. Temperature
The sensor is detecting a high temperature inside the regen amplifier, which can happen if the
room temperature is too high for a long period of time or can indicate a problem with the
cooling. Check the status of crystal’s chiller and the filter at the back of the chiller.
1.1. Diodes
1.1.1. Interlocks
1.1.1.1. Chiller
The chiller for the diode is not running or does not have a high enough flow rate. Check that
the chiller is on, that the water level is high enough and that the filter at the back of the chiller
is not clogged. If the water is low, refill with a mix of clean water and 10 % Optishield 1.
Filter can be cleaned by removing the tubular grid and cleaning it under tap water. If this
happens more than once or twice a month the water needs to be flushed, see corresponding
section of the start-up procedure.

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
3
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
1.1.1.2. Device
The chiller for the crystal is not running or does not have high enough flow rate. Check that
the chiller is on, the water level is high enough and that the filter at the back of the chiller is
not clogged. If the water is low, refill with a mix of clean water and 10 % Optishield 1.
1.1.1.3. Human
The key on the unit is OFF or the cable connection is bad, check that all cables are connected
properly.
1.1.1.4. Fiber humidity
The humidity level in the diode is increasing, you need to change the desiccant on its side.
Turn off the diode unit, unplug the connectors at the back (not the fibre, be extra careful not
to pull on it), pull the unit in order to remove the lid. Unscrew the desiccant plug, put the new
one, close the lid, push the unit back in (pay attention not to bend the fibre when pushing)
and reconnect the cables. The desiccant plugs can be bought form Amplitude.
1.1.1.5. Diode temperature
The diode temperature will only turn on if the diode is not cooled properly, which should not
happen if the chiller is running unless one of the pipes inside the diode unit gets clogged
(which should also be prevented if the filters at the back of the chillers are cleaned regularly
and the water circuit flushed twice a year). To remove the blockage, you can reverse the water
flow several times for one minute at a time until the flow is back to normal. For the regen and
MP1 diodes the pipes to invert are located after the deionising unit. Be careful to put the
water flow in the correct direction.
Be careful to flush the water and clean the system afterwards according to the procedure of
the start-up manual.
1.1.1.6. Trigger
The diode unit is not receiving a stable trigger signal from the SelectPulse. Check that it is
working fine as well as the cable connections.
1.1.1.7. Fiber connection
The fibre is not plugged properly either on the diode or on the laser amplifier. This should not
happen as in normal operation the fibres are not to be removed from either side. Please
contact Amplitude.
1.1.1.8. Internal
Hardware or software issue, please contact Amplitude.
1.2. Chillers
If an error occurs, it will be displayed on the LCD screen of the chiller.
1.2.1. Low water level
There is too little water in the tank. It must be refiled with the correct liquid (either
demineralised water or water + Optishield).
Note: if the water level drops faster than once every few months, the water connections
should be checked as there might be a small leak.

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
4
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
1.2.2. Temperature
The chiller does not manage to cool enough. This happens mainly if the facility’s water isn’t
running or if the chiller itself is getting hot (either internal defect of the whole rack is too hot).
1.2.3. Flow
Water is not circulating fast enough in the circuit. Here are a few things to check
-filters are clean
-pipes are not pinched or bent
-no extra length of small diameter (external diameter < 12 mm) pipe was added
If none of the above seems to cause an issue, one of the elements can be clogged. To remove
the blockage, stop the related system and reverse the water flow several times for one minute
at a time until the flow is back to normal. Be careful to flush the water and clean the system
afterwards according to the procedure of the start-up manual.
1.3. Deionising unit
1.3.1. Water flow
The water flow if indicated on the flow meter on the right if the front panel. If it is too low,
check the chiller as described in section 1.2.3.
1.3.2. Water resistivity
The resistivity should not drop below 0.5 MOhm.cm, the alarm sets off at 0.3 MOhm.cm. If it
does the deionising cartridge must be changed according to the operation note “How to
change a de-ionising cartridge”.
1.4. High voltage unit
If the high voltage power supply of the Pockels cell has the “Failure” LED on, power it down to
let it cool down and check the cable connection to the Pockels switch on the Regen amplifier.
If the failure still appears, contact Amplitude for service.
2. No output from the Regenerative amplifier
This should be seen with the diode at 50 % or 53 %. The diode should not be set at nominal
power if the beam is not present beforehand.
2.1. Easy checks
2.1.1. There is something in front of the diagnostic cameras
The cameras are outside of the amplifier, it is easy to inadvertently put something blocking
the beam path.
2.1.2. Oscillator is not started
Check the oscillator status in the Magma 25 module –Main tab. The three first LEDs should
be on (note: there is a 30 sec delay check before the before ‘Oscillator stable’ turns). If the
oscillator is not running, and if there are no Safety interlocks listed below, set ‘Laser diode’ to
ON if it is not, turn the ‘Front-end’ key on the key rack unit, turn the key on the Front-end unit.
One can look at the oscillator’s pulse train and the picked pulse by sending to an oscilloscope
the “Oscillator monitor” and “Pulse picker monitor” BNC outputs at the back of the Front-end
unit.

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
5
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
2.1.3. Synchronisation signals
2.1.3.1. SelectPulse
Check ‘Channels’ tab of the SelectPulse to see if the required channels are ON. If a diode’s
channel is disabled, set the diode(s) current to 0 % before activating it; then increase the
current by steps of 10 %.
2.1.3.2. Magma 25 –Synchro tab
When power up, it can happen that the delays of the Front-end unit are not really applied
(even though the reading in the Magma 25 module says so). To check is the signals are really
applied, plug the ‘Pockels monitor’ and ‘Pulse picker monitor’ BNC cables from the Front-end
in an oscilloscope to see if the timings match the controls (check the delays and width of both
signals). If not, lower the pump diode of the regen to 50 % and proceed to reset the settings:
remove and add 1 ns on each control with the arrows on the right.
2.1.4. Pump diode is not on
Check that the power supply and output controls are both ON and that the ‘Set current’ is not
at 53 % or more. If the diode is not turned on, set the current to 0 %, turn it on and proceed
to increase the current up to 50 % and follow the start-up procedure.
-
Figure 1 - Regen diode control module
2.1.5. Shutter is closed.
This can be seen if the shutter button on the Front-End unit is not lit green. The shutter has
several controls which must all be opened:
-Key ‘Front-End’ on the key rack unit (note: if the key is OFF the oscillator is not running
either, the regen will not operate at all)
-‘Shutter’ button in the main tab of the Magma 25 module is OFF
2.1.6. Room temperature
If the room temperature has drifted up or down by more than 3 °C, adjust the room
temperature. Otherwise the regen cavity will need to be aligned for the new temperature.

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
6
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
This is not an easy task and should not be attempted by the user; please contact Amplitude
for service.
2.1.7. PulseShaper not set
If the PulseShaper was powered down, it loses its configuration and by default blocks the
pulses. It must be set according to the “Load PulseShaper configuration” procedure. In case of
doubt whether the shaping is applied or not, reduce the regen pump to 53 % and apply the
spectral shaping again.
2.1.8. External devices
Please check that the following devices are functioning properly
-High voltage switch not turned on: the unit is powered and the HV switch on the front
panel is ON.
-High Voltage power supply: the failure LED is off, if on see section 1.4.
-The embedded computers are on and responding: are the green LEDs on their front
panel is on (if not press the button and wait a minute for start-up), and check in the
embedded modules of the control software that their status is not frozen (graphs,
reading values not moving). If so try clicking “Restart” in the “Information tab, if it
doesn’t work reset the computer by pressing the front button for 7 seconds and
restarting it, wait a minute for start-up.
-The ethernet switch is ON: status LEDs of the cables are blinking while the embedded
computers are on. If the LEDs are all off power the switch off and on again, if it remains
off then contact Amplitude for service.
2.2. Hard checks
If none of the above apply, additional checks can be performed but they require opening the
amplifier and advanced knowledge is then needed; please contact Amplitude for assistance.
2.2.1. Input seed pulse in the regen amplifier
If all the checks from sections 2.1.2 (oscillator train visible on an oscilloscope), 2.1.3 (‘Pockels
monitor’ and ‘Pulse picker monitor’ signals have the duration indicated in the software) and
2.1.7 (spectral shaping applied) were performed the seeded pulses should be delivered to the
regen case unless an optical fibre from the oscillator or from the PulseShaper to the regen got
damaged. Nevertheless, it is possible to see if the pulses are sent through.
1. Stop the Front-end synchronisation signal in the SelectPulse’s outputs to avoid any risk
of unwanted amplification.
2. Open the regen amplifier case and locate the output of the blue fibre from the
PulseShaper.
3. Block the beam path after the two first 45° mirrors.
4. At this point it is impossible to see the beam as the repetition rate is too low, to send
the whole oscillator train, go to the Magma 25 module / “Synchronisation” tab and
switch the “Pulse Picker” control from “Picker” to “Alignment”. Now the beam should
be visible with an IR card or aa IR viewer.
5. Don’t leave the pulse picker in alignment mode for too long as the PulseShaper heats
up with the incident power.
6. Don’t forget to remove the beam block from the path before closing the regen case.

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
7
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
If the seed is visible, then either timing is wrong, or the regen needs alignment. Please contact
Amplitude for further assistance on the diagnostics.
If nothing appears the oscillator’s optical output must be checked. This requires disconnecting
the fibre from the oscillator which must be done in a clean environment and being able to
check the tip of the fibre when reconnecting as a speck of dust on the core will significantly
reduce the transmitted power. The fibre should be removed from the Front-end unit (it is not
possible to remove it on the PulseShaper) with a beam block ready as the pulses will exit from
the unit with no protection. If the beam is there, check that the power is around 50 mW. If no
beam appears or if the power is too low, the oscillator needs servicing. If the oscillator’s output
is as expected, then the PulseShaper needs servicing. Please contact Amplitude.
3. Device not responding
“Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
3.1. Compressor translation or rotation not responding
The USB driver of the motors can fail their communication with the computer: it will stay
“connected” but not react to orders. To restart them disconnect the module in the
“Configuration” tab, unplug the power from the controller, plug it back and reconnect the
module until the motor reacts.
3.2. Motorised mounts in the amplifiers not responding
The drivers of the mounts can occasionally bug and need to be restarted. To do so disconnect
the module in the “Configuration” tab. For the mounts of MP1 and MP2 there is, on the
corresponding rack unit, a “Reset controller” switch which needs to be turned off and on
again. If the Regen controller fails the Front-end needs to be restarted, this unfortunately
requires putting the whole laser in stand-by and powering off and on the Front-end and then
restarting the laser. Please follow the start-up procedure to do so. When powering on the
Front-end some delays might not be activated properly, see section 2.1.3.2.
3.3. Camera frozen
When a camera image is frozen (can be hard to notice on the Regen and MP1 amplifiers), the
display is framed with a black line and a line appears on top statin “No image since XX sec”.
This is often due to a problem detecting the trigger by the camera. It can be reset by stopping
and restarting the corresponding delay in the SelectPulse module.
3.4. ElliOOs log-in offline
When starting the software, if the log-in of Offline, that means that the host computer cannot
communicate with the embedded computer 1. This can happen if the computer is not started,
software if not started, computer crashed, or network link is down.
-Start by restarting all computers and the ethernet switch.
-If it does not solve the problem, check if the embedded computers can be reached: open
a command window and type ‘ping 192.168.1.1’. If no packet reaches the target, check
that the network cables are connected (one from the host to the switch, one from the
switch to the left network plug on the embedded computers), check that the switch is

Magma 200
Quick troubleshooting guide
Version 1.00
8
Headquarters /11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROP A 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group /Capital social: 317 100 € / Siret 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel: [phone] /Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
Headquarters / 11 avenue de Canteranne, Cité de la Photonique - Bâtiment MEROPA 33600 Pessac - France
Amplitude Laser Group / Capital social : 320 925 € / SIRET: 434 637 005 - APE 6420Z / N°TVA Intracom: FR 70 434 637 005
Tel:[phone] / Fax: [phone] /[e-mail] / www.amplitude-laser.com
powered. If so, try restarting the embedded computer and the switch. If the problem is
not solved, please contact Amplitude for further diagnostics.