Bristol 621 User manual

MODEL 621
LASER WAVELENGTH METER
Version 4.7
USER’S MANUAL

The information contained in this publication is subject to change without notice.
2015 Bristol Instruments, Inc.

CONTENTS
1INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................4
Welcome....................................................................................................................................4
Safety Notices............................................................................................................................4
General Safety Considerations..................................................................................................5
Inspection ..................................................................................................................................6
2INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP ................................................................................................7
General......................................................................................................................................7
Power Supply Connections .......................................................................................................7
Signal Output Connections........................................................................................................8
Software Installation ..................................................................................................................9
3LASER INPUT –VIS AND NIR VERSIONS...........................................................................10
Fiber-Optic Laser Input............................................................................................................10
Free-Beam Laser Input............................................................................................................11
4LASER INPUT –IR AND MIR VERSIONS.............................................................................13
Installation of Adjustment Feet................................................................................................13
Alignment of Laser Under Test................................................................................................14
5USING THE LASER WAVELENGTH METER .......................................................................16
Operation Instructions .............................................................................................................16
Wavelength Screen .................................................................................................................17
Trend Screen...........................................................................................................................18
Menu Function Descriptions....................................................................................................20
6 APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE (API)............................................................24
LabVIEW Program Interface....................................................................................................24
Custom Program Interface - Windows .dll Function Calls.......................................................26
Custom Program Interface - Direct Communication................................................................28
APPENDIX A –SPECIFICATIONS...............................................................................................32
APPENDIX B –WARRANTY & SERVICE ...................................................................................33
Warranty..................................................................................................................................33
Service.....................................................................................................................................33
APPENDIX C –CODE UPDATES ................................................................................................34
APPENDIX D –MONITOR PORT.................................................................................................35
APPENDIX E –TROUBLESHOOTING.........................................................................................36
APPENDIX F –FIBER-OPTIC CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS ......................................................37
Declaration of Conformity...........................................................................................................38

Model 621 User’s Manual INTRODUCTION
Bristol Instruments, Inc. 4
1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing the 621 Laser Wavelength Meter from Bristol Instruments. Two
different models of this system are available: the 621A and 621B. The model 621A measures
absolute laser wavelength to an accuracy of ±0.2 parts per million. The 621B system has an
accuracy of ±0.75 parts per million.
The model 621A and model 621B are available for operation over the wavelength ranges of 375 –
1100 nm (VIS version), 520 –1700 nm (NIR version), and 1 –5 m (IR version). The 621B
system is also available for operation over the wavelength range of 2 to 12 m (MIR version) with
an accuracy of ±1.0 part per million.
This User’s Manual includes information about the 621A and 621B Laser Wavelength Meters. It
covers all the topics necessary to help you operate your system.
If you have any questions about the operation of your 621 system, please do not hesitate to call
Bristol Instruments at [phone]. Or, you can contact us at [e-mail].
Bristol Instruments, Inc.
50 Victor Heights Parkway
Victor, NY 14564
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.bristol-inst.com
Safety Notices
Warning denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning sign until the
indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
Caution denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of the product. Do not proceed beyond a
caution sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Model 621 User’s Manual INTRODUCTION
Bristol Instruments, Inc. 5
General Safety Considerations
This product has been designed and tested in accordance with IEC 61010-1 and has
been supplied in a safe condition. The instruction documentation contains information
and warnings that must be followed by the user to ensure safe operation and to maintain
the product in a safe condition.
This instrument is a Class 2 Laser Product. It contains a laser that emits radiation
that can seriously damage your eyesight. Less than 15 W of this laser light is
emitted from the fiber-optic connector of the VIS and NIR versions,
and less than 50 W of this laser light is emitted from the aperture of
the IR and MIR versions. Do not stare into this beam or view it
directly with an optical instrument. The Class 2 warning label, shown
here, is located next to the fiber-optic input coupler (VIS and NIR) or
the input aperture (IR and MIR) on the front panel of the model 621.
If this instrument is not used as specified, the protection provided by the
equipment could be impaired. This instrument must be used in the specified mode
without deviation from the written instructions. Use of this product in any manner
other than described herein may cause permanent damage to eyesight and
therefore is strictly prohibited.
Never inspect or clean a fiber-optic cable without first disconnecting the entire
cable assembly from the optical source. Failure to take this precaution can
permanently damage your eyesight.
No user serviceable parts are inside. Refer servicing to Bristol Instruments or its
representatives only. To prevent electrical shock, do not remove covers.
To prevent electrical shock, disconnect this instrument from mains before
cleaning. Use a dry cloth or one slightly dampened with water to clean the
external case parts. Do not attempt to clean internally.
This is a Safety Class 1 product (provided with protective ground). The mains plug
shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a protective ground contact.
Any interruption of the protective conductor inside or outside of the product is
likely to make the product dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.

Model 621 User’s Manual INTRODUCTION
Bristol Instruments, Inc. 6
Always use the three-prong AC power cord supplied with this instrument. Failure to
ensure adequate grounding by not using this cord may cause instrument damage.
Do not connect AC power until you have verified the line voltage is properly grounded
and within the specified range (90–260 VAC and 47–63 Hz). Damage to the instrument
could result.
This instrument has autoranging line voltage input. Be sure the supply voltage is within
the specified range.
Maximum safe input is 10 mW of optical power. Laser input power in excess of 10 mW
can result in damage to the instrument.
Use care in handling fiber-optic connectors. Always clean the fiber end prior to insertion
into the instrument’s fiber-optic connector for optimum performance. Failure to do so can
result in damage to the instrument. To prolong instrument service life, it is advantageous
to attach a new fiber-optic patchcord to the instrument and use its other end for the
connect/disconnect procedure.
Inspection
The 621 Laser Wavelength Meter is packed in a carton designed to give maximum
protection during shipment. If the outside of the shipping carton is damaged, notify your
shipping department immediately. Your shipping department may want to notify the
carrier.
If the shipping carton is not damaged, carefully remove and identify all of the components
listed below. Contact Bristol Instruments or your local representative if any of the
components are missing. We recommend that you save the shipping carton for future
storage or transportation.
The 621 system includes the following components:
Laser Wavelength Meter chassis
Three alignment leg/feet assemblies (IR and MIR versions)
Power cord (North America and Japan only)
USB 2.0 cable
CD with User’s Manual and NuView Software
Fiber-optic cleaning kit

Model 621 User’s Manual INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP
Bristol Instruments, Inc. 7
2 INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP
General
This instrument is a Class 2 Laser Product. It contains a laser that emits radiation
that can seriously damage your eyesight. Less than 15 W of this laser light is
emitted from the fiber-optic connector of the VIS and NIR versions,
and less than 50 W of this laser light is emitted from the aperture of
the IR and MIR versions. Do not stare into this beam or view it
directly with an optical instrument. The Class 2 warning label, shown
here, is located next to the fiber-optic input coupler (VIS and NIR) or
the input aperture (IR and MIR) on the front panel of the model 621.
1 Place the 621 Laser Wavelength Meter on a firm horizontal surface.
2 Make sure that there is at least 2 inches (50 mm) of clearance on all sides of the
instrument to allow for ventilation.
Power Supply Connections
This is a Safety Class 1 product (provided with protective ground). The mains plug
shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a protective ground contact.
Any interruption of the protective conductor inside or outside of the product is
likely to make the product dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.
Always use the three-prong AC power cord supplied with this instrument. Failure to
ensure adequate grounding by not using this cord may cause instrument damage.
Do not connect AC power until you have verified the line voltage is properly grounded
and within the specified range (90–260 VAC and 47–63 Hz). Damage to the instrument
could result.
This instrument has autoranging line voltage input. Be sure the supply voltage is within
the specified range.

Model 621 User’s Manual INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP
Bristol Instruments, Inc. 8
1Verify that the line power meets the requirements shown below.
95 to 260 VAC
47 to 63 Hz
Protective Ground
2Connect the line-power cord to the power input connector on the instrument’s back
panel (Figure 2.1).
3 Connect the other end of the line-power cord to the power receptacle.
Figure 2.1: Back Panel
Signal Output Connections
The 621 Laser Wavelength Meter has the following connections for signal output and
communications. These connections are located on the instrument’s back panel
(Figure 2.1).
USB Port - Interface to a PC for instrument control and data reporting.
Ethernet Port –Not currently supported.
DB-9 Monitor Port - Used to monitor the interference fringe pattern and
instrument timing signals with an oscilloscope. A full description is provided in
Appendix D.
1Connect the USB interface cable to the USB port on the back panel of the instrument.
2Connect the other end of the USB cable to a USB port on your PC.

Model 621 User’s Manual INITIAL INSTRUMENT SETUP
Bristol Instruments, Inc. 9
Software Installation
The NuView Software provided on the Application Software CD controls the Laser
Wavelength Meter and displays the collected data. The CD also includes the Silicon Labs
USB drivers necessary to connect the PC to the Laser Wavelength Meter. The following
computer hardware is required to run the software.
A PC running Microsoft Windows 7 or Microsoft Windows 8
At least 1 GB of available RAM
USB 2.0 (or later)
Monitor
Mouse or other pointing device
1 Insert the Application Software CD into your CD-ROM drive. If Autorun is enabled on
your system, installation will start automatically. Otherwise, double click on the
installer to begin.
2 Once the software is installed, a shortcut to the NuView Software will automatically
be placed on the Start Menu (or Application Menu) of the PC. Click on this icon to
open the application.
3 Navigate to the “Help” menu and select “Manual” to open a PDF file of the 621 User’s
Manual (this file). This User’s Manual will describe installation and operation of the
621 system.
4 Open the Application Software CD folder. Click the folder labeled “SiLabs,”and then
the folder labled “CP210x_VCP_Windows.”
5 For a 32-bit operating system, double click on CP210xVCPInstaller_x86.exe; for a
64-bit operating system, double click on CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.exe. The
InstallShield Wizard will be activated, and follow the Wizard’s instructions until the
installation is complete.

Model 621 User’s Manual LASER INPUT –VIS AND NIR VERSIONS
Bristol Instruments, Inc. 10
3 LASER INPUT –VIS AND NIR VERSIONS
Fiber-Optic Laser Input
This instrument is a Class 2 Laser Product. It contains a laser that emits radiation
that can seriously damage your eyesight. Less than 15 W of this laser light is
emitted from the fiber-optic connector of the VIS and NIR versions,
and less than 50 W of this laser light is emitted from the aperture of
the IR and MIR versions. Do not stare into this beam or view it
directly with an optical instrument. The Class 2 warning label, shown
here, is located next to the fiber-optic input coupler (VIS and NIR) or
the input aperture (IR and MIR) on the front panel of the model 621.
Never inspect or clean a fiber-optic cable without first disconnecting the entire
cable assembly from the optical source. Failure to take this precaution can
permanently damage your eyesight.
Use care in handling fiber-optic connectors. Always clean the fiber end prior to insertion
into the instrument’s fiber-optic connector for optimum performance. Failure to do so can
result in damage to the instrument. To prolong instrument service life, it is advantageous
to attach a new fiber-optic patchcord to the instrument and use its other end for the
connect/disconnect procedure.
Maximum safe input is 10 mW of optical power. Laser input power in excess of 10 mW
can result in damage to the instrument.
The laser under test enters the 621 system through an FC/PC fiber-optic connector on
the front panel of the instrument (Figure 3.1).
Figure 3.1: Front Panel of the VIS and NIR Versions