Continuum Surelite I 10 User manual

Operation and Maintenance Manual
for Surelite™Lasers
140 Baytech Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
ph. 888-532-1064
ph. 408-727-3240
fax [phone]

Continuum Surelite Laser
ii 996-0207
996-0207 Revision AA
Continuum®is a registered trademark of Continuum.
Surelite™is a trademark of Continuum.
Copyright © 2015, Continuum Electro Optics, Inc.
All rights reserved. This publication is protected by copyright. Copying, disclosure to others,
or other use of this publication, in part or in whole, is prohibited without express written
consent of Continuum. Continuum reserves the right to make changes in specifications
shown in this manual without notice or obligation. Contact your Continuum representative or
Continuum Customer Service for the latest information.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ..........................................................................................1
Table of Figures.............................................................................................7
Preface...........................................................................................................1
Préface...........................................................................................................3
Vorwort..........................................................................................................5
Section 1: Laser Safety Precautions............................................................7
Class IV Laser Safety Precautions ......................................................................... 7
General safety rules................................................................................................. 7
Optical Safety .......................................................................................................... 8
Electrical Safety....................................................................................................... 9
Safety Features ........................................................................................................ 9
Interlocks ..................................................................................................................... 9
Laser covers................................................................................................................. 9
Exit shutter ................................................................................................................ 10
Safety Labels.......................................................................................................... 10
Government and industry safety regulations ...................................................... 14
References for safety regulations......................................................................... 15
Section 2: Installation................................................................................17
Installation requirements...................................................................................... 17
Site.............................................................................................................................. 17
Power ......................................................................................................................... 17
Water.......................................................................................................................... 17
Supplies.................................................................................................................. 18
Unpacking Instructions ........................................................................................ 19
Crate Inspection........................................................................................................ 19
Unpacking.................................................................................................................. 19
Installation............................................................................................................. 20
Flow test the system.................................................................................................. 22
Measure total energy ................................................................................................. 22
Section 3: System Operation......................................................................27
Daily Startup.......................................................................................................... 27

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Daily Shutdown .....................................................................................................28
Display readouts ....................................................................................................28
Error messages.......................................................................................................29
Single shot (SS) button..........................................................................................30
To enable SS...............................................................................................................30
To disable Single Shot (SS) operation......................................................................30
Harmonics optimization .......................................................................................31
Second Harmonic Generation (SLD).......................................................................32
Third Harmonic Generation (SLT)..........................................................................33
Fourth Harmonic Generation (SLF) ........................................................................34
Installation & removal of harmonic generators ..................................................36
Installation of SLD....................................................................................................36
Installation of SLT or SLF........................................................................................37
Removal.................................................................................................................. 38
RS232 serial port....................................................................................................40
Software......................................................................................................................40
To enable RS232........................................................................................................40
Control commands................................................................................................42
To disable RS232 .......................................................................................................43
Direct Access Triggering (DAT) ..........................................................................43
Stanford Research Pulse Generator Setup...............................................................43
To enable DAT..........................................................................................................44
DAT Mode 1 (± 10 ns jitter) ....................................................................................45
DAT Mode 2 (±1ns jitter) ........................................................................................45
To disable DAT .........................................................................................................46
Override of shutter lockout..................................................................................48
Section 4: Subassembly and Module Descriptions....................................49
Laser bench optics................................................................................................. 49
Optical layout.............................................................................................................49
Laser heads.............................................................................................................50

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General description................................................................................................... 50
Rods ........................................................................................................................... 50
Flashlamps ................................................................................................................. 50
Cooling....................................................................................................................... 50
Laser bench electronics ........................................................................................ 53
Active Q-switch......................................................................................................... 53
Principle of operation ............................................................................................... 53
Harmonic generators ............................................................................................ 55
Wavelength separation.............................................................................................. 56
Power/Cooling Unit (PCU) ................................................................................. 58
Structure & organization .......................................................................................... 58
Front panel ................................................................................................................ 58
Rear panel .................................................................................................................. 59
External interlock loop......................................................................................... 60
To enable external interlock..................................................................................... 60
Security installation ................................................................................................... 61
To disable external interlock .................................................................................... 61
Cooling Group, CG .............................................................................................. 62
General description................................................................................................... 62
Internal features ........................................................................................................ 62
Maintenance............................................................................................................... 63
Section 5: Maintenance..............................................................................65
Cleaning optics...................................................................................................... 65
Unmounted optics..................................................................................................... 65
Mounted optics and rods.......................................................................................... 66
Flashlamp replacement ............................................................................................. 66
Replacing DI filter..................................................................................................... 67
Section 6: Troubleshooting ........................................................................71
Electrical Troubleshooting................................................................................... 71
Oscillator alignment optimization ....................................................................... 73
Burn paper alignment ............................................................................................... 74
Oscillator optimization (with an oscilloscope) ....................................................... 76

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Eliminating free-running.......................................................................................77
Flashlamp voltage adjustment ..............................................................................79
Cooling group contamination...............................................................................80
Section 7: Physical Layout.........................................................................83
Section 8: Warranty...................................................................................85
Express warranty ...................................................................................................85
Limitation of remedy.............................................................................................85
Disclaimer of implied warranty ............................................................................85
Returns, adjustments & servicing......................................................................... 85
Service center information: Visit the Continuum Web Site for complete information.
................................................................................................................................86
Appendix A: PIV Operation and Maintenance........................................87
PIV description.....................................................................................................87
Particle Image Velocimetry.......................................................................................87
PIV overview .........................................................................................................87
PIV systems...............................................................................................................87
Beam Quality..............................................................................................................88
Stability .......................................................................................................................88
Ease of Use ................................................................................................................88
Safety ..........................................................................................................................88
Lifetime ......................................................................................................................88
PIV pulse timing....................................................................................................88
External control.........................................................................................................88
PIV Optical description ............................................................................................89
Second harmonic generation ................................................................................89
PIV Physical Layout..............................................................................................90
PIV Operation .......................................................................................................90
Startup ........................................................................................................................90
Shutdown ...................................................................................................................91
Optical adjustments............................................................................................... 91

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Adjustable optics....................................................................................................... 91
Beam alignment......................................................................................................... 92
Crystal phase matching ............................................................................................. 93
Beam power balance ................................................................................................. 93
Flashlamp voltage...................................................................................................... 93
External control ........................................................................................................ 93
Maintaining PIV optics......................................................................................... 94
Cleaning or replacing the SHG crystal .................................................................... 94
PIV Specifications................................................................................................ 95
Appendix B: Operator Notes.....................................................................97
Index..........................................................................................................103

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Table of Figures
FIGURE 1 LOCATION OF LABELS ON THE SURELITE OSCILLATOR ...................... 13
FIGURE 2 LOCATION OF LABELS ON SURELITE SEPARATION PACKAGE..............13
FIGURE 3 LABELS ON THE 811 LASER HEAD....................................................13
FIGURE 4 SAFETY LABELS ON THE LASER HEAD .............................................14
FIGURE 5 COOLING GROUP CHASSIS ASSEMBLY FOR SL I-20 HZ. .....................18
FIGURE 10 SETUP FOR ENERGY MEASUREMENT...............................................22
FIGURE 11 REAR PANEL SL I-20 PCU ............................................................24
FIGURE 12 FRONT PANEL SLI-20 PCU...........................................................24
FIGURE 13 OPTICAL SURELITE SEPARATOR PACKAGE (SSP)............................24
FIGURE 14 SURELITE LASER HEAD .................................................................32
FIGURE 15 SSP 1,2,3,4 OPTICAL LAYOUT (TOP VIEW WITH COVER OFF)............35
FIGURE 16 SSP 1-A, 2-A, 3-A, 4-AOPTICAL LAYOUT (TOP VIEW -COVER OFF) 36
FIGURE 17 SSP MIRROR MOUNT.....................................................................36
FIGURE 18 SSP OUTPUT FACE ........................................................................36
FIGURE 19 SSP OUTPUT FACE ........................................................................36
FIGURE 20 TOP VIEW OF HEATER CONNECTORS ...............................................39
FIGURE 21 SLD OUPUT FACE .........................................................................39
FIGURE 22 SLD INPUT FACE ..........................................................................39
FIGURE 23 HARMONICS SIDE VIEW.................................................................39
FIGURE 24 SLT/SLF INPUT FACE ...................................................................39
FIGURE 25 SLT/SLF OUTPUT FACE ................................................................39
FIGURE 26 WIRING DIAGRAM AND PIN DESIGNATION ......................................40
FIGURE 27 SURELITE CHRONOGRAPH.............................................................47
FIGURE 28 OVERVIEW OF SURELITE LASER BENCH..........................................49
FIGURE 29 811U-06 LASER HEAD WITH ONE FLASHLAMP ................................51
FIGURE 30 EXPLODED 811U-06 OR 811U-07 LASER HEAD DRAWING...............51
FIGURE 31 812V-09 LASER HEAD WITH TWO FLASHLAMPS ..............................52
FIGURE 32 EXPLODED 812V-09 LASER HEAD WITH TWO FLASHLAMPS.............52
FIGURE 33 CAVITY CLOSED WITH NO LASING..................................................54
FIGURE 34 CAVITY OPEN AND LASING ............................................................55
FIGURE 35 EXTRA HARMONIC GENERATOR ....................................................55
FIGURE 36 SSP MIRROR MOUNT.....................................................................56
FIGURE 37 SSP INPUT FACE ...........................................................................56
FIGURE 38 SSP OUTPUT FACE ........................................................................56
FIGURE 39 SSP 1,2,3,4 OPTICAL LAYOUT (TOP VIEW WITH COVER OFF)............57
FIGURE 40 SSP 1-A, 2-A, 3-A, 4-AOPTICAL LAYOUT (TOP VIEW -COVER OFF) 57
FIGURE 41 SURELITE I 20 HZ REAR AND FRONT PANELS ..................................58
FIGURE 42 EXTERNAL PLUG...........................................................................60
FIGURE 43 POWER SUPPLY CHASSIS ASSEMBLY ...............................................62
FIGURE 44 COOLING CHART...........................................................................63
FIGURE 45 COOLING GROUP CHASSIS ASSEMBLY FOR SURELITE I 20 HZ..........64
FIGURE 47 COOLING GROUP CHASSIS WITHOUT FANS ON THE FRONT PANEL .....69
FIGURE 48 COOLING GROUP CHASSIS ASSEMBLY FOR SURELITE I 20 HZ..........69
FIGURE 49 COVER INTERLOCK SWITCHES.......................................................73

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FIGURE 50 REAR MIRROR HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL CONTROLS ...................74
FIGURE 55 SURELITE PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS ..................................................83
FIGURE 56 PIV OPTICAL LAYOUT ..................................................................89
FIGURE 57 PIV OPTICAL HEAD PACKAGE DIMENSIONS....................................90
FIGURE 58 PIV POWER SUPPLY PACKAGE DIMENSIONS ...................................90

Preface
The internationally recognized warning symbols shown here are used throughout the
manual to alert the user of potential hazards when operating this laser.
The radiation symbol is to alert the user to the danger of laser
radiation when performing certain operations and when the
danger of exposure is the greatest. It is also used when the
optical hazards are present.
The lightning or thunderbolt indicates the presence of high
voltage which may pose a danger to the user or the
equipment.
The exclamation point symbol is to draw attention to other
potential hazards not included under the optical or electrical
categories. The user should be aware of special care that
needs to be taken when performing potentially hazardous
procedures.
The Safety section is placed as the first chapter of the manual
to emphasize its importance and the need for everyone to
read it before working with the laser.
The installation section includes a copy of the installation instructions for future
reference. The site requirements are listed, as is the initial installation process, step by
step.
The Operation section begins with the daily startup and shutdown procedures. The
single shot operation is discussed here, also. The LED status information and error
messages are explained. Optimization procedures for the harmonics are found on page
31 and a detailed description of the installation and removal of the harmonics is given
starting on page 36.
In the Subassembly section, the laser bench features are discussed. Optics, electronics
and mechanics located on the bench are described first, followed by detailed descriptions
of the Power Cooling Unit (PCU).
Instructions for careful cleaning of optics, replacing flashlamps and replacing of cooling
group filters are given in the Maintenance section.
The Troubleshooting chapter presents common problems that are encountered and ways
to solve them in both the electronic and optical areas. It is here that the more
complicated procedures such as eliminating free-running are discussed.
Section 8: Warranty details the Continuum warranty and gives Service telephone and
FAX numbers for further help. The Operator Notes gives the user a convenient place to
keep maintenance records and other information.

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Préface
Les symboles de danger reconnus internationallement présentés ici sont utilisés tout au
long du manuel pour avertir l’utilisateur des risques possibles lors de l’utilisation de ce
laser.
Le symbole de radiation sert à avertir l’utilisateur du danger
d’exposition à la radiation laser lors de l’exécution de certaines
opérations et lorsque ce danger est le plus grand. Il est aussi
utilisé en cas de risques optiques.
Le signe d’éclair indique la présence d’une haute tension qui
peut représenter un danger pour l’utilisateur ou l’équipement.
Th Le point d’exclamation sert à attirer l’attention sur d’autres
risques possibles non inclus dans les catégories optique et
électrique. L’utilisateur devrait être conscient des measures de
protection particulières à prendre lors de l’exécution de
procédures potentiellement dangereuses.
La section Sécurité est en tête du premier chapitre de ce
manuel afin de souligner son importance et la nécessité
incombant à chaque utilisateur de la lire avant de commencer
à utiliser un laser.
La section Installation comprend une copie des instructions de montage pour future
référence. Les exigences de site sont énumérées comme l’est le processus d’installation
initial, étape par étape.
La section Fonctionnement commence avec les procédures de mise en route et mise en
arrêt quotidiennes. Le fonctionnement en décharge unique est aussi expliqué dans cette
section. La DEL informant du statut et les messages d’erreur sont aussi expliqués. Les
procédures d’optimisation des harmoniques sont données à la page -31 et une
description détaillée de la mise en place et de l’élimination des harmoniques commence
à la page 36.
Dans la section Sous-Unité, les caractéristiques de l’unité laser sont expliquées. La
description des éléments optiques, électroniques et mécaniques présents dans l’unité
précède celle détaillée de l’unité de refroidissement de l’alimentation (Power Cooling
Unit - PCU).
Des instructions pour un nettoyage soigneux des éléments optiques, pour le
remplacement de la lampe éclair et des filtres du dispositif de refroidissement se
trouvent dans la section Entretien.
Le chapitre Dépannage présente les problèmes couramment rencontrés et indique les
mesures à prendre dans les domaines de l’électronique et de l’optique. C’est aussi dans ce

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chapitre que les procédures plus complexes telles que l’élimination du fonctionnement
libre sont expliquées.
L’Annexe décrit la garantie Continuum et fournit les numéros de téléphone et de fax du
service après-vente. Les Notes de l’Utilisateur offrent à l’utilisateur un endroit pratique
pour conserver les rapports d’entretien et d’autres informations utiles.

Vorwort
Die hier abgebildeten, international verständlichen Warnsymbole werden in der gesamten
Anleitung dazu verwendet, den Benutzer auf mögliche Gefahrenquellen beim
Laserbetrieb hinzuweisen.
Das Strahlungssymbol warnt den Benutzer vor gefährlicher
Laserstrahlung bei bestimmten Betriebsverfahren und bei den
stärksten Strahlengefährdungen. Es wird auch für optische
Gefahrenquellen verwendet.
Das Blitzsymbol weist auf das Vorliegen von Hochspannung
hin, die eine Gefährdung für Benutzer oder Gerät darstellt.
Das Ausrufezeichensymbol soll auf weitere Gefahren
aufmerksam machen, die nicht unter die Kategorie Optik oder
Elektrik fallen. Der Benutzer sollte auf besondere
Maßnahmen achten, die bei evtl. gefährlichen Verfahren
anzuwenden sind.
Das erste Kapitel dieser Anleitung ist der Sicherheitsabschnitt,
da dieser äußerst wichtig ist und vor dem Betreiben des Lasers
von jedem Benutzer gelesen werden sollte.
Der Abschnitt zur Installation enthält für den zukünftigen Bedarf ein Exemplar der
Installationsanleitung. Hier sind sowohl die Standortanforderungen als auch eine
schrittweise Erläuterung der Erstinstallation enthalten.
Der Abschnitt zum Betrieb beginnt mit der täglichen Einschalt- und Abschaltroutine.
Außerdem werden der Einzelpulsbetrieb behandelt und die Leuchtdioden-
Statusinformationen und -Fehlermeldungen erläutert. Die
Oberschwingungsoptimierung wird auf Seite 31 beschrieben, und auf Seite 36 beginnt
eine ausführliche Beschreibung des Ein- und Ausbaus der
Oberschwingungsgeneratoren.
Der Abschnitt zu den Untereinheiten behandelt die Merkmale der Laserfläche.
Zunächst werden die optischen, elektronischen und mechanischen Komponenten der
Laserfläche beschrieben und anschließend die Strom/Kühleinheit (PCU) detailliert
erläutert.
Anweisungen zur sorgfältigen Reinigung der Optik, zum Austauschen der Blitzlampen
und der Filter der Kühlgruppe sind im Wartungsabschnitt enthalten.
Das Kapitel Fehlersuche und -behebung beschreibt bekannte Probleme (Elektronik und
Optik), die auftreten können, sowie Abhilfemaßnahmen. Hier werden auch
kompliziertere Verfahren, wie das Verhindern von “Freischwingern”, erörtert.

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Der Anhang enthält die Continuum-Garantie sowie Service-Rufnummern und -
Faxnummern, unter denen weitere Hilfestellung verfügbar ist. Unter “Benutzernotizen”
kann der Benutzer bequem Wartungsdaten und sonstige Informationen aufbewahren

Section 1: Laser Safety Precautions
Class IV Laser Safety Precautions
CAUTION : USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE
OF PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY
RESULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.
LASER RADIATION!
Use of controls or adjustments or performance
of procedures other than those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
•Continuum's Surelite lasers are class IV high power lasers whose beam is, by
definition, a safety hazard. Take precautions to prevent accidental exposure to both
direct and reflected beams.
•Diffuse as well as specular beam reflections can cause severe eye and skin damage.
•Infrared radiation passes easily through the cornea, which focuses it onto the retina,
where it can cause instantaneous permanent damage or blindness. Even small doses
from scatter can be harmful.
LASER RADIATION!
Avoid eye and skin exposure to direct or
scattered radiation!
General safety rules
WARNING!
If the equipment is used in a manner not
specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the equipment may be impaired.
The following is a summary of general safety precautions, which are to be observed by
anyone working with the laser. For a complete listing of safety standards see the ANSI
booklet listed above.
•Never look directly into a laser beam or its reflection. Visual alignment of these
sources shall not be attempted while the power supply is energized. Permanent
damage to the eye can occur.

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•Keep all unnecessary personnel out of the work area. Remove all shiny reflective
surfaces (including rings, watch bands, metal pencils etc.) and all flammable materials
with their containers from the work area.
•Operate lasers only in well-marked areas with controlled access. Be sure to post
appropriate warning signs visible to all.
•Operate lasers under the supervision of qualified personnel only. When not in use,
shut down laser completely.
•Keep the laser firing area well lit so that the pupils of worker’s eyes will be
constricted. This reduces the amount of light entering the eye and lessenes the
chance of eye damage.
•A fire-resistant background should be in place behind the target area. The
surrounding areas should be coated with a material that absorbs any scattered
radiation that might occur.
•Tracking of individuals, vehicular traffic, aircraft or any airborne objects by means of
laser radiation is prohibited.
•Never leave laser running unattended.
LASER RADIATION!
Wear laser protective eyewear of sufficient optical
density and suitable wavelength to protect the eyes
from the maximum energy produced. Direct eye
contact with the laser beam can cause permanent
eye damage.
Optical Safety
•Be sure that the light from the flashlamps is obscured from the eye as it is damaging
if viewed directly.
•Eye safety is the greatest concern. Be aware at all times that this is a Class IV laser,
the highest and most dangerous classification. Specular reflections from the main
beam off a polished surface can cause severe eye damage. Use the following
information and contact your Laser safety Officer (LSO) to provide protection.
1064nm Nominal O.D.=6.1 MPE=50 mJ/m² NOHD=15.17 km
532nm Nominal O.D.=6.8 MPE=41.4 J/m² NOHD=210 m
355nm Nominal O.D.=2.2 MPE=41.4 J/m² NOHD=147.5 m
266nm Nominal O.D.=3.7 MPE=600 mJ/m² NOHD=903 km
•Be sure that there are no volatile substances in the lab which the laser could ignite.

Section 1: Laser Safety Precautions
996-0207 9
•Mark the lab well with warning signs when the laser is operating and provide
interlocks for all doors.
Electrical Safety
HIGH VOLTAGE!
To prevent accidents from electrical shock, ensure
that the capacitors are completely discharged and
the power is turned off before performing any
maintenance or repairs to the system. Electric
shock and burns resulting from input power or
capacitor discharge can cause serious injury or
death.
Be aware that high voltages are present in the laser
heads once ac power is toggled on.
Safety Features
Interlocks
The Surelite has interlock switches which stop it from firing when the:
•laser head (rod) temperature is too high.
•laser head cover is open.
•cooling water flow is too low.
•external interlock (if installed) is open.
All interlocks must be OK before the Surelite will fire. If any interlock is tripped,
including the external interlock, the amber INTERLOCK LED will light and laser firing
will stop. The interlock must be reset before the laser can be restarted.
You may also wire your Surelite so that opening a door to the laser laboratory (or
opening any other switch) will shut off the laser.
Laser covers
Covers protect against stray laser radiation from the Surelite. Interlocks prevent laser
operation when they are open. Do not defeat interlock when covers are removed.

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Exit shutter
The Surelite has an exit beam shutter located outside its housing. Closing the beam
shutter merely prevents the beam from exiting; it does not shut down the laser.
The following safety labels are used throughout the Surelite laser. Refer to diagrams A &
B for their location.
Safety Labels
The following safety labels are used throughout the Surelite laser. Refer to Figure 1,
Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 on pages 13 and 14 for their locations.
Item 1. 310-0170
Found on the Oscillator head
cover.
Item 2. 310-0169
Found above exit port of the
laser and SSP.
Item 3. 310-0187
Found on the side of the
Oscillator.
Item 4. 310-0025
Found on the Oscillator and
Power Control Unit.