Laser electronics ldc1000 User manual

MANUAL-LDC1000 Valid from S/N:1122
Nov 2012 Rev.9.1
Laser Diode Controller
LDC1000
Operating Instructions

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Contents
1General...............................................................................................................4
1.1 Warranty and Assistance .....................................................................................4
1.2 Maintenance ........................................................................................................4
1.3 General Safety Considerations.............................................................................4
1.4 Laser Safety.........................................................................................................4
1.4.1 Laser Radiation........................................................................................................4
1.4.2 Laser Class..............................................................................................................4
1.5 System contents...................................................................................................6
2Introduction.......................................................................................................7
3Installation.........................................................................................................8
4Operation...........................................................................................................9
4.1 Elements of the instrument at the front panel.......................................................9
4.2 Elements of the instrument at the rear panel......................................................10
4.3 Laser diode controller.........................................................................................11
4.3.1 Instrument switch-on, display menu......................................................................11
4.3.2 LASER Menu.........................................................................................................12
4.3.3 TIMING Menu........................................................................................................13
4.3.4 EXT. INPUTS Menu ..............................................................................................13
4.4 Thermoelectric cooler controller.........................................................................14
4.4.1 TEMPERATURE Menu .........................................................................................14
4.4.2 COOLER Menu......................................................................................................15
4.5 Instrument settings.............................................................................................17
4.5.1 PILOT LASER Menu .............................................................................................17
4.5.2 CALIBRATION Menu.............................................................................................17
4.5.3 CONFIG Menu.......................................................................................................17
4.5.4 Interlock.................................................................................................................17
4.6 Error Messages..................................................................................................18
5Connectors pin-out.........................................................................................20
5.1 Laser diode........................................................................................................21
5.2 Thermoelectric cooler 1......................................................................................22
5.3 Thermoelectric cooler 2......................................................................................23
5.4 Interlock, Pilot Laser, Power Monitor..................................................................24
5.5 Serial interface...................................................................................................25
6Interfaces command description...................................................................26
6.1 Serial interface...................................................................................................26
7Specifications..................................................................................................30

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1 General
The information given in this document is subject to change without notice.
Copyright LASER ELECTRONICS 2012.
All rights reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior written permission is
prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws.
1.1 Warranty and Assistance
This instrument manufactured by LASER ELECTRONICS is warranted against defects in material and
workmanship for a period of 12 months from date of shipment to the customer. During the warranty
period, LASER ELECTRONICS will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be
defective.
The warranty does not apply to defects resulting from improper use or maintenance by the buyer, from
unauthorized modifications or operation outside the environmental specifications and from
electrostatic discharge (ESD).
For warranty service or repair, the instrument should be sent to LASER ELECTRONICS in appropriate
packing. Please enclose a detailed fault report including instrument type and serial number(s).
1.2 Maintenance
The instrument does not require special maintenance if it is used correctly.
Servicing should only be performed by trained service personnel.
1.3 General Safety Considerations
Before switching on the instrument, make sure it has been properly grounded through the supplied AC
power cable to a socket outlet with a protective earth contact. Any interruption of the grounding can
result in personal injury.
This instrument must be used under normal conditions and as specified, otherwise the protection
provided by the instrument could be impaired.
Always replace blown fuses with the same rating and acting speed.
ESD: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) on or near the connectors can damage electronic devices inside
the instrument. Personnel should touch the metal frame of the instrument for a second before touching
any connector.
1.4 Laser Safety
1.4.1 Laser Radiation
This instrument is designed to control laser diodes. Please read also very carefully the operating
instructions given by the manufacturer of the laser diode.
The radiation of the used laser diode may be visible or invisible. These products emit radiation in the
630 to 1560nm spectral region.
Use caution to avoid hazardous exposure to the beam. Take precautions to eliminate exposure
to a direct or reflected beam. Do not look directly into the beam of the laser diode under
conditions which exceeds the specified limits. Never observe the laser beam through optical
instruments.
1.4.2 Laser Class
The laser safety classification and the relevant parameters of the laser diode for normal operation are
indicated on the top of the laser diode. The laser radiation is emitted through the optics at the side of
the laser diode where the warning label is placed or at the fibre connector. The laser diodes are
classified according to EN 60825-1:94.

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General warning label for laser radiation:
Label for laser radiation:
Label for relevant parameters (example) of the laser diode for normal operation and its statements:
Average radiant power at max. rep. frequ.: P
o
Peak radiant power: P
p
Pulse width: t
Max. pulse repetition frequency: F
Wavelength laser radiation: λ
LASER RADIATION
AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO
DIRECT OR SCATTERED RADIATION
CLASS 4 LASER PRODUCT
EN 60825-1:94
Po=50W
Pp=100W
t=1ms
F=500Hz
λ=808nm

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1.5 System contents
Control Unit (Laser Diode Controller)
Cable for serial interface (RS232, D-Sub 9) for interconnecting instrument with PC
Connector (D-Sub 15) for interlock loop, pilot laser and power monitor
AC Power Cable
Manual
Optional:
Heat sink, air-cooled, including cables for connecting the laser diode.
Laser diode mounted on heat sink.
Second cooler controller board, ±5V / ±3A, max.15W for driving a second heat sink.
LD-cable for connecting a laser diode.
Heat sink cable for connecting a heat sink.
Sensor cable for connecting sensors.
Short-circuit bridge for the connector at the cable for the laser diode

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2 Introduction
The instruments of the Laser Diode Controller series are compact control units for driving medium-
power and high-power laser diodes.
The Laser Diode Controller delivers, depending on the version, a current up to 60 A at a voltage of
maximum 12 V.
The Laser Diode Controller is designed for cw and pulsed operation. With pulsed operation, various
settings of duty-cycle, pulse duration and number of pulse events are possible.
The Laser Diode Controller also features external inputs for analogue modulation of the laser diode
and external triggering of the laser diode.
Besides controlling the current of the laser diode, the Laser Diode Controller also features one or two
optional built-in controllers for thermoelectric coolers (Peltier elements). With an optional air-cooled
heatsink (please contact LASER ELECTRONICS) the laser diode can easily be kept at constant
temperature. The heatsink consists of a heat spreader on which the laser diode is mounted, several
peltier elements for heat transportation and a large heatsink profile with fans for sufficient air flow.
The unit consists of several modules. The heart is a microprocessor based central unit which controls
all other power units and provides the link to the display, keyboard and the PC interfaces. All
parameters can be set with only a few push keys and a rotary knob and are shown on the display.
Additionally the parameters can be set and controlled via an interface to a PC. For driving the laser
diode the Laser Diode Controller uses a constant current power supply which is followed by a
sophisticated designed current controlling stage. For driving the thermoelectric cooler a separate high
efficient power supply is used.
The Laser Diode Controller provides maximum laser diode protection by using AC-line filtering,
transient suppression, soft-start, short-circuiting of the output when switched off and setting of
permanent current and temperature limits.

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3 Installation
Please read the whole operating instructions before using this instrument together with a laser diode.
Installation of the instrument
Before installation check the local mains voltage. The instrument is equipped with auto-ranging power
supplies for a continuous input voltage from 85 to 264 V AC @ 50 - 60 Hz. If the primary fuses are
blown these can easily be replaced by the user.
Connect the instrument to the mains. Do not switch on the instrument yet.
Plug in the interlock, pilot laser, power monitor connector to the appropriate connector at the rear side
of the instrument as described in the section Connectors pin-out. This connector provides a closed
loop for the interlock feature.
Installation of the laser diode
Connect the laser diode to the leads of the provided cable as described in the section Connectors pin-
out.
Plug in the cable to the connector labeled Laser at the rear panel of the instrument. Fix the connector
with the locking ring.
Note: The instrument must be turned off before the cable is plugged in.
ESD: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) on or near the connectors can damage electronic devices inside
the instrument. Personnel should touch the metal frame of the instrument for a second before touching
any connector.
Laser diodes are extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Follow the instructions
supplied with the laser diode very carefully.
Installation of the Heat Sink
Connect the heat sink cable and the sensor cable (optional) to the leads of the provided cable as
described in the section Connectors pin-out.
Plug in the cable to the connector labeled Cooler and Sensors at the rear panel of the instrument. Fix
the connector with the locking ring.
Note: The instrument must be turned off before the cable is plugged in.

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4 Operation
After installation of the laser diode, the thermoelectric cooler and the temperature sensor (respectively
the heat sink) and providing the appropriate connections including installation of the Dummy interlock
connector to the instrument the Laser Diode Controller is ready to be switched on.
Please read the whole operating instructions before using this instrument together with a laser diode.
4.1 Elements of the instrument at the front panel
1. Display
2. Keys for setting instrument (Up, Down, Left, Right, Enter)
3. Laser diode on indicator (yellow)
4. Key for turning on laser diode
5. Rotary knob for setting laser diode current and various settings within the menus
6. Power on indicator (green)
7. Power switch mains
8. Connector for input of analogue modulation signal
9. Connector for input of trigger signal
10. Connector for output of trigger signal

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4.2 Elements of the instrument at the rear panel
1. Mains fuse
2. Connector for AC line
3. Connector for Serial Interface (RS232)
4. Connector for Interlock, Pilot Laser (optional) and Power Monitor (optional)
5. Connector for Temperature Sensors and Cooler 2 (optional)
6. Connector for laser diode
7. Connector for Cooler 1 (Heat Sink - thermoelectric cooler 1, temperature sensor 1, fan)