LTB MNL300 Series Application guide

D
De ev vi ic ce e M Ma an nu ua al l
N
Ni it tr ro og ge en n L La as se er r M MN NL L3 30 00 0
September 2016, Rev. 3
LTB Lasertechnik Berlin GmbH •Am Studio 2c •D-12489 Berlin
Tel.: [phone] •Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] •http://www.ltb-berlin.de

Operating Manual MNL 300 2
D
De ea ar r c cu us st to om me er rs s
With the purchase of a laser from the MNL 300 series, you
have selected a state-of-the-art Nitrogen Laser.
The laser satisfies sophisticated needs and demanding
goals in various applications within the industrial area. The
following properties reveal the advantages of the MNL 300.
High pulse power
Minimal beam divergence
Minimal time jitter
Pulse halfwidths in the sub- and nanosecond range
Long lifetime
Low operating costs
These properties make the laser attractive for applications
where high quality, stable output and cost-effectiveness are
required.
The MNL is mainly used in
MALDI-TOF-Mass spectroscopy
Laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy
Time-resolved spectroscopy
laser-induced plasma spectroscopy
Laser ablation
Micro-structuring
Cell dissection under the microscope
Laser acoustics
Calibration of fast sensors
Pump source of dye lasers
Amplification of ultra-short laser pulses
Technological processes like laser-induced bonding,
hardening and cleaning
Special applications in the environment and
biotechnology
The laser operates on the principle of transversal excitation.
A fast high-current discharge will be triggered by means of
a solid-state high-voltage switch thus generating laser
radiation.
Your laser has been carefully tested for all operating states
with LTB’s end test program and left the firm in a good
condition.
LTB wishes you much success in working with the laser on
your projects. If this operation manual does not answer all
your questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Content 3
CONTENTS
1 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 5
1.1 I NVISIBLE LASER RADIATION 5
1.2 H IGH VOLTAGE UP TO 12 K V 6
1.3 D ANGEROUS GASES 6
1.4 S YMBOLS 6
1.5 S ERVICING AND D ISCLAIMER 7
1.5.1 R ESONSIBILITIES OF THE BUYER 7
1.5.2 L IABILITY , R EPLACEMENT PARTS 7
1.5.3 D ISCLAIMER OF I MPLIED W ARRANTY 7
1.6 C LEANING INSTRUCTION 8
1.7 C ONDITIONS O F ACCEPTABILITY 8
2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 9
2.1 P LACE AND WAY OF INSTALLATION 9
2.2 E LECTRIC REQUIREMENTS 10
C ONNECT THE LASER POWER SUPPLY UNIT ONLY TO A MAINS THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE VALUES STATED ON THE
TYPE LABEL . 10
P LEASE OBSERVE : ONLY A MAINS THAT PROVIDES AN EARTHED CONDUCTOR IS TO BE USED . 10
2.3 L ASER CONTROL 10
3 INSTALLATION 11
3.1 C ONNECTIONS 11
3.2 A CCLIMATIZING THE LASER 11
4 OPERATING THE LASER 12
4.1 E STABLISH THE READINESS FOR OPERATION 12
4.2 R EMOTE KEY AND REMOTE SOCKET 12
4.3 T HE EXTERNAL REMOTE CIRCUIT 12
4.4 C ONNECTING EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS 12
4.5 S TARTING THE LASER OPERATION 13
4.6 S WITCHING OFF THE LASER 13
4.7 P ROTECTING THE LASER 13
5 SAFETY FUNCTIONS 14
5.1 C ONFIGURATION OF REMOTE KEY CONNECTOR 14
6 OPTIONAL FEATURES 15
6.1 F IBER COUPLING 15
6.2 E LECTRICAL TRIGGERING 15
6.3 P ULSE ENERGY MEASUREMENT 15

Content 4
7 APPENDIX 16
7.1 S PECIFICATIONS , T ECHNICAL D ATA 16
7.2 T ABLE OF LABELS 18
7.3 I NSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE 21
7.4 D IMENSIONS AND INTERFACES 22
7.5 F UNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM 23
7.6 S AFETY FUNCTIONS 24
7.7 Syncout (optional feature) 25

Safety precautions 5
1 Safety precautions
MNL Lasers are 3B class lasers (IEC 60825-1).
Improper treatment and operation of the laser can cause
damage to your health.
Please follow carefully all the instructions in this manual.
1.1 Invisible laser radiation
The laser emits intensive invisible laser radiation in the UV
range.
Do not look into the laser beam! Direct eye contact
will cause serious damage and possible blindness.
Please always wear laser safety goggles appropriate to
the wavelength of 337.1 nm and ensure that all persons in
the vicinity of the laser also wear laser goggles during
laser operation.
For MNL lasers, you need class L6 laser goggles.
Please observe that there are no reflecting materials in the
beam path by which the laser beam could unintentionally
be directed towards persons or sensitive materials.
Always use beam shutters made of non-inflammable
materials in your set-up.
Always follow the safety regulations.

Safety precautions 6
1.2 High voltage up to 12 kV
A high voltage of up to 12kV is generated in the laser.
Therefore, observe the protected earth connection of the
mains. The earth conductor connection from the laser
housing to the input of the LTB power supply of the laser
is ensured.
Do not open the laser due to occurring dangerous
high voltages in the interior of the laser!
Because of high voltage circuits, the laser should never be
opened nor should any objects be put into the laser casing
openings.
1.3 Dangerous gases
The high-energetic UV radiation causes ozone. No
noxious gases are used in the laser. The cartridge has a
pressure-safe sealing.
Please observe that the laser operating room is
sufficiently ventilated.
1.4 Symbols
Danger of hazardous invisible laser
radiation.
Danger of hazardous high voltage.
Important operating instructions. Please
read the manual first.

Safety precautions 7
1.5 Servicing and Disclaimer
The laser must be used properly. LTB is not liable for
improper use.
Opening of the laser is prohibited. If warranty or general
repair or service to a LTB product is requested by the
customer involving the product’s return to LTB.
1.5.1 Resonsibilities of the buyer
The buyer is responsible for providing the appropriate
utilities and a operating enviroment as outlined in the
product literatur.
Damage to the laser system caused by failure of buyer´s
utilities or failure to maintain an appropriate operating
environment, is solely the responibiliety of the buyer and is
specifically excluded from any warranty, warranty
extension, or services ageement.
1.5.2 Liability, Replacement parts
Any modification of the laser, replacement of components
or adjustment of the laser must be done by authorized
service staff.
Only components tested by LTB must be used.
Any liability and warranty lapses with the opening of the
laser or any modification without LTB’s explicit written
consent.
Damages caused by the disregard of this user manual are
not subject to warranty. LTB will not accept liability for any
resulting defects or problems.
1.5.3 Disclaimer of Implied Warranty
The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties Expressed
or Implied, and there are no warranties of merchantability
or fitness or any other remedies available other than as
expressed herein.

Safety precautions 8
1.6 Cleaning instruction
For cleaning, turn off the laser and disconnect from mains!
Do not use cleaning supplies. Use a slightly moist or dry
cloth to clean the enclosure, be careful with the link.
The laser can be put back into operation after drying.
1.7 Conditions Of acceptability
The user is responsible to verify the requirement of the
standard IEC60825-1:2007 and has to provide information
about NOHD (Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance)and MPE
in his own devise documentation.

System requirements 9
2 System requirements
2.1 Place and way of installation
The laser has to be operated and stored in a dry, dust-
poor and well-ventilated area.
Operation temperature °C +15 ... +38
Storage temperature °C -10 ... +60
Max. rel. humidity % 85
Air pressure mbar 750 ... 1300
Please make sure that the laser is not placed close to any
heat sources.
Moreover observe that the air inlet is on the side of the
beam output of the laser and must not be blocked. We
advice to replace the air inlet filters of the laser every 6 to
18 months depending on the dust concentration of the
cooling air.
The air outlet openings on both sides of the laser cover
must stay free. Minimum spacing to cabinet walls perpen-
dicular to airflow is 80 mm.
No spacing reqirements for other surfaces.
Mounting the laser may only be realized via the base plate
with the red-marked threaded holes.
(See Dimensions and interfaces, appendix 7.4)
The laser may be used in a standing position or hanging
with the beam output downwards. Other positions can be
checked on request.

System requirements 10
Please observe: only a mains that provides an
earthed conductor is to be used.
Connect the laser power supply unit only to a mains
that corresponds to the values stated on the type
label.
2.2 Electric requirements
The laser is supplied with a low voltage of 24 V DC 3.0 A.
A power supply unit providing the low voltage from the
mains is optional part of the delivery.
The mains connection values are:
100 to 240 V, 47/63 Hz, 1.1-0.45 A (see type label).
The laser power supply unit has an earthed conductor
connection that is connected to the laser housing via the
connection cable. The low voltage is off-earth, the minus
line is connected to the frame ground.
Using another power supply requires the written consent
of LTB Lasertechnik Berlin.
2.3 Laser control
The lasers of the MNL 300 series operate without
computer. The laser has to be triggered. The trigger input
is anly optical (HP OWG). Electrical triggering is possible
with optional converter (6.2)
Since there is no beam shutter that fulfills the safety
requirements of system redundancy, the customer has to
sign an OEM agreement. The user has a higher
responsibility for the compliance with laser safety. The
regulations of the IEC 60825-1 (laser safety) are to be
observed.

Installation 11
3 Installation
3.1 Connections
1 Power cable (Mate-N-Lok)
2 External trigger input, optical (HP OWG)
3 Remote key (Mini-USB, Interlock and visual laser
warning)
4 Sync.-Out (SMB, optional)
5 Fiber output (SMA)
3.2 Acclimatizing the laser
We recommend that the laser is acclimatized before it is
switched on in the operating room for 1 hour, if it was
exposed to ambient temperatures outside the allowable
operational temperature range before.
1
3
4
2
5

Operating the laser 12
4 Operating the laser
4.1 Establish the readiness for operation
Connect the power supply unit via the device cord with the
mains. Connect the Mate-N-Lok connector to the laser.
4.2 Remote key and remote socket
The remote socket (see page 10, [3]) is provided for:
- Closing the external remote circuit with the remote
key
- Integrating external applications in the remote
circuit of the laser
The remote key assures the laser against unauthorized
use and serves the additional safety during laser
operation.
Always remove the remote key after switching off the laser
and keep it safe.
With an open remote circuit, the laser cannot be
operated!
4.3 The external remote circuit
The external remote circuit is closed, if the remote key is
plugged into the remote socket (Mini-USB) of the laser.
4.4 Connecting external applications
For additional protection against laser radiation, the
position switch of the laser beam guidance and the sample
chambers of a laser application can be incorporated into
the external remote circuit.

Operating the laser 13
With the opening of the beam guidance or of the sample
chamber the laser will be automatically switched off.
The necessary cables can be obtained from LTB.
4.5 Starting the laser operation
You must provide the laser an external optical trigger
signal.
The input socket (S.10; [2]) is positioned next to the device
cord.
The trigger converter cable (optional) converts electrical
pulses into the corresponding trigger pulses.
If you use the trigger converter cable, please observe the
following requirements:
Amplitude: 5 Volt (TTL, without OFFSET)
Driver current: ≥10 mA
Pulse width: 2 - 60 µs
If you use your own optical trigger source, please observe:
The laser is equipped with a HP OWG receiver system for
∅1 mm POF fibers and requires the following
specifications:
Pulse width of the light impulse 2-60 µs
light power ≥100µW @ 660 nm
4.6 Switching off the laser
Stop triggering the laser and interrupt the operation
voltage.
4.7 Protecting the laser
If you remove the remote key from the remote connection
after switching off the laser, the laser cannot be switched
on by unauthorized persons.

Safety functions 14
1 2 3 4 5
5 Safety functions
To ensure a safe laser operation, a number of monitoring
functions has been set up.
They comprise:
Supervision of the casing, protection against
contact
Temperature monitoring inside the laser
External interlock circuit at remote key connector
5.1 Configuration of remote key connector
Pin configuration description
1 Remote sink
Interlock circuit
2 Remote source
3 LED2 anode
Visual laser
warning
4 LED1 anode
5 Common LED cathode

Optional Features 15
6 Optional Features
6.1 Fiber coupling
The generated laser light is coupled into a quartz fiber.
The fiber diameter is 400, 600 or 1000 µm. The numerical
aperture NA is 0.22.
The transmission of the fiber coupling is approx. 90 %
(1000 µm).
6.2 Electrical triggering
The following components and devices are optionally
available with the MNL 300:
1. TWE 40
Trigger converter for the exact optical external
triggering, if only an electrical trigger source is
available
Input: TTL level 50 Ohm
Output: Optical waveguide fitting the trigger
input of the laser
Time jitter: < 1 ns
2. Trigger converter cable
[electrical (BNC female)/ optical (HP)]
Usage and connections like TWE4 40, but for
standard requirements:
Time jitter: 5 ns,
Amplitude: 5 Volt (TTL, without OFFSET)
Driver current: ≥10 mA
Pulse width: 2 - 60 µs
6.3 Pulse energy measurement
Optionally the Energy meter µ-Joule Meter PEM
250 or PEM 500 can be used to measure the pulse
energy of the laser.

Appendix 16
7 Appendix
7.1 Specifications, Technical Data
General
MNL302
MNL305
MNL308
Wavelength nm 337.1
Spectral bandwidth nm 0.1
Pulse halfwidth FWHM, typ.
1
ns 3
Guaranteed pulse energy (90 % after 60 mill.)
2
µJ 85@20Hz 80@50Hz 75@80Hz
Typ. pulse energy (typ. 70 % after 100 mill.)
2
µJ 28@20Hz 26@50Hz 25@80Hz
Repetition rate (Max) Hz 20Hz 50Hz 80Hz
Peak Power (Max) kW 100
Energy stability SD/<E> (for all rep. rates) % ≤2
Beam dimensions, vertical x horizontal, typ. mm 3 x 4
Beam divergence, vertical x horizontal
3
mrad ≤3.5 x ≤3
Focus stability
4
µm < 15
Beam exit angle, vertical / horizontal, typ. grad +0.5 (±0.2) / 0±0.1
Trigger In Optical or electrical (TTL)
Jitter: ext. trigger ↔laser pulse ns ± 5
Pulse delay: ext. Trigger ↔laser pulse ns 1600 ± 10%
Sync Out (optional): Typ. 3.5 ns before the laser pulse (U>4V)
Jitter: electr. Trigger exit ↔laser pulse ns < 0.2
Warm-up time s < 20
Control External Trigger
Warranty
Mind. 90% from specified start energy (after 40 [60]
mill. pulses or 2 [3] years)
Certifications CE, ETL (UL, CSA, VDE, Semco), FDA
Laser class 3B / IIIb
Electrical interface
Power supply
5
V DC 24
Power consumption (peak) A 3,0
Power consumption (average) A 0,8@20Hz 1,15@50Hz
1,45@80Hz
Maximum power consumption VA 72
Environment and conditions of use
Operating temperature °C +15 ... +38
Storage temperature °C -10 ... +60
Max. relative humidity (non-condensing) % 85
Air pressure mbar 750 ... 1300
Dimensions of the laser (L x B x H) mm 300 x 87 x 87
Weight of the laser kg 2,8
Dimensions of the power supply (L x B x H) mm 180 x 80 x 50
Weight of the power supply kg 0.6
1
reduction of request
2
higher energies on request
3
at max. rep.rate; measuring at 5m distance
4
based on focusing of 60mm
5
via external wide-range power supply (100...240 V AC) (part of the delivery)
Subject to technical changes.

Appendix 17
General
MNL330
Wavelength nm 337.1
Spectral bandwidth nm 0.1
Pulse halfwidth FWHM, typ.
1
ns 3
Guaranteed pulse energy (90 % after 60 mill.)
2
µJ 28@300Hz
Repetition rate (Max) Hz 300Hz
Peak Power (Max) kW 100
Energy stability SD/<E> (for all rep. rates) % ≤2
Beam dimensions, vertical x horizontal, typ. mm 1,5 x 4
Beam divergence, vertical x horizontal
3
mrad ≤2 x ≤3
Focus stability
4
µm < 15
Beam exit angle, vertical / horizontal, typ. grad 0 ±0.2
Trigger In Optical or electrical (TTL)
Jitter: ext. trigger ↔laser pulse ns ± 5
Pulse delay: ext. Trigger ↔laser pulse ns 1600 ± 10%
Sync Out (optional):
Jitter: electr. Trigger exit ↔laser pulse ns < 0.2
Warm-up time s < 20
Control External Trigger
Warranty 200 mill. pulses / 2 years)
Certifications CE, ETL (UL, CSA, VDE, Semco), FDA
Laser class 3B / IIIb
Electrical interface
Power supply
5
V DC 24
Power consumption (peak) A 3,0
Power consumption (average) A 2,75@300Hz
Maximum power consumption VA 72
Environment and conditions of use
Operating temperature °C +15 ... +38
Storage temperature °C -10 ... +60
Max. relative humidity (non-condensing) % 85
Air pressure mbar 750 ... 1300
Dimensions of the laser (L x B x H) mm 300 x 87 x 87
Weight of the laser kg 2,8
Dimensions of the power supply (L x B x H) mm 180 x 80 x 50
Weight of the power supply kg 0.6
1
reduction of request
2
higher energies on request
3
at max. rep.rate; measuring at 5m distance
4
based on focusing of 60mm
5
via external wide-range power supply (100...240 V AC) (part of the delivery)
Subject to technical changes.

Appendix 18
7.2 Table of labels
label type label and symbol
Certification
Identification
Laser power

Appendix 19
label type label and symbol
Aperture

Appendix 20
label type label and symbol
Warning
Guaranty label
Information label