NKT Photonics SuperK Extreme User manual

SUPERK EXTREME
PRODUCT GUIDE
White Light Laser

PRODUCT GUIDE
This guide includes the following NKT Photonics Lasers:
SuperK Extreme
Supercontinuum White Light Laser with optional Variable Repetition Rate
SuperK Extreme OCT
Supercontinuum White Light Laser with Low Noise Output for Optical Coherence
Tomography
SuperK Extreme Product Guide Revision 1.0 12-2019 W-10456

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GUIDE OVERVIEW
This product guide is intended to provide functional, operational and installation
information for the SuperK Extreme laser systems. The guide is divided into three
sections:
• SuperK Extreme Description – introduces the laser’s theory and
functionality, its features and interfaces, and describes the safety labels and
their placement.
• Operating the Laser – provides information and procedures on how to
configure communications with the laser and manage its operation.
• Installing the Laser – includes the details on how to install the laser chassis
variants and connect it to the management platform and your application
systems.
For information on how to safely deploy and operate the laser refer to the
following documents:
• SuperK Extreme Safety, Handling and Regulatory Information
Target Audience This guide is for technical personnel involved in the selection, planning and
deployment of lasers in laboratory and industrial settings. The guide assumes a
reasonable knowledge level of lasers, photonic principles and electrical interface
connectivity.
Chapters Inside This guide includes the following chapters:
• Chapter I “Laser description” — Describes the SuperK Extreme laser series
including its general operational principles, management and interfaces.
• Chapter 2 “Front Panel Controls” — Describes the laser’s front panel menu
and controls that directly operate the laser.
• Chapter 3 “Connecting and turning ON the laser” — Provides information and
procedures on how to connect to the laser’s management software and use it
to turn the laser emissions ON and OFF.
• Chapter 4 “CONTROL Interface” — Includes descriptions and procedures of
all other CONTROL menu and panel items.
• Chapter 5 “Configuring External Control” — This chapter provides the details
to on how to implement external signals to modulate the output, enhance
power stability and gate the output pulses.
• Chapter 6 “Mechanical Installation” — Includes information and procedures
on how to correctly install the laser chassis. Procedures within this chapter
focus on providing adequate temperature regulation.

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• Chapter 7 “Connecting the Laser” — This chapter provides the information on
how to physically connect the safety interlock, power, the optical collimator,
and the synchronization interfaces.
• Appendices — The guide includes multiple appendices including laser
specifications, support contact details, accessory descriptions and
miscellaneous procedures supporting the laser operation and installation.
Added information
and Safety Notices
Lasers are highly dangerous devices that can cause serious injury and property
damage. This guide use the following symbols to either highlight important safety
information or provide further information in relation to a specific topic.
Note: Highlights additional information related to the associated topic and/or pro-
vides links or the name of the NKT guides describing the additional information.
Caution: Alerts you to a potential hazard that could cause loss of data, or damage
the system or equipment.
Warning: The laser safety warning alerts you to potential serious injury that may
be caused when using the laser.
Revision The section records the document revision details.
December 2019 – First release

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CONTENTS
Guide overview .................................................................................................................... 3
TABLES ...................................................................................................................11
FIGURES ................................................................................................................13
PROCEDURES ......................................................................................................17
Section 1 SUPERK EXTREME DESCRIPTION 19
1 Laser description ................................................................................................................21
Terminology .......................................................................................................... 21
Accessories .......................................................................................................... 22
CONTROL ............................................................................................................. 22
Temperature regulation .................................................................................... 22
Optical output ............................................................................................................ 22
Supercontinuum .................................................................................................. 22
Spectral output .................................................................................................... 22
Collimator ...............................................................................................................23
Beam diameter .................................................................................................... 24
Factory test report .............................................................................................. 24
Output polarization ............................................................................................ 24
Polarization ring .................................................................................................. 24
Variable Repetition Rate (Pulse Picker) .............................................................. 25
Repetition rates ................................................................................................... 25
Using VRR ............................................................................................................. 25
Output power ....................................................................................................... 25
Reflection monitor .................................................................................................... 26
Front panel controls ................................................................................................. 26
Operation LCD panel ..........................................................................................27
Return button ........................................................................................................27
Enter button ..........................................................................................................27

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Operation dial ...................................................................................................... 27
Power LED ............................................................................................................ 27
Emission LED ....................................................................................................... 27
Emission button ................................................................................................... 27
Key switch ............................................................................................................. 27
Rear panel interfaces .............................................................................................. 28
Output Control ..................................................................................................... 28
Seed Pulse output .............................................................................................. 29
Post VRR synchronization interfaces ............................................................. 29
Modulation input .................................................................................................. 31
External Feedback (stabilization) ..................................................................... 31
Configuration and operation overview ................................................................ 31
CONTROL application ........................................................................................ 31
Advanced laser control ..................................................................................... 32
Key switch and interlock safety ...................................................................... 32
Laser accessory management ........................................................................ 32
Status LEDs ................................................................................................................ 33
Chassis labels ............................................................................................................ 34
Section 2 OPERATING THE LASER 35
2 Front Panel Controls .........................................................................................................37
Overview ..................................................................................................................... 37
General operation ................................................................................................37
Menu items ................................................................................................................. 38
Output emission control .................................................................................... 38
Interlock ................................................................................................................. 38
Key Switch ............................................................................................................ 39
Reset Interlock ..................................................................................................... 39
Operating Mode .................................................................................................. 39
Repetition rate ..................................................................................................... 40
Input readouts ....................................................................................................... 41

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Status display .........................................................................................................41
Date and time ...................................................................................................... 42
Display contrast ...................................................................................................43
Display backlight ..................................................................................................43
Serial numbers .....................................................................................................44
Firmware versions ...............................................................................................44
Emission button ........................................................................................................ 45
3 Connecting and turning ON the laser ..........................................................................47
CONTROL software ..................................................................................................47
Installing the software ........................................................................................47
Connecting the laser to a CONTROL PC ............................................................47
USB connection ...................................................................................................47
Controlling the laser emissions ............................................................................ 49
Safety ..................................................................................................................... 49
Preparation ........................................................................................................... 49
Turning ON the laser ......................................................................................... 49
Errors ...................................................................................................................... 50
Turning OFF the laser ........................................................................................ 50
4 CONTROL Interface ..........................................................................................................53
CONTROL overview ................................................................................................ 53
Relocating panels ............................................................................................... 54
Toggling panels .................................................................................................. 55
Connecting to the laser .................................................................................... 55
Status Panel ............................................................................................................... 56
Status Indicators ................................................................................................. 56
System Info ............................................................................................................57
Measurements ......................................................................................................57
Emission button ....................................................................................................57
Control settings ................................................................................................... 58
CONTROL menu ....................................................................................................... 60
Key Updater tool ................................................................................................. 60

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Log Downloader ................................................................................................... 61
Extensions overview .......................................................................................... 63
CONTROL – Operating mode ............................................................................... 64
Variable Repetition Rate (Pulse Picker) ........................................................ 64
Application Log panel .............................................................................................65
Device Monitor .......................................................................................................... 66
5 Configuring External Control ......................................................................................... 69
External Feedback ...................................................................................................69
Output Control ........................................................................................................... 70
Modulation Input ........................................................................................................ 71
Section 3 INSTALLING THE LASER 73
6 Mechanical Installation ....................................................................................................75
General installation ............................................................................................. 75
Installing the laser chassis ..................................................................................... 76
7 Connecting the Laser .......................................................................................................77
Connecting the safety interlock ............................................................................ 78
Interlock operation ..............................................................................................78
Connecting power ....................................................................................................80
Connecting the optical output (collimator installation) .................................... 81
Back reflection ...................................................................................................... 81
Installing the collimator ...................................................................................... 81
Connecting Accessories with the External Bus ................................................ 82
External Bus ......................................................................................................... 82
Connecting the External Bus ........................................................................... 83
Connecting synchronization ports ....................................................................... 84
Terminating synchronization signals ............................................................. 85
Example synchronization circuit ..................................................................... 85
Seed Pulse ............................................................................................................ 86
Gate Out ................................................................................................................ 86
Pulse Monitor ....................................................................................................... 86

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NIM Pulse .............................................................................................................. 86
Appendices
A Specifications ......................................................................................................................91
B Service and Support Information ..................................................................................93
Servicing the laser ................................................................................................... 93
Opening the laser chassis ................................................................................ 93
WARRANTY VOID IF REMOVED label .......................................................... 93
Support contact details ........................................................................................... 93
Support email ...................................................................................................... 93
Online support web-page ................................................................................ 93
Shipping address ................................................................................................ 93
C Accessories ....................................................................................................................... 95
Accessory descriptions ........................................................................................... 96
Polarization Ring ................................................................................................. 96
SuperK Varia ........................................................................................................ 96
SuperK Select .......................................................................................................97
SuperK LLTF ......................................................................................................... 98
SuperK Split .......................................................................................................... 99
SuperK Connect .................................................................................................100
SuperK Extend UV .............................................................................................102
D Control Software .............................................................................................................103
Installing CONTROL ................................................................................................103
E Troubleshooting and Errors .........................................................................................109
Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................109
Alarms codes and recovery ...................................................................................110
Possible fault causes .........................................................................................110

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TABLES
Table 1: Beam diameter (1/e limit) after collimator for three wavelengths ............. 24
Table 2: Frequency versus VRR factor ........................................................................... 25
Table 3: Status LEDs............................................................................................................ 33
Table 4: Chassis labels ....................................................................................................... 34
Table 5: Front panel menu items ......................................................................................37
Table 6: Operating modes ................................................................................................. 64
Table 7: Device Monitor parameters............................................................................... 66
Table 8: External Feedback Input parameters ............................................................. 69
Table 9: Modulation Input Limitations...............................................................................71
Table 10: Modulation Input - power modulation mode example ..............................72
Table 11: Air flow considerations........................................................................................76
Table 12: External Bus connection mode....................................................................... 83
Table 13: Pulse synchronization signals ......................................................................... 84
Table 14: NIM Pulse connection specification............................................................... 85
Table 15: Optical ................................................................................................................... 91
Table 16: Interfaces .............................................................................................................. 91
Table 17: Mechanical dimensions .................................................................................... 92
Table 18: Electrical................................................................................................................ 92
Table 19: SuperK Extreme accessories ......................................................................... 95
Table 20: Varia specifications........................................................................................... 96
Table 21: Select AOTF types ............................................................................................. 98
Table 22: LLTF Contrast Model Specifications............................................................. 99
Table 23: SPLIT Wavelength ranges..............................................................................100
Table 24: Fiber delivery specifications...........................................................................101
Table 25: Extend UV specifications................................................................................102
Table 26: Laser troubleshooting ....................................................................................109
Table 27: Errors codes and recovery action .................................................................110

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FIGURES
Figure 1: SuperK Extreme general view .......................................................................... 21
Figure 2: Supercontinuum output of the laser ............................................................. 23
Figure 3: SuperK Extreme collimator ............................................................................. 23
Figure 4: Polarization ring mounted on a collimator .................................................. 24
Figure 5: Front panel features ......................................................................................... 26
Figure 6: Rear panel features and connectors ............................................................ 28
Figure 7: Seed Pulse output ............................................................................................. 29
Figure 8: NIM pulse output ............................................................................................... 30
Figure 9: Pulse monitor output ........................................................................................ 30
Figure 10: SuperK Extreme rear panel status LEDs .................................................... 33
Figure 11: SuperK Extreme Panels ................................................................................... 34
Figure 12: Constant current level adjustment .............................................................. 38
Figure 13: Interlock circuit open notification ................................................................ 39
Figure 14: Key switch off notification .............................................................................. 39
Figure 15: Reset interlock request .................................................................................. 39
Figure 16: Operating mode selection ............................................................................. 40
Figure 17: Operating mode selection .............................................................................. 41
Figure 18: Input readouts – feedback signal level ....................................................... 41
Figure 19: Status display sub-menu ................................................................................ 42
Figure 20: Date and time configuration ....................................................................... 42
Figure 21: Display contrast sub-menu ............................................................................ 43
Figure 22: Display brightness setting ............................................................................ 43
Figure 23: Serial number sub-menu ............................................................................... 44
Figure 24: Firmware version sub-menu ......................................................................... 44
Figure 25: CONTROL panel navigation ......................................................................... 53
Figure 26: Dragging panels to a new location in the main window ...................... 54
Figure 27: Dragging panels outside the main window ............................................. 54
Figure 28: Toggling panel visibility ................................................................................. 55

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Figure 29: Quick connect .................................................................................................. 55
Figure 30: Status Panel ......................................................................................................56
Figure 31: CONTROL settings ........................................................................................... 58
Figure 32: Watchdog ..........................................................................................................58
Figure 33: Clock Settings ..................................................................................................59
Figure 34: View ....................................................................................................................59
Figure 35: Menu items .......................................................................................................60
Figure 36: Extensions Overview ...................................................................................... 63
Figure 37: Operating mode ............................................................................................... 64
Figure 38: Repetition rate and NIM trigger delay controls .......................................65
Figure 39: Repetition Rate scale selection ...................................................................65
Figure 40: Application Log window ................................................................................66
Figure 41: Output Control trigger vs optical output rise ............................................ 70
Figure 42: SuperK Extreme installation ......................................................................... 76
Figure 43: Interlock connected to a door switch - Laser ON ................................... 78
Figure 44: Interlock connected to a door switch - Laser SHUTDOWN ................. 79
Figure 45: Inserting the Collimator into a Holder ........................................................ 82
Figure 46: Collimator Installed into a SuperK Accessory Receptacle ................... 82
Figure 47: Collimator Installed in a Holder Receptacle .............................................82
Figure 48: External Bus circuit - with no accessories used ...................................... 83
Figure 49: External Bus circuit - with multiple accessories in a daisy chain ........ 84
Figure 50: Synchronization ports with output signals ...............................................85
Figure 51: Example Pulse Circuit .....................................................................................86
Figure 52: Pulse (NIM) trigger delay control ................................................................. 87
Figure 53: Varia ....................................................................................................................96
Figure 54: Select .................................................................................................................. 97
Figure 55: Select AOTF example output - 640nm central wavelength ................98
Figure 56: SuperK LLTF Contrast ....................................................................................99
Figure 57: SuperK Split .................................................................................................... 100
Figure 58: SuperK Connect ..............................................................................................101
Figure 59: Extend UV ....................................................................................................... 102

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PROCEDURES
Procedure 1: Connecting a PC to the laser using a USB cable ............................... 48
Procedure 2: Turning on the laser.................................................................................. 50
Procedure 3: Turning off the laser ................................................................................... 51
Procedure 4: Relocating panels ...................................................................................... 54
Procedure 5: Using the Key Updater tool...................................................................... 61
Procedure 6: Using the Log Downloader ..................................................................... 62
Procedure 7: Connecting the door interlock circuit ................................................... 80
Procedure 8: Connecting power..................................................................................... 80
Procedure 9: Installing the Collimator............................................................................. 81
Procedure 10: Installing CONTROL.................................................................................103

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SECTION 1
SUPERK EXTREME DESCRIPTION
This section provides a description of the laser and its features.
•“Laser description” on page 21
•“Optical output” on page 22
•“Reflection monitor” on page 26
•“Front panel controls” on page 26
•“Rear panel interfaces” on page 28
•“Configuration and operation overview” on page 31
•“Status LEDs” on page 33
•“Chassis labels” on page 34

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