NKT Photonics SuperK CONNECT User manual

SuperK CONNECT and
Fiber Delivery System
PRODUCT GUIDE
Emission beam to fiber interface
Item 800-630-01

PRODUCT GUIDE
This guide applies to the following NKT Photonics products:
CONNECT connection and alignment block (VIS or IR)
Emission path adapter with alignment screws
Item number: A401-X00-000
FDS standard fiber FD1-FD6, or FD10 w/ FC/APC or FC/PC connector
Collimator to fiber to FC/APC or FC/PC connector
Item number: A502-0(1-6/10)0-0(0/1)0
FDS standard fiber PM FD1-FD6, or FD10) w/ FC/APC or FC/PC
connector
Collimator to PM fiber to FC/APC or FC/PC connector
Item number: A502-0(1-6/10)0-1(0/1)0
FDS standard fiber (FD1-FD6, or FD10) with Collimator
Collimator to fiber to collimator
Item number: A502-0(1-6/10)0-020
FDS standard fiber PM (FD1-FD6 and FD10) with Collimator
Collimator to PM fiber to collimator
Item number: A502-0(1-6/10)0-120
FDS LMA fiber (FD7-FD9) with FC/APC or FC/PC connector
Collimator to LMA fiber to FC/APC or FC/PC connector
Item number: A502-0(7-9)0-0(0/1)0
FDS LMA fiber PM (FD7-FD9) with FC/APC or FC/PC connector
Collimator to LMA PM fiber to FC/APC or FC/PC connector
Item number: A502-0(7-9)0-1(0/1)0
FDS LMA fiber (FD7-FD9) with Collimator
Collimator to LMA fiber to collimator
Item number: A502-0(7-9)0-020
FDS LMA fiber PM (FD7-FD9) with Collimator
Collimator to LMA PM fiber to collimator
Item number: A502-0(7-9)0-120
SuperK Fiber Delivery System Product Guide Revision 1.0 08-2021 W-10456

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GUIDE OVERVIEW
This product guide is intended to provide functional, operational and installation
information for the SuperK Fiber Delivery System and specifically the CONNECT
adapter. The guide includes information that covers the Fiber Delivery System
component descriptions, installation, and adjustment.
Warning: Do not operate a SuperK laser before first reading and understanding
all warnings, cautions and handling information stated within its associated docu-
ment:
SuperK {Model Name} Safety Handling and Regulatory Information
The paper copy of this guide is included with your laser; it can also be
downloaded from:
https://www.nktphotonics.com/lasers-fibers/support/product-manuals/
Documentation A USB memory stick is included with your SuperK laser. It contains
documentation for all NKT Photonics products including this accessory.
Terminology The guide may refer to the SuperK CONNECT as just the CONNECT and a Fiber
Delivery collimator with fiber may be referred to as an FD. Both the CONNECT
and Fiber Delivery together are referred to as the Fiber Delivery System or FDS.
Target Audience This guide is for technical personnel involved in the selection, planning and
deployment of lasers and photonic equipment 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 “Description” — Describes the accessory including its general
operational principles, management and interfaces.
• Chapter 2 “Installation” — Includes information and procedures on how to
correctly install the FDS.
• Chapter 3 “Optical Alignment” — Information and procedures on how to align
the accessory output emission beam with a Fiber Delivery using a CONNECT.
• Chapter 4 “Notes on Fiber Delivery” — Information on the selection and care
of the Fiber Delivery.

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• Appendices — Includes specifications and support contact details.
Added information
and Safety Notices
Lasers with their accessories 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 NKTP 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 a laser with the accessory.
Revision This section records the document revision details.
Release date Version and changes
2021-August 1.00 revised format updated from earlier manuals and
documents.

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CONTENTS
Guide Overview ............................................................................................... 3
Documentation ..................................................................................... 3
Terminology ......................................................................................... 3
TABLES ............................................................................................... 7
FIGURES ............................................................................................. 9
PROCEDURES .................................................................................. 11
1 Description .................................................................................................... 13
Fiber Delivery System (FDS).................................................................. 13
Operation ........................................................................................... 13
FD fiber characteristics ...................................................................... 14
Features ................................................................................................. 14
Thumbscrews ..................................................................................... 14
Alignment tool .................................................................................... 14
Horizontal and vertical mounting ........................................................ 15
Reversible coupler holder .................................................................. 15
Armored cable .................................................................................... 15
Safety labels ........................................................................................... 16
2 Installation ..................................................................................................... 17
Mounting the CONNECT ........................................................................ 17
VIS or IR SuperK CONNECT orientation ........................................... 17
3 Optical Alignment .......................................................................................... 21
Aligning the FDS..................................................................................... 21
Tools list ............................................................................................. 21
Pre-alignment ......................................................................................... 21
Coarse alignment ................................................................................... 22
Fine alignment of the FDS...................................................................... 24
Tips for steering the beam path.............................................................. 26
How to use the thumbscrews ............................................................. 26

6
Pinhole sliding .................................................................................... 27
Weak power level .............................................................................. 28
No power measured at start of fine alignment ................................... 29
4 Notes on Fiber Delivery ................................................................................ 31
Selecting standard or photonic crystal fiber delivery .............................. 31
Wavelength transmission ................................................................... 31
Connectors and mating fiber light guides ............................................... 31
Output coupling .................................................................................. 31
PM Fibers and keying............................................................................. 32
Key alignment .................................................................................... 32
Fiber and connector care........................................................................ 32
Cleaning of fiber facets........................................................................... 33
Cleaning tools .................................................................................... 33
A Specifications ................................................................................................ 35
B Service and Support Information .................................................................. 37
Servicing................................................................................................. 37
Opening the chassis .......................................................................... 37
WARRANTY VOID IF REMOVED label ............................................. 37
Support contact details........................................................................... 38
Support website ................................................................................. 38
Shipping address ............................................................................... 38

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TABLES
Table 1: Fiber delivery models - single mode cut off ................................................... 14
Table 2: FD Fiber wavelength and transmission characteristics ............................ 35

8

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FIGURES
Figure 1: Fiber Delivery System – CONNECT and Fiber Delivery ........................... 13
Figure 2: Alignment tool ..................................................................................................... 15
Figure 3: Input coupler – spring-loaded lock ................................................................ 15
Figure 4: FD laser aperture label – front and rear ...................................................... 16
Figure 5: Fiber spectral range and FD type label ........................................................ 16
Figure 6: Input coupler: input power warning label .................................................... 16
Figure 7: SuperK CONNECT mounting orientations – visible port ......................... 18
Figure 8: Fiber delivery unit – input coupler to FC/APC output .............................. 18
Figure 9: Aligning the coupler key .................................................................................. 19
Figure 10: SuperK CONNECT lock screw ...................................................................... 19
Figure 11: Pre-alignment - horizontal mount ................................................................. 22
Figure 12: Coarse alignment – Alignment tool inserted ............................................ 23
Figure 13: Coarse alignment - spot adjustment ........................................................... 24
Figure 14: Fine alignment - power measurement ....................................................... 26
Figure 15: Alignment screw pair markings .....................................................................27
Figure 16: Sliding the alignment tool .............................................................................. 28
Figure 17: Side lobe vs main peak fiber coupling ....................................................... 29
Figure 18: Lint-free wipe example ................................................................................... 33
Figure 19: Example of a fiber cleaning cartridge ......................................................... 33
Figure 20: Warranty seal ....................................................................................................37
white

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PROCEDURES
Procedure 1: Mounting a SuperK CONNECT to an optical output port.................. 17
Procedure 2: Installing an FD module............................................................................. 18
Procedure 3: Pre-alignment............................................................................................... 21
Procedure 4: Coarse alignment....................................................................................... 23
Procedure 5: Fine Alignment of the assembled Fiber Delivery System............... 25
Procedure 6: Obtaining the optimum beam pattern and/or power ....................... 27
Procedure 7: Improving the coarse alignment ............................................................ 29

12

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1 Description
Fiber Delivery System (FDS)
A complete Fiber Deliver System (FDS) consists of a specially prepared fiber and
input coupler termed a fiber delivery (FD) paired with a SuperK CONNECT beam
alignment device. The CONNECT is designed to align a beam from a free-space
aperture so that it enters into the FD fiber with the maximum coupling efficiency.
Operation A CONNECT is mounted directly over an accessory output aperture port where it
can direct the emission beam from the port to the input coupler of an FD. Using
two adjustable mirrors, a CONNECT steers the beam so that it enters the FD fiber
with minimum loss at the input coupleri. Steering of the beam is achieved through
manual adjustment using thumbscrews that pivot the mirrors on two axes
perpendicular to each other. Depending on the FD model, the beam exits the FD
from either a fiber connector or collimator. Multiple FD models are available,
these are characterized by their exit connectors and by their fiber type as shown
in Table 1.
Note: A SuperK CONNECT of an FDS is specified for either IR or VIS wavelength
bands.
Note: When using an FDS mounted to an exit aperture, it is important to properly
mount the SuperK CONNECT to the device before enabling emission from the la-
ser system.
Figure 1 Fiber Delivery System – CONNECT and Fiber Delivery
i. Although the input coupler appears to be an NKTP collimator, it is not a collimator.
Input coupleriwith
armored fiber
Optical output
port
Input coupler
lock screw
Receiving mirror
thumbscrews
Output mirror
thumbscrews
Mounting flange and
optical input port

Features
14
Table 1 Fiber delivery models - single mode cut off
FD fiber
characteristics
A variety of fiber options are available and must be specified when ordering an
FDS. See Table 2 on page 35 for a list of fibers and their specifications. Selection
of fibers is based on your light requirements and delivery connection. Refer to
section “Selecting standard or photonic crystal fiber delivery” on page 31 for
further information on selecting fibers.
Features
Thumbscrews Within the CONNECT, are two spring mounted mirrors that pivot on their X and Y
axes using two pairs of thumbscrews. Each mirror is mounted against two
thumbscrews set apart by 90 degrees. To prevent corrosion with the CONNECT
body, the thumbscrews are composed of bronze and feature knurled knobs.
When a thumbscrew is turned, the mirror pivots on one of the two axes. In this
way, a light beam entering the CONNECT is steered by turning the thumbscrews
until the coupling efficiency of the light entering the fiber is optimized – see the
chapter “Optical Alignment” on page 21 on how to align the beam.
Alignment tool An alignment tool is included with the Fiber Delivery System. It can help
accurately align the CONNECT emission to center it with the fiber input coupler.
The tool is a steel shaft, with a center tube that has a pinhole pupil near the
beveled end of the shaft. When the tool is inserted in the output port of the
CONNECT,
the emission beam is steered so that it passes through the alignment tool
pupil. The effect of this, is to center the beam path towards the FD input coupler and
its fiber facet– see
“Aligning the FDS” on page 21 .
Fiber typei
i. For further fiber specifications, see
Table 2.
Exit connector
Standardii fiber
ii. Standard Single Mode (SM) step index
fiber
FC/APC
Standard fiber FC/PC
Standard PM fiber FC/APC
Standard PM fiber FC/PC
Standard fiber Collimator
Standard PM fiber Collimator
LMAiii fiber
iii. Large Mode Area fiber (Photonic
Crystal fiber)
FC/APC
LMA fiber FC/PC
LMA PM fiber FC/APC
LMA PM fiber FC/PC
LMA fiber Collimator
LMA PM fiber Collimator
2

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Features
Figure 2 Alignment tool
Horizontal and
vertical mounting
The SuperK CONNECT can be mounted either horizontally or vertically onto a
device output aperture, see “VIS or IR SuperK CONNECT orientation” on page 17.
Reversible coupler
holder
The input coupler of an FD is inserted into the CONNECT output port and clicks in
place against a spring-loaded holder. Once inserted, the coupler can be securely
held by tightening the holder lock screw. For some mounting orientations, the lock
access could be blocked. In this case, the holder can be re-inserted on the opposite
side of the CONNECT by unfastening its lock screw and moving the holder assembly
to the opposite side of the CONNECT.
Figure 3 Input coupler – spring-loaded lock
Armored cable For rugged applications, armored fiber is equipped on FD models with an exit
collimator mounted.
Alignment tube
beveled end
Pin-hole pupil
approx. location
Spring-loaded coupler
holder with lock screw
Cover removed from the
coupler lock

Features
16
Safety labels
An SuperK Fiber Delivery (FD) system includes labels that indicate hazards and
safety and product information. An FD includes the following labels types:
• Input power level warning
• FD type and wavelength coverage
• Laser aperture labels with serial number on backside
Laser Aperture
A laser aperture label is tagged on the fiber cable. The serial and product
number of the FD is printed on the back of the label.
Figure 4 FD laser aperture label – front and rear
Wavelength Coverage
Each fiber covers a certain part of the spectrum. The fiber spectral range and FD
type is specified by a label on the cable.
Figure 5 Fiber spectral range and FD type label
Warning: The input coupler of an FD is labeled with an input power warning. FD
systems are limited to 500 mW maximum. Exceeding this limit can damage the FD.
Figure 6 Input coupler: input power warning label
Front Rear

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2 Installation
Mounting the CONNECT
Note: Ensure to mount and fasten the SuperK CONNECT to your accessory before
turning on your laser.
Warning: The input power to the fiber delivery system (FDS) should always be lim-
ited to below 500 mW.
Note: Ensure to select the correct SuperK CONNECT model (VIS or IR) that match-
es with your accessory output port.
To mount a SuperK CONNECT to a laser accessory, follow the steps in
Procedure 1 below.
Procedure 1 Mounting a SuperK CONNECT to an optical output port.
1. Turn off the SuperK laser and ideally, disconnect power from it.
2. Locate the optical output port on your accessory to which the FDS will be
attached.
3. If the port has a cover plate, remove it.
4. Using four M3 x 6mm machine screws, select a vertical or horizontal
orientation (see “VIS or IR SuperK CONNECT orientation” below) and fasten
the SuperK CONNECT to the port.
5. Install the FD following the steps in Procedure 2.
VIS or IR SuperK
CONNECT
orientation
The correct orientation of a SuperK CONNECT with respect to the optical output
port of the CONNECT depends on whether or not the output is coupled to a
polarization maintaining fiber (PM).
• For non-PM fiber – the orientation of the CONNECT is not critical and can be
oriented in any direction. However, ensure to consider access to the SuperK
CONNECT alignment screws and the input coupler locking screw in the final
installation.
• For PM fiber – the SuperK CONNECT must be mounted in the “horizontal”
orientation in order to couple the polarization of the visible beam to the slow-
axis of the fiber.
Figure 7 shows examples of a SuperK CONNECT mounted in both horizontal and
vertical mounting orientations.

Mounting the CONNECT
18
Figure 7 SuperK CONNECT mounting orientations – visible port
Procedure 2 Installing an FD module
Install the FD module (Figure 8) following the steps below.
Figure 8 Fiber delivery unit – input coupler to FC/APC output
1. Ensure the SuperK laser is still off and if possible, disconnect its power
source.
2. Insert the FD coupler into the CONNECT output port until its collar is flush
against the SuperK CONNECT. To insert the coupler completely, the key on
the collar of the coupler must be aligned with the slot on the CONNECT
output aperture as shown in Figure 9.
Vertical mounting Horizontal mounting
FD input coupler

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Mounting the CONNECT
Figure 9 Aligning the coupler key
3. Once the coupler is inserted with its key in the chassis alignment slot, secure
it by tightening the lock screw shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10 SuperK CONNECT lock screw
Note: The lock screw may be mounted on either side of the SuperK CONNECT. If
you cannot access the screw, unfasten and remove the lock screw assembly and
install it on the opposite side of the CONNECT. You may need to remove the CON-
NECT from its mounting location to gain access. See “Reversible coupler holder”
on page 15.
Key Key slot
Lock screw

Mounting the CONNECT
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