OPHIR ORION User manual

OPHIR OPTRONICS
www.ophiropt.com/photonics
100x200mm
LASER POWER METER
USER MANUAL
ORION
ORION
ORION

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction: How to Use This Manual ................... 2
Chapter 2 Quick Reference ........................................................... 3
2.1 Getting Started............................................................................3
2.2 Orion TH - Thermal Heads .......................................................5
2.3 Photodiode Heads .....................................................................6
2.4 Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Heads.......................9
Chapter 3 The Orion Display Unit ............................................... 13
3.1 General Description ............................................................... 13
3.2 Smart Connectors and Multihead Operation................... 13
3.3 Soft Keys and Rightmost Button ......................................... 14
3.4 Power Up and Shut Down .................................................... 16
3.5 Orion Functions which are independent of Head........... 16
3.6 Backlight.................................................................................... 18
3.7 Kickstand................................................................................... 18
3.8 Charging .................................................................................... 18
3.9 Chart Recording....................................................................... 19
Chapter 4 Orion THOperationwithThermopile Heads................ 20
4.1 Thermopile Absorber Heads................................................ 20
4.2 Selecting Settings from the Orion TH Screen.................. 21
4.3 Power Measurement............................................................. 22
4.4 BC20 Heads for Scanned Beams........................................ 24
Chapter 5 OrionPD Operation with Photodiode Heads.............. 27
5.1 Photodiode Heads .................................................................. 27
5.2 Setting up PD300 to display user chosen wavelengths.. 28
5.3 Selecting Settings from the Orion PD Screen ................. 29
5.4 Special Photodiode Heads ................................................... 34
Chapter 6 Using the Orion PE with Energy Heads........ 35
6.1 Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Heads .................. 35
6.2 Selecting Settings and Saving Defaults............................ 36

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6.3 Energy Measurement ............................................................ 41
6.4 Measuring Repeating Pulses of High Energy.................. 43
6.5 Energy Log ................................................................................ 44
Chapter 7 Circuit Description...................................................... 46
Chapter 8 Calibration, Maintenance and Troubleshooting... 48
8.1 Calibration of Thermopile Heads......................................... 48
8.2 Calibration of Photodiode type Heads............................... 53
8.3 Calibration of Pyroelectric and Photodiode Heads.......... 55
8.4 Error Messages....................................................................... 58
8.5 Troubleshooting....................................................................... 58
Chapter 9 Orion Specifications................................................... 60
9.1 System/Display Specifications............................................ 60
9.2 Head Specifications ............................................................... 61

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Chapter 1 Introduction: How to Use
This Manual
The Ophir Orion is a microprocessor-based Laser
Power/Energy Meter for measuring laser power or energy
with Ophir measuring heads. It uses smart connector
technology where just connecting the head configures and
calibrates the instrument.
This manual tells you what you need to know to make full
use of the Orion for all your laser measurement needs. It
includes a "Quick Reference", (Chapter 2) to allow you to
perform basic measurements immediately, without reading
the whole manual.
The main measurement sections, Chapters 3 through 6
include a general description and a section detailing
operating options.

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Chapter 2 Quick Reference
2.1 Getting Started
The Orion is equipped with "soft keys." That is, the functions
of the keys change as indicated by the legend above each
key. (See Figure 2).
When the Orion is first switched on, the first screen usually
has a digital display with a bargraph at the bottom. In order
to access the soft keys, press the rightmost button, located
on the right of the panel. Pressing the button again will
access more functions. Pressing it yet again will bring you
back in a cyclical manner to the original bargraph screen.
To connect head to the Orion Display
Insert the D type connector of the measuring head cable
into the socket marked "Head Input" on the rear panel of the
Orion display. (See Figure 1)
Figure 1
Orion Rear Panel View
To switch the Orion on:
1. Push up the slide switch on the left side of the Orion
display. (See Figure 2).

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Figure 2.
Orion Top View
The unit will switch on, and the display will appear. Note
that the head must be plugged in before the unit is switched
on.
To switch the Orion off:
1. Return the slide switch to its original position.
2. If you wish to save the current Orion configuration, use
the "config" function before switching off. Refer to the
main body of the manual for details.
To set the line frequency:
1. Disconnect the head and switch off then on again. "No
Head Connected" will appear.
2. Press "select" until "line freq" is highlighted.
3. Press "go" then change to correct frequency.
4. Press "exit" and change will be saved.

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To zero instrument
1. Disconnect the head, turn off then on again. "No Head
Connected" will be displayed.
2. Press "select" until "zero" is highlighted.
3. Press "go".
4. Make sure instrument is not in an electrically noisy
environment and is undisturbed. Press "go" and wait for
message, "zeroing completed". Press "exit".
5. For thermal heads, zeroing with the head may also be
necessary. See section 3.5.2.
2.2 Orion TH - Thermal Heads
2.2.1 Use of the Orion TH with thermal type
heads
To set to the type of laser being used:
1. While the Orion TH is off, plug in the head then switch it
on again.
2. From bargraph measurement screen, press the leftmost
button and press "config".
3. Press “value” to choose the desired laser wavelength
then press “exit”.
4. Press “yes” or “no” depending if you want the
wavelength chosen to be the startup default or not.
2.2.2 To choose manual or automatic
ranging in power measurement:
1. From the bargraph measurement screen, press the
leftmost button and press "config".
2. Press “select” then “value” to choose the desired
power range then press “exit”.
3. Press “yes” or “no” depending if you want the
wavelength chosen to be the startup default or not.

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2.2.3 Power Measurement
Warning:
Do not exceed maximum head limits for power, energy,
power density and energy density as listed in tables 6
and 7 in section 9.2. Otherwise, there is a risk of
damaging the absorber.
To subtract background and set current reading to zero:
1. From the bargraph power measurement screen press
the rightmost button then press "offset". Press the
“next” twice to return to the bargraph screen.
2. Press "offset" again to cancel. See Section 4.4.2.1. for
full details.
To use the Orion TH to fine tune Laser power:
1. From the bargraph power measurement screen press
the rightmost button twice then press "tune".
2. Set the percentage range of the power scale to be
displayed by repeatedly pressing the left key.
3. Set the horizontal sweep time using the middle soft key
See Section 4.4.2.2. for full details.
2.3 Photodiode Heads
2.3.1 Use of the Orion PD with photodiode
type heads
To set type of laser being used:
1. From the bargraph power measurement screen, press
the rightmost button once and press "config".
2. Press “value” and “select” to choose the laser
wavelength. Press “exit”. If you want the choice to be
saved permanently as the startup default, press “yes”,
otherwise press “no”.

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2.3.2 To choose manual or automatic
ranging or dBm
1. From the bargraph measurement screen, press the
rightmost button then press “config”.
2. Select RANGE: and with “value” choose the
appropriate manual range, autorange or dBm
(logarithmic scale).
3. Press "exit" and then press “yes” if you want the choice
to be the startup default or “no” if not.
2.3.3 Selecting Chosen Wavelengths
1. From the power measurement mode with the bargraph
display, press the rightmost button twice and then
press “wvlnth”
2. Press "select" until the wavelength you wish to change
is highlighted. Press "change".
3. Press "up" and "down" to change the wavelength. Press
"done". Repeat step 2 for other wavelengths desired.
When finished press exit and the new values will be
saved.
2.3.4 Choosing Wavelength Used
1. From the bargraph measurement screen, press the
rightmost button twice and press "wvlnth". Press
“select” until the correct laser type or wavelength is
displayed.
2. Press “exit” to return to the bargraph screen. (If the
wavelength you want is not among the 6 choices see
section 2.3.3).
2.3.5 Choosing Measurement Range and
Filter Setting
1. From the bargraph measurement screen, press the
rightmost button once and press “config”.
2. Press "select" and then choose the appropriate manual
power range, autorange or dBm by pressing the "up" or
"down" buttons.
3. Press “select” again and choose the desired setting,
filter IN or OUT.

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4 Press "exit" and then press the “yes” if you want the
choice to be the default startup. Press “no” if you only
want the choice until the instrument is turned off.
2.3.6 Power Measurement
Warning:
Do not exceed maximum head limits for power, energy,
power density and energy density as listed in tables 6
and 7 section 9.2 Head Specifications. Otherwise, there
is a risk of damaging the absorber.
To offset current reading and set to zero:
1. From the bargraph power measurement screen press
the rightmost button, press "offset" then press “next”
twice to return to the bargraph screen.
2. Press "offset" again to cancel. See Section 4.4.2.1 for
more details.
To use the Orion PD to fine tune laser power:
1. From the bargraph power measurement screen press
the rightmost button twice then press "tune".
2. To set the power expansion scale to ±50% ,±120% or
±20% as desired, press the left hand soft key several
times. The default value is ±50%. If the laser power will
change a lot, use a large value; if a little, use a small
value.
3. Set the horizontal sweep time to the rate desired, using
the middle soft key. The default value is 1 minute.
4. Press “tune” to return to the measurement screen.
Measure the power of the laser and adjust the laser
until you determine that the power has reached a
maximum.