Quantifi Photonics 2000 Series User manual

LASER
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2000 SERIES
Swept, tunable, continuous
wave laser source
PXIE USER MANUAL
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quantifiphotonics.com

Copyright © 2022 Quantifi Photonics Ltd All rights reserved.
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Units of Measurement
Units of measurement in this publication conform to SI standards and practices.
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[phone]
[email protected]
User manual version: 1.02
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Table of contents
1 What's in this user manual? 7
2 Conventions 8
3 Safety information 9
3.1 Optical laser radiation precautions 9
3.2 Electrostatic discharge precautions 10
3.3 Electromagnetic compatibility 11
4 Introducing the LASER 2000 Series 12
4.1 Hardware description 13
4.2 Status LEDs 14
4.3 Operation modes 15
4.3.1 Fixed mode 15
4.3.2 Step mode 15
4.3.3 Sweep mode 16
4.4 Trigger output signal 18
4.4.1 Polarity inversion 19
4.4.2 Decimation factor 20
5 Setting up hardware 21
5.1 Install the module in a PXIe chassis 22
5.2 Uninstall the module from a PXIe chassis 23
6 Installing software 24
6.1 Install the Cohesion Installer software package 25
6.2 Cohesion Manager 27
6.3 Cohesion Firmware Updater 28
7 CohesionUI - Overview 29
7.1 Access a module with CohesionUI 30
7.2 Display modules in a chassis 31
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7.3 Select a module to work with 32
7.4 Set values 33
7.5 SET values and ACTUAL values 34
7.6 Manage CohesionUI settings 35
7.7 Synchronize and reinitialize CohesionUI 37
7.8 SCPI CohesionUI Command Console 39
7.9 View system information 42
7.9.1 PXIe Chassis 42
7.9.2 Module 42
8 Controlling your LASER with CohesionUI 43
8.1 Step mode 44
8.2 Sweep mode 45
8.3 Fixed mode 46
8.4 Power reference scan 47
8.5 Trigger controls 48
9 Controlling LASER with SCPI commands 49
9.1 Overview 49
9.2 Programming conventions 50
9.2.1 Index addressing of modules (slot, source) and units (channel) 50
9.3 Status and event registers 51
9.3.1 Standard Event Status Register 51
9.3.2 Standard Event Status Enable Register (Mask) 51
9.3.3 Status Byte Register 51
9.3.4 Service Request Enable Register (Mask) 52
9.3.5 Status and event registers diagram 53
9.4 PXIe Multi Chassis mode operation 54
9.4.1 NI-MAX application Multi Chassis mode 54
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9.4.2 SCPI Multi Chassis commands 55
9.5 Command summary 57
9.5.1 Common commands 57
9.5.2 Slot commands 57
9.5.3 Configuration commands: laser operation 58
9.5.4 Configuration commands: trigger functionality 59
9.6 Command descriptions 60
9.6.1 Common commands 60
9.6.2 Slot commands 62
9.6.3 Configuration Commands: laser operation 64
9.6.4 Configuration Commands: trigger functionality 76
10 Programming applications 81
10.1 Setting up NI-MAX application 82
10.2 Setting up NI-VISA application 83
10.3 Setting up LabVIEW application 84
10.3.1 Soft Panels 84
10.3.2 LabVIEW Virtual Instruments (VIs) 85
10.4 Python® 2.7 code example 86
10.5 MATLAB® code example 87
11 Working with optical fibers 88
12 System requirements 90
13 Maintenance 91
13.1 Annual calibration schedule 91
14 Technical Support 92
14.1 Contacting the Technical Support Group 92
14.2 Transportation 92
15 Warranty Information 93
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15.1 General information 93
15.2 Liability 93
15.3 Exclusions 93
15.4 Certification 94
15.5 Service and repairs 94
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1 What's in this user manual?
You can find the following information in this document:
Before you begin Conventions
Safety information
Working with optical fibers
System requirements
Getting started Introducing the LASER 2000 Series
Setting up hardware
Installing software
Working with your device CohesionUI GUI:
CohesionUI - Overview
Controlling your LASER with CohesionUI
SCPI commands:
Controlling LASER with SCPI commands
Programming applications
Managing your LASER Cohesion Manager
Cohesion Firmware Updater
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2 Conventions
Please make yourself familiar with these conventions; we use them throughout this user manual:
WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Do not proceed unless the required conditions are met and understood.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury or component damage.
Do not proceed unless the required conditions are met and understood.
NOTE
Indicates relevant information that requires your attention.
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3 Safety information
Carefully read all safety information before using your Quantifi Photonics product.
3.1 Optical laser radiation precautions
Quantifi Photonics LASER 2000 Series products are Class 1M laser products.
WARNING
To protect yourself from harm caused by optical radiation:
Do not install or terminate fibers while the light source is active.
Turn the Quantifi Photonics product OFF before inspecting the end face(s) of the product, or any optical patch cords connected to it.
Never look directly into a live fiber; ensure that your eyes are protected at all times.
CAUTION
The use of controls, adjustments, and procedures other than those specified in this document may result in exposure to hazardous situations
involving optical radiation.
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3.2 Electrostatic discharge precautions
CAUTION
The product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). To ensure that you do not cause ESD damage to the product:
Always follow proper grounding and ESD management practices.
Store the unused product in the original protective electrostatic packaging that it was shipped in.
Use a wrist strap and grounding table mat when unpacking or handling the product.
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3.3 Electromagnetic compatibility
CAUTION
For electromagnetic compatibility, this product is a Class A product. It is intended for use in an industrial environment. There may be potential
difficulties in ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in other environments, due to conducted as well as radiated disturbances.
This symbol on the unit refers to documentation provided with the product for related safety information. Ensure that the required conditions
are met and understood before using the product.
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4 Introducing the LASER 2000 Series
The LASER 2000 Series provides a laboratory-grade swept, tunable laser source in the O-band or C-band.
It can act as both a step-tuned source or a swept-wavelength laser source. It uses a high-quality grating paired with state-of-the-art micro-
electromechanics tuning mechanism for quick, voltage-controlled wavelength tuning and exceptional reliability.
With 0.01 dB power stability and 400 nm/s high-speed scan rate, it is the perfect time-saving tool for R&D applications as well as production testing.
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Programming interfaces
Through its programming interfaces you can take advantage of the fully SCPI-compliant command language and choose from programming tools
such as LabView, C++, Python, or any of the other popular programming languages used to control automatic test equipment (ATE).
CohesionUI
Quantifi Photonics' graphical user interface CohesionUI runs on Windows and provides a virtual front-panel to control all aspects of the instrument
using standard browsers.
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4.1 Hardware description
1Status LED 7Fastening clip
2Laser output port 8IEC laser hazard warning
3Sync trigger output (SMA max 3.3V TTL) 9Fastening screw
4Start/stop trigger output (SMA max 3.3V TTL) 10 PXIe header
5Product label 11 Module identifier label
6Product compliance label 
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4.2 Status LEDs
The LED shows the status of the channel:
LED Meaning
OFF
Product is powered OFF
Product is powered ON and the laser is DISABLED / OFF
solid RED
Product is powered ON and the laser is ENABLED / ON
Do NOT look into the fiber or inspect it while the laser is ENABLED / ON!
flashing RED
During startup: Indicates the initialization of the LASER module.
After startup, if flashing persists for more than 15 seconds: Indicates an error.
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4.3 Operation modes
You can configure the laser to perform a sweep across a chosen wavelength range and operate your LASER module in:
lFixed mode
lSweep mode
lStep mode
You can synchronize other measurement tools, for example fast optical power meters, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes, via the trigger outputs:
lThe start/stop trigger output signal enables synchronization to the start/stop of each wavelength sweep and step.
lIn sweep mode, the sync trigger signal enables synchronization during a sweep.
4.3.1 Fixed mode
In fixed mode you set one wavelength; the laser steps to the set wavelength and remains there.
4.3.2 Step mode
In step mode you configure a sweep by setting the start and stop wavelength (range), the step size, and the dwell time between steps. On starting the
sweep, the laser wavelength steps by the set step size and stops for the duration of the dwell time. The laser then moves to the next wavelength until it
covers the whole range (range/step size = number of steps).
If the device is configured for multiple sweeps, the laser returns to the start wavelength after getting to the end of the step range and repeats the
sweep as above.
Start/stop trigger signal in step mode:
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4.3.3 Sweep mode
In sweep mode you configure a sweep by setting the start and stop wavelength (range), and the sweep rate. On starting the sweep, the laser sweeps
over the set wavelength range.
If the device is configured for multiple sweeps, the laser returns to the start wavelength after getting to the end of the range and repeats the sweep as
above.
Start/stop trigger and sync trigger signals in sweep mode:
Every pulse of the sync trigger line represents an equal increase in wavelength, based on the selected sweep rate.
Sync pulse resolution
The following table lists various sync trigger parameters against typical sweep speeds. Δ WL is the change in wavelength for every sync pulse.
Sweep speed (nm/s) Period (μs) Pulse width (μs) Δ WL (pm)
400 50 16 20
300 66.7 24 20
200 50 16 10
160 62.5 20 10
150 66.7 24 10
120 83 32 10
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Sweep speed (nm/s) Period (μs) Pulse width (μs) Δ WL (pm)
100 50 16 5
80 50 16 4
60 83 32 5
50 80 28 4
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4.4 Trigger output signal
Your LASER module generates a trigger signal through its Start/stop and Sync trigger output.
You can route the signal to the PXI backplane trigger lines; refer to Configuration commands: trigger functionality.
Trigger output Operation mode Description
Start/stop trigger
step mode Signals the transition from one wavelength of the laser (rising edge) to another wavelength
where the laser is ready and dwelling (falling edge)
sweep mode Signals the start/stop of each sweep by generating a pulse on rising edge (start) and falling
edge (stop)
Sync trigger sweep mode Outputs a pulse when the wavelength is ready at the rising edge
You can manipulate the generated output signals by:
linverting the polarity of the signal (refer Polarity inversion)
lsetting a decimation factor to reduce the number of trigger pulses (refer Decimation factor )
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4.4.1 Polarity inversion
The trigger polarity inversion feature enables you to invert the trigger output signals.
By default the unmodified signal is active high, meaning the logic level is high when there is activity. When inverting the signal, the signal will be
flipped and becomes active low.
Polarity Signal
0 (default) active high
1active low
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4.4.2 Decimation factor
Setting a decimation factor N for the trigger output signal enables you to reduce the number of trigger pulses.
The decimation factor is an integer ≥ 0 and sets the number of pulses to skip after the first pulse of 1+N pulses.
Decimation factor Details Keep Skip
<N>skip <N> pulses after the first pulse, repeat 1 <N>
0 (default) the generated signal remains unchanged 1 0
1skip 1 pulse after the first pulse, repeat 1 1
3skip 3 pulses after the first pulse, repeat 1 3
Examples
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