qutools quTAG MC User manual

quTAG MC
Time-to-Digital Converter
Manual V1.0

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Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 quTAG MC –state of the art time-to-digital converter............................................... 4
1.2 Technical overview................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Jitter Measurement.................................................................................................. 5
2. Safety and Maintenance.................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Legend..................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 General Instructions................................................................................................. 6
2.3Environmental Conditions........................................................................................ 7
2.4 Electrical Installation................................................................................................ 7
2.5 Preventive Maintenance........................................................................................... 7
2.6 Safety Testing .......................................................................................................... 8
2.7 Cleaning .................................................................................................................. 8
3Technical Specifications .................................................................................................. 9
4Variants and Options......................................................................................................11
5Hardware Description ....................................................................................................12
5.1 Front side................................................................................................................12
5.2 Displays on the front panel......................................................................................13
5.3 Rear side .................................................................................................................13
5.4 Marker Inputs .........................................................................................................14
5.5 Output Channels.....................................................................................................15
5.6 Synchronization ......................................................................................................16
5.7 First Setup ..............................................................................................................16
6Software Installation and Configuration .........................................................................17
6.1 Software Installation...............................................................................................17
6.2 Firmware Update ....................................................................................................18
6.3 Hardware ID ...........................................................................................................19
6.4 Option Upgrade ......................................................................................................20
7Daisy Software...............................................................................................................21
7.1 Counting ................................................................................................................21
7.2 Coincidences...........................................................................................................23
7.3 Histograms.............................................................................................................24
7.4 Correlation Measurement: HBT ...............................................................................25
7.5 Lifetime Measurement............................................................................................27
7.6 Detector Parameter Settings ...................................................................................28
7.7 Filters .....................................................................................................................30
8Other Software Components..........................................................................................32
8.1 quTAG custom software ("DLL") ...............................................................................32
8.2 Tarec ......................................................................................................................32
8.3 Command Line Interface .........................................................................................33
9FAQ / Trouble Shooting ..................................................................................................34
9.1 USB Driver Version ..................................................................................................34
9.2 Firmware Version....................................................................................................34

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9.3 Unexpected Delays .................................................................................................34
9.4 Low Resolution........................................................................................................35
10 Revision History..........................................................................................................36

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1. Introduction
1.1 quTAG MC –state of the art time-to-digital converter
The quTAG MC –Multi Channel –is a time-to-digital converter that measures electric signals
and marks them with time tags. This stream of time tags can be used in various and versatile
applications –from measurements in the picosecond range up to an hour.
The universal time tagging method allows correlation measurements (cross-correlation, auto-
correlation), lifetime measurements (start-(multi)stop) and many more possibilities within one
measurement. The saved stream of time tags contains all information needed to reconstruct
every measurement and analysis performed.
1.2 Technical overview
The key features of the quTAG device are:
•High timing resolution (bin size 1 ps)
•High event rates
•USB3.0 interface
•Easy-to-use
The device can be used for a variety of Applications:
•Time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC)
•Fluorescence lifetime imaging
•Quantum information experiments
•LIDAR

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•High energy/accelerator physics
•High precision time measurements
Channels input
1 Start / 8, 16, 32 Stop
Bin width
1 ps
Timing jitter –RMS, FWHM
20 ps, 50 ps
Input pulse high level
-5.0 V ... + 3.5 V
Input Impedance
50 Ohm
1.3 Jitter Measurement
In order to measure the jitter, we generate an electrical pulse with steep edges. This pulse gets
split into two by a power splitter and sent into two different inputs of the quTAG (i.e. start and
stop-X or stop-X and stop-Y). Then we use the quTAG software to generate a start-stop-
histogram.
We fit a Gaussian function to this histogram and determine RMS and FWHM. The single
channel jitter corresponds to σ/ √2 from this two-channel measurement, assuming equal
Gaussian contributions from both signals. The FWHM can be obtained by the standard
deviation with the relation FWHM = 2 √2 ln 2 σ≈2.35 σ.

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2. Safety and Maintenance
2.1 Legend
Caution
General risk of danger.
Warning
An instruction which draws attention to the
risk of injury or death.
Warning
Risk of electric shock. High voltages present.
2.2 General Instructions
The equipment, as described herein, is designed for use by personnel
properly trained in the use and handling of mains powered electrical
equipment. Only personnel trained in the servicing and maintenance of this
equipment should remove its covers or attempt any repairs or adjustments.
If malfunction is suspected, immediately return the part to the vendor for
repair or replacement. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the
electronics. Modified or opened electronics cannot be covered by the
warranty anymore. Take special care if connecting products from other
manufacturers. Follow the General Accident Prevention Rules.
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer,
the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. Do not operate
the instrument outside its rated supply voltages or environmental range. In
particular, excessive moisture may impair safety.
For laboratory use only. This unit is intended for operation from a normal,
single phase supply, in the temperature range 5° to 40°C, 20%to 80%RH.

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2.3 Environmental Conditions
Warning. Operation outside the following environmental limits may
adversely affect operator safety:
•Indoor use only
•Maximum altitude 2000 m
•Temperature range 5°C to 40°C
•Maximum humidity less than 80%RH (non-condensing) at 31°C
•To ensure reliable operation the unit should not be exposed to
corrosive agents or excessive moisture, heat or dust. If the unit has
been stored at a low temperature or in an environment of high
humidity, it must be allowed to reach ambient conditions before
being powered up.
2.4 Electrical Installation
The unit must be connected only to an earthed fused supply of 100 to 240V
(Japan, USA and Europe).
Use only power supply cables supplied by the manufacturer, other cables
may not be rated to the same current. The unit is shipped with appropriate
power cables for use in Europe. When shipped to other territories the
appropriate power plug must be fitted by the user.
Never connect any cabling to the electronics when contacts are exposed!
Avoid short-cuts.
Prevent electrical shock from electronic. To prevent electrical shock do not
remove the cover of the control unit. Unplug power cord and all other
electrical connections and consult qualified service personnel when
servicing or cleaning. Operate only under dry conditions and at room
temperature conditions.
2.5 Preventive Maintenance
The equipment contains no user serviceable parts. There is a risk of severe
electrical shock if the equipment is operated with the covers removed. Only
personnel authorized by the vendor and trained in the maintenance of this
equipment should remove its covers or attempt any repairs or adjustments.
Maintenance is limited to safety testing and cleaning as described in the
following sections.

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2.6 Safety Testing
Safety testing in accordance with local regulations, should be performed on
a regular basis, (typically once per year for an instrument in daily use).
Caution. The instrument contains a power supply filter. Insulation testing
of the power supply connector should be performed using a DC voltage.
2.7 Cleaning
Disconnect the power supply before cleaning the unit. Never attempt to
clean the quTAG by immersion into any liquid. Never allow water to get
inside the case. The quTAG parts are sensitive to any kind of liquid. Do not
use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder, or solvent, e.g. alcohol or
benzene. Please note that all parts of quTAG are cleaned in our production
facility.

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3 Technical Specifications
Time to digital converters
Digital resolution
1 ps
Timing jitter –RMS, FWHM
20 ps, 50 ps
Max. event rate per channel
100 Mcps
Sustained throughput rate
100 Mcps (USB3.0)
Delay range
-50 … +50 ns
Delay resolution
1 ps
Min. pulse to pulse separation
10 ns
Differential non-linearity
<1%
Max. acquisition time without overflow
1.25 h
Input Channels
Number of channels
1 start / 8, 16, 32 stop
Connector
SMA
Signal level range
-5.0 V … + 3.5 V, e.g. LVTTL, NIM
Offset voltage max.
± 10 mV
Min. input level
± 50 mV
Threshold level resolution
0.15 mV
Threshold voltage range
- 3.0 V…+ 3.0 V
Threshold voltage offset max.
± 25 mV
Edge
Rising, falling
Min. input pulse width
1 ns
Termination
50 Ohm
Output Channels
Number of channels
2
Connector
D-Sub, Pins 3 & 1
Signal levels
LVTTL
Delay range
-100… 100 ns
Delay resolution
10 ps
Impedance
50 Ohm

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Clock Input
Frequency
1 –100 MHz
Signal levels (threshold)
-5 V … +5 V
Signal form
Sinusoidal, square wave
Termination
50 Ohms
Input connector
SMA
Marker Inputs
Marker Inputs
4
Input pulse width minimum
10 ns
Input pulse level
Low -0.5 … 0.8 V
High 2.0 … 5.5 V
Input Impedance
470 Ohm
Digital resolution
5 ns
Timing Jitter
2 –5 ns
Connector
D-Sub, Pins 7, 6, 20, 19
Sync Output
Signal type
Square wave
Frequency
10 MHz
Signal level
LVTTL
Output impedance
50 Ohms
Connector
SMA
Operation
Interface
USB3.0
Operating system
Windows, Linux
Power consumption
< 50W at 100 to 230 VAC, 50-60 Hz