THORLABS WFS150 User manual

2007
Operation Manual
Thorlabs Instrumentation
Optical Wavefront Sensor
WFS150 / WFS150C

Version:
Date: 1.2 December, 2007
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH

Table of Contents
Foreword 3
Part I General 5
................................................................................................................................... 51 Safety
................................................................................................................................... 52 Warranty
................................................................................................................................... 63 WEEE
......................................................................................................................................................... 7Waste Treatment on your own Responsibility
......................................................................................................................................................... 7Ecological Background
Part II Getting Started 9
................................................................................................................................... 91 WFS150/WFS150C Quick Start-up
......................................................................................................................................................... 9Software Installation
......................................................................................................................................................... 18Connection to the PC
......................................................................................................................................................... 22Start the Application
Part III Description 24
................................................................................................................................... 271 Shack-Hartmann Functional Principle
................................................................................................................................... 292 Parts List - Accessories
................................................................................................................................... 313 Technical Data
................................................................................................................................... 324 Certifications and Compliances
Part IV Operating Instruction 34
................................................................................................................................... 341 Preconditions
................................................................................................................................... 342 Measurement with the Wavefront Sensor
......................................................................................................................................................... 39Coordinate Definitions
................................................................................................................................... 413 The Graphics User Interface (GUI)
......................................................................................................................................................... 41Start the GUI
......................................................................................................................................................... 43Operating the Wavefront Sensor Software
.................................................................................................................................................. 43Menu and Toolbar
.................................................................................................................................................. 49Lineview Panel
.................................................................................................................................................. 52Spotfield Panel
.................................................................................................................................................. 54Beam View Panel
.................................................................................................................................................. 56Wavefront Panel
.................................................................................................................................................. 61Zernike Coefficients Panel
......................................................................................................................................................... 63Wavefront Sensor Setup Panel
.................................................................................................................................................. 64Camera Settings Setup
.................................................................................................................................................. 69Pupil Definitions Setup
.................................................................................................................................................. 72Wavefront Setup
.................................................................................................................................................. 74Zernike Fit Setup
.................................................................................................................................................. 77Miscellaneous Setup
......................................................................................................................................................... 80Measurement Results
......................................................................................................................................................... 83Measurement Warnings and Errors
......................................................................................................................................................... 84User Calibration
......................................................................................................................................................... 88Save Measurement Data
......................................................................................................................................................... 92Version and other Program Information
......................................................................................................................................................... 92Save Instrument Settings
......................................................................................................................................................... 92DataSocket for live data transfer
.................................................................................................................................................. 95Configuration Panel
.................................................................................................................................................. 96Available Data Items
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH

.................................................................................................................................................. 98WFS Receiver Application sample
......................................................................................................................................................... 99Printing
Part V Service and Maintenance 102
................................................................................................................................... 1021 Service
................................................................................................................................... 1022 Troubleshooting
Part VI Listings 106
................................................................................................................................... 1061 List of Acronyms
................................................................................................................................... 1072 Addresses
Part VII Appendix 109
................................................................................................................................... 1091 Zernike Fit and Zernike Modes
................................................................................................................................... 1112 Microlens Data
................................................................................................................................... 1133 Typical Wavelength Curves
................................................................................................................................... 1154 Wavefront Sensor Drawing
................................................................................................................................... 1165 WFS Reference Position
................................................................................................................................... 1176 WFS Mounting Adapter
Index 118
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH

We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application
in the field of optical measurement technique. To help us to come up
to your expectations and develop our products permanently we need
your ideas and suggestions. Therefore, please let us know about
possible criticism or ideas. We and our international partners are
looking forward to hearing from you.
Thorlabs GmbH
This part of the instruction manual contains every specific information on
how to handle and use the WFS150/WFS150C Wavefront Sensor.
Attention
This manual contains "WARNINGS" and "ATTENTION" label in
this form, to indicate danger for persons or possible damage of
equipment.
Please read these advises carefully!
NOTE
This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.
G G
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH

General
WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
Part I

5General
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
1General
This chapter contains general information about the Wavefront Sensor's safety,
warranty and waste treatment.
1.1 Safety
G
Attention
G
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this
instruction manual will only apply when the unit is operated correctly.
Before applying power to your PC system used to display Wavefront
Sensor data, make sure that the protective conductor of the 3
conductor mains power cord is correctly connected to the protective
earth contact of the socket outlet!
Improper grounding can cause electric shock with damages to your
health or even death!
All modules must only be operated with duly shielded connection
USB-
C
ables
delivered by Thorlabs
.
Only with written consent from
Thorlabs
may changes to single
components be carried out or components not supplied by
Thorlabs
be
used.
This precision device is only transportable if duly packed into the
complete
original packaging including the plastic form parts. If
necessary, ask for a replacement package.
Do not stick something into the aperture at the Wavefront Sensor front!
You may damage the microlens array because there is no covering
glass in front of it.
Be very careful in handling high power optical beams,
especially if they are focussed!
Avoid skin irradiation and use laser
protection glasses the protect your eyes!
1.2 Warranty
Thorlabs
warrants material and production of the
W
FS150/WFS150C
for a period
of 24 months starting with the date of shipment. During this warranty period
Thorlabs
will see to defaults by repair or by exchange if these are entitled to
warranty.
For warranty repairs or service the unit must be sent back to
Thorlabs
or to a
place determined by
Thorlabs
. The customer will carry the shipping costs to
Thorlabs
,
in case of warranty repairs
Thorlabs
will carry the shipping costs back
to the customer.
If no warranty repair is applicable the customer also has to carry the costs for

6WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
back shipment.
In case of shipment from outside EU duties, taxes etc. which should arise have to
be carried by the customer.
Thorlabs
warrants the hard- and software determined by
Thorlabs
for this unit to
operate fault-free provided that they are handled according to our requirements.
However,
Thorlabs
does not warrant a faulty free and uninterrupted operation of
the unit, of the soft- or firmware for special applications nor this instruction
manual to be error free.
Thorlabs
is not liable for consequential damages.
Restriction of warranty
The warranty mentioned before does not cover errors and defects being the result
of improper treatment, software or interface not supplied by us, modification,
misuse or operation outside the defined ambient conditions stated by us or
unauthorized maintenance.
Further claims will not be consented to and will not be acknowledged.
Thorlabs
does explicitly not warrant the usability or the economical use for certain cases of
application.
Thorlabs
reserves the right to change this instruction manual or the technical data
of the described unit at any time.
1.3 WEEE
As required by the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive)
of the European Community and the corresponding national laws, Thorlabs offers
all end users in the E
C
the possibility to return "end of life" units without incurring
disposal charges.
This offer is valid for Thorlabs electrical and electronic equipment
·
sold after August 13
th
2005
·
marked correspondingly with the crossed out "wheelie bin" logo (see fig. 1)
·
sold to a company or institute within the E
C
·
currently owned by a company or institute within the E
C
·
still complete, not disassembled and not contaminated
As the WEEE directive applies to self contained operational electrical and
electronic products, this "end of life" take back service does not refer to
other
Thorlabs products, such as
·
pure OEM products, that means assemblies to be built into a unit by the
user (e. g. OEM laser driver cards)
·
components
·
mechanics and optics
·
left over parts of units disassembled by the user (PCB's, housings etc.).
If you wish to return a Thorlabs unit for waste recovery, please contact Thorlabs
or your nearest dealer for further information.

7General
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
1.3.1 Waste Treatment on your own Responsibility
If you do not return an "end of life" unit to Thorlabs, you must hand it to a
company specialized in waste recovery. Do not dispose of the unit in a litter bin or
at a public waste disposal site.
1.3.2 Ecological Background
It is well known that WEEE pollutes the environment by releasing toxic products
during decomposition. The aim of the European RoHS directive is
to reduce the
content of toxic substances in electronic products in the future.
The intent of the WEEE directive is to enforce the recycling of WEEE. A
controlled recycling of end of live products will thereby avoid negative
impacts on
the environment.
Crossed out "Wheelie Bin" Symbol

Getting Started
WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
Part II

9Getting Started
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
2Getting Started
This section is provided for those interested in getting the
W
avefront Sensor
up
and running quickly. The more detailed description and advanced
features are
described in the following sections.
2.1 WFS150/WFS150C Quick Start-up
This Quick Start
-up
guide
will lead you through the software installation process
and
guides you starting the application
and introduces the most
important
functions of the
instrument.
G
Attention
G
Please, install software prior to connect the
instrument to your PC via USB interface.
System requirements
·
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 2000®, Windows XP®
or higher
·
USB 2.0 high speed port
(A
USB 1.1
full speed port is
not usable
!)
There
is only one
software component that must be properly installed and
activated in order to
allow USB control of your
WFS150/WFS150C Wavefront
Sensor
.
This software
must be installed prior to make any electrical connections
between the
Wavefront Sensor
and
P
C
via
USB
interface.
2.1.1 Software Installation
I
nsert the "Thorlabs
Wavefront Sensor
CD
1.2
"
(or higher)
CD-ROM, included
with your
WFS150/WFS150C
Wavefront Sensor
package. It
automatically starts
up and displays the installation start screen.
In case this 'auto start' feature is disabled on your computer
please
execute the
'
Autorun.exe
'
file
within the folder 'Autorun' on the CD
.
The following screen will appear:

10 WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
There are in total two
software components selectable.
Install Sensor USB
Drivers
This installs the
Wavefront Sensor
USB drivers onto your
computer.
Note, that this driver is identical to the USB
drivers for Thorlabs DCU USB2.0 cameras.
Install
Wavefront
Sensor Application
Software
This installs the
Wavefront Sensor
application and USB
drivers onto your computer.
Note:
It is recommended to close all other programs on your computer prior to
start the installation process. Do install both components in the order:
1.
USB Driver
2.
Application Program
prior to connect the Wavefront Sensor hardware.
1. Installing the Sensor USB Drivers
Don't wonder that a driver for a Thorlabs DCU USB2.0 camera is being installed.
This is correct because the Wavefront Sensor uses such a camera and therefore
the same drivers. 'uc480' is the name of the appropriate camera driver software.

11Getting Started
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
Click 'Next' to proceed.
It is sufficient to choose '
Drivers
' in order to install the required camera drivers
only. A complete installation of the camera application software and its
documentation is not necessary.
Click 'Next' to proceed.

12 WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
Click 'Next' to proceed or select an alternative folder where to install the driver.
Let the destination folder name unchanged and click 'Next'.

13Getting Started
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
Click 'Next' and the installation process starts.
The following panel will appear. Let the options enabled to generate shortcuts to
the uc480Viewer software and click 'Next'.
Click 'Next' to proceed.

14 WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
The 'WhatsNew.txt' file will inform you about latest changes of the camera
software, it can be disabled.
Click 'Next' to proceed.
If it is required to restart your computer leave option 'Yes' enabled and click
'Finish' to reboot the computer.

15Getting Started
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
2. Installing the Wavefront Sensor application software
Click on '
Install Wavefront Sensor Application Software
' to start the installation
procedure. The following opening screen will appear:
Click 'Next' to proceed.
Read the License Agreement carefully. Mark 'I accept the License Agreement'
and click 'Next' to proceed.

16 WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
You will be informed about items that are going to be installed. Click 'Next' to
proceed.
The installation process will take a minute. If no error occurs the following
message appears:

17Getting Started
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
Click 'Finish' to complete the installation process.
Depending on your operating system it may be required to restart your computer.
Click 'Restart' to reboot your system.

18 WFS150 / WFS150C Manual
© <2007> ... Thorlabs GmbH
2.1.2 Connection to the PC
Connect the
Wavefront Sensor
to a USB 2.0 high speed port of your
computer. Use only the cable that comes with the
Wavefront Sensor or a
cable qualified for high speed USB2.0 standard
.
G
Attention
G
The Wavefront Sensor will
not work
on a full speed USB1.1 port!
Be sure to connect it to a high speed USB2.0 port.
Do not use
cables
which are not explicitly suited for
high speed USB data transfer, this
can cause
transmission errors and improper instrument operation!
After connection of the instrument Microsoft Windows
®
will load the appropriate
drivers for the
Wavefront Sensor
.
In fact
, since the Wavefront Sensor consists of
a modified Thorlabs DCU camera,
the
driver
software
is basically the same for
both instruments.
G
Attention
G
Don't worry about that a 'Thorlabs DCU camera' is displayed in the
device manager. This is because the Thorlabs Wavefront Sensor
consists basically of a Thorlabs DCU camera which is also available
separately from Thorlabs.
Since both instruments, the DCU camera and the Wavefront Sensor
use the same driver software, they are not distinguishable in the device
manager, both instruments are displayed as 'Thorlabs DCU camera'.
A differentiation takes place only inside the Wavefront Sensor
application program wfs.exe that accepts only WFS150 and
WFS150C devices for operation.
Depending on your Microsoft Windows
®
settings t
he 'Found new Hardware
Wizard'
appears optionally. It
will lead you through this process.
Note:
You
may be prompted to confirm the driver installation.
Note:
The 'Found New Hardware Wizard' will appear twice, first to assign the
installed boot driver and second to assign the real driver for the camera
hardware.