THORLABS LS5000 Series User manual

Operation Manual
Thorlabs Instrumentation
Laser Sources
LS5000 Series
2009

Version: 2.15
Date: 19.10.2009
Copyright©2009, Thorlabs

Contents Page
1General description 1
1.1Safety 1
1.2Features 5
1.3Technical data 7
1.4Operating elements at the front of the card 9
1.5Connecting an optical fiber 9
1.6Installing and removing cards 10
2Getting Started 11
2.1Preconditions 11
2.2The Graphics User Interface (GUI) 12
2.2.1Start the GUI 12
3Operating the LS5000 16
3.1Operating elements in the main window 16
3.1.1Wavelength Control 16
3.1.2Power Control 17
3.1.3The Modulation Control 17
3.1.4The Status messages field 18
3.2Menu items 18
3.2.1The ‘File’ menu 18
3.2.2The ‘Connection’ menu 19
3.2.3The cards menu 20
3.2.4The ‘Preferences’ menu 21
4Service and Maintenance 23
4.1Troubleshooting 23
4.2Recalibration 23
5Appendix 24
5.1Warranty 24
5.2Thorlabs “End of Life” policy (WEEE) 25
5.2.1Waste treatment on your own responsibility 25
5.2.2Ecological background 26
5.3List of Acronyms and abbreviations 27
5.4List of figures 28
5.5List of possible status messages 29
5.6Certifications and compliances 30
5.7Copyright 32
5.8Addresses 33

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
This part of the instruction manual contains every specific information on how to
handle and use a LS5000 card. A general description is followed by explanations of
how to operate the unit remotely.
Attention
This manual contains “WARNINGS” and “ATTENTION” label in this
form, to indicate dangers for persons or possible damage of equip-
ment.
Please read these advises carefully!

1.1 Safety
1 General description
1.1 Safety
Attention 
The modules ‘LS5000’ are class 1M laser sources.
Emitted wavelength: 1 single wavelength in the range
1454 nm … 1625 nm, according to ordered wavelength.
Emitted optical power: up to 20 mW, according to ordered output
power! Numerical aperture of the beam 0.11.
INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION
DO NOT VIEW DIRECTLY WITH
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS!
CLASS 1M LASER PRODUCT
CAUTION – The use of optical instruments with these products will
increase eye hazard!!
LS5000 / page 1

1.1 Safety
Attention 
The laser modules supplied by Thorlabs are class 1M laser systems.
However, if you collimate or focus the laser beam you will create a
class 3R or class 3B laser system!
In that case additional safety measures have to be observed!
For the individual wavelength and output power see the certificate of
calibration supplied with the module!
Never switch on the output with no fiber connected and switch off
the output before disconnecting the fiber!
NOTE
The products are classified and labeled according to
IEC 60825-1/Am2 (2001).
If you need an additional aperture label according to CFR § 1040.10.g (5)
please use the adhesive labels delivered with the TXP LS5000 and place
them clearly visible for any possible user on your laser set-up!.
LS5000 / page 2

1.1 Safety
Attention 
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 TXP system, make sure that the
protective conductor of the 3 conductor mains power cord is correct-
ly 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 be fixed with all screws provided for this purpose.
Modules of the 5000 series must only be operated in mainframes of
the TXP series.
All modules must only be operated with duly shielded connection
cables.
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 dispatchable if duly packed into the
complete original packaging including the plastic form parts. If
necessary, ask for a replacement package.
LS5000 / page 3

1.1 Safety
Attention 
Mobile telephones, cellular phones or other radio transmitters are
not to be used within the range of three meters of this unit since the
electromagnetic field intensity may then exceed the maximum
allowed disturbance values according to IEC 61326-1.
The TXP must not be operated in explosion
endangered environments.
LS5000 / page 4

1.2 Features
1.2 Features
•Mains filter
Protection against line transients and interferences.
•Line failure protection
In case of line failure/line damage the laser module is switched off and must
explicitly be switched on anew.
•Action check
After power up the laser modules are in LASER OFF mode.
•LabVIEW®- and LabWindows/CVI®-driver
For the TXP-series cards Thorlabs supplies LabVIEW®- and
LabWindows/CVI®-drivers for MS Windows 32.
Please refer to our homepage for the latest driver updates.
http://www.thorlabs.com
The laser fibers are connected via FC/APC connectors at the front of the module.
(Other connectors optional).
Each module is protected against overheating of the output stage by an automatic
shutdown. The LED "ERR" indicates that the module is switched off. After a decline
in temperature of about 10 °C the LED "ERR" extinguishes and the output can be
reactivated
The laser wavelength of the LS5000 module is adjusted by operating the laser diode
at a certain temperature. The wavelength is user adjustable.
The TXP contains a forced air cooling system with built-in fans. Depending on the
temperature the air flow of the fans is adapted automatically.
All settings can be changed via remote control from a PC.
LS5000 / page 5

1.2 Features
The mains filter installed in the mainframe and the careful shielding of the
transformer, the microprocessors as well as the module itself provide an excellent
suppression of noise and ripple.
On request, all LS5000 modules can be supplied in a variety of versions, e.g. with
different powers or wavelengths.
LS5000 / page 6

1.3 Technical data
LS5000 / page 7
1.3 Technical data
(All technical data are valid at 23 ± 5°C and 45 ±15% humidity)
General data
Laser source DFB laser diode with isolator
Operating Temperature 0 … + 35 °C (non condensing)
Storage temperature - 40 … + 60 °C
Warm-up time for rated accuracy 15 min
Mechanical width of module 1 slot
Weight < 0.7 kg
Wavelength
Channel spacing ITU grid (100 GHz) 1)
Wavelengths C and L band
Tuning range ± 0.85 nm
Accuracy ± 25 pm; ±10 pm (typ.)
Stability (typ.) < 0.005 nm / 24 h
Resolution 1 pm
Spectral linewidth (typ.) < 10 MHz
Output Power
Optical power (Pmax) 20 mW
Accuracy 0.6 dB (abs.), 0.4 dB (rel.)
Stability (with coherence control on) < 0.002 dB (15 sec)
< 0.005 dB (60 min)
< 0.01 dB (24 h)
Setting range (attenuation, continuously variable) > 6 dB; 10 dB (typ.)
Resolution 0.01 dB
SMSR (side mode suppression ratio) at Pmax > 40 dB typ. (> 36 dB min.)
RIN (relative intensity noise) -145 dB/Hz (typ.)
Optical Isolation > 35 dB
1Subject to DFB laser diode availability, 50 GHz and 25 GHz grid on request

1.3 Technical data
LS5000 / page 8
Coherence control
Linewidth with modulation adjustable, up to 1 GHz
Shape Sine, Square, Triangle
Frequency 0.02 … up to 20 kHz
Modulation depth 0.1 … 100 %
Analog LF Modulation (Option)
Frequency Range DC… 50 kHz
Input Voltage Range -10 V … +10 V
Input Impedance 10 kΩ
Connector SMA
Optical Parameters
Optical Output Connector FC/APC 2)
Fiber PMF 3)
Safety Class 1M
Security features Global Interlock (TXP5016 only)
2Other connector styles (SC, E2000...) and non-angled (PC) ferrule on request
3Connector key aligned to slow axis on request

1.4 Operating elements at the front of the card
1.4 Operating elements at the front of the card
LED’s for:
Card Selected
Laser ON
Operating Erro
r
Modulation Input (SMA, optional)
Laser Safety Class Sign
Optical Output (FC/APC)
Ejector Handle
Figure 1 LS5000 front view
1.5 Connecting an optical fiber
Depending on the construction of the optical connector the fiber is to be connected to
the optical output by means of a corresponding plug.
NOTE
Do not to confuse the FC/APC with the FC/PC connector.
The corresponding type of connector is marked on the module.
Never switch on the output with no fiber connected!
LS5000 / page 9

1.6 Installing and removing cards
1.6 Installing and removing cards
The Thorlabs TXP series mainframes are ‘Hot-Swappable’, that means you do not
have to switch off the mainframe while exchanging cards:
•Loosen the two mounting screws on top and below the ejector handle
•Push the red button of the ejector handle and flip down the black ejector
handle. This pulls out the card from its internal plug.
You can now remove the card. If you do not insert another card, please close the
empty slot with a blind module to maintain a proper cooling air flow inside of the unit.
Re-tighten the two screws.
LS5000 / page 10

2.1 Preconditions
2 Getting Started
This section gives a quick introduction how to operate the LS5000.
2.1 Preconditions
1. Precondition: you have installed and initialized the connection between the
TXP and your PC according to the manual of the corresponding TXP main-
frame.
2. You have installed the card specific software driver (is normally installed
together with the TXP Administrator and TXP Explorer). If not, insert the CD-
ROM delivered with the TXP / card into your CD-ROM drive. If the ‘autorun’
function is active on your PC, the installation program should start automatical-
ly. If not start the program ‘TXP Suite.exe’ on the CD. The installation wizard
leads you through the installation process. When it comes to the type of
installation, select ‘custom’. Then mark the components for the LS modules
and proceed with the installation.
3. Insert the LS5000 card in your TXP mainframe (see 1.6 Installing and
removing cards).
4. Switch on the TXP if not yet done
The TXP system is now ready for operation and you can start the card specific
graphics user interface (GUI).
LS5000 / page 11

2.2 The Graphics User Interface (GUI)
2.2 The Graphics User Interface (GUI)
2.2.1 Start the GUI
To start the graphics user interface you have two possibilities:
1. Use the TXP Explorer or
2. Directly start the program: TXP_LS.exe
1) Start the TXP-Explorer and connect to the desired mainframe . You will get a
system overview of the selected TXP mainframe (all TXP-Explorer details are
explained in the mainframe manual):
Figure 2 The TXP Explorer Window
Now select the module you want to control (here shown in slot [4]) and launch the LS
specific operating program by clicking the button ‘Use card with standard module’.
Now the card specific operating software starts (TXP_LS.exe):
LS5000 / page 12

2.2 The Graphics User Interface (GUI)
Figure 3 The LS5000 GUI Surface
Alternatively:
2) Start TXP_LS.exe directly.
In this case you must connect to the desired card in the corresponding mainframe
through the ‘Connection’ menu. Clicking ‘Connect’ opens the selection window for the
mainframe IP-address (see Figure 4). If necessary (ask your system administrator)
also enter the port-number and a timeout-value in the ‘advanced’ section (see Figure
5).
Click ‘OK’ and the program will yield a selection of all possible LS cards, which are
accessible. Not shown are cards, which are in use by another program / operator.
(See Figure 6). Select the card you want to use and confirm with ‘OK’. You are now
connected to this specific card and can operate it in the main window (Figure 3).
LS5000 / page 13

2.2 The Graphics User Interface (GUI)
Figure 4 Select the IP-Address
Figure 5 Select Portnumber and Timeout
LS5000 / page 14

2.2 The Graphics User Interface (GUI)
Figure 6 The card selection window
LS5000 / page 15

3.1 Operating elements in the main window
3 Operating the LS5000
3.1 Operating elements in the main window
3.1.1 Wavelength Control
By selecting one of the items in the drop-down window, you can select between
wavelength display, display in wavenumbers or display in frequency.
The small arrows at left of the display field allow to adjust the wavelength in nm
steps. Larger changes can be done either by entering a new wavelength (or
frequency / wavenumber) numerically or by using the +25 GHz and –25 GHz buttons.
Because the center wavelength of the LS laser is adjusted to an ITU wavelength,
these two buttons allow a quick navigation through neighbored ITU channels.
The ‘Center’ button resets the wavelength to the nominal card wavelength.
LS5000 / page 16