THORLABS ITC502 User manual

Operation Manual
Thorlabs Instrumentation
Laser Diode Combi Controller
ITC502 (-IEEE)
ITC510 (-IEEE)
2006

Version: 2.16
Date: 25.07.2006
Copyright©2006, Thorlabs

Contents page
1General description of the ITC5xx controller 1
1.1 Packing List 1
1.2 Safety 1
1.3 Features 4
1.4 Mode of operation 6
1.5 Technical Data 7
1.5.1 Technical data ITC502 7
1.5.2 Technical data ITC510 10
1.6 Operating elements at the front panel 14
1.7 Operating elements at the rear panel 15
1.8 Pre-settings 16
1.8.1 Setting the limit of the laser current ILD LIM 16
1.8.2 Setting the limit value of the TEC current 16
1.8.3 Setting the temperature window 16
1.8.4 DIP switch for “wake up“ preset 17
1.9 Connecting components 20
1.9.1 Pin assignment for the laser diode output 20
1.9.2 Pin assignment of the TEC output jack 22
1.9.3 Connecting a thermistor 23
1.9.4 Connecting a temperature sensor AD590 or AD592 24
1.9.5 Connecting a temperature sensor LM135 or LM335 25
1.9.6 Connecting a TEC element 25
1.9.7 Connecting the status indicator 27
1.9.8 Connecting laser- and monitor diode 27
1.9.9 Connecting interlock and status LED 29
1.9.10 Temperature tune input 30
2Operating the ITC5xx 31
2.1 Mains voltage selector 31
2.2 Mains switch 31
2.3 Main setting knobs 31
2.4 Display 32
2.5 Select the value to be displayed 33
2.6 Operating Mode of the laser diode (MODE) 34
2.7 Polarity of the laser diode (LD POL) 36
2.8 Polarity of the monitor diode (PD POL) 36
2.9 Bias voltage of the monitor diode (BIAS) 36
2.10 Adjusting the bias voltage of the monitor diode 38

2.11 Adjusting the power display of an internal monitor diode 38
2.12 Temperature window protection 40
2.13 Selecting the temperature sensor 40
2.14 Polarity check of the TEC element 41
2.15 Setup and function of temperature controllers 42
2.15.1 Statements and implications 42
2.15.2 Demands to the ideal temperature control loop 43
2.15.3 Influences on the real temperature control loop 43
2.15.4 PID adjustment 45
2.16 Analog modulation input 48
2.17 Analog output (ILD) 49
2.18 Laser and TEC current ON/OFF 50
2.19 CP gain 51
2.20 BNC connector TEMP OUT 51
2.21 BNC connector Temp tune 52
2.22 Using the interlock input 52
2.22.1 Examples of various protection functions 53
2.23 Laser voltage measurement 54
3Remote control by a PC (ITC5xx-IEEE) 55
3.1 IEEE488 Interface 56
3.1.1 Interface specifications 56
3.1.2 Setting up the Interface 57
3.1.3 Connecting the Instrument 59
3.1.4 IEEE488 bus commands 60
3.2 Before Programming 62
3.2.1 Nomenclature 62
3.2.2 Program and response messages 62
3.2.3 Data format 63
3.3 Common commands and queries 65
3.3.1 Identification query 65
3.3.2 Reset 65
3.3.3 Self-test query 65
3.3.4 Set Operation-complete bit 65
3.3.5 Operation-complete query 66
3.3.6 Wait 66
3.3.7 Event-Status-Enable-Register (ESE) 66
3.3.8 Query Standard-Event-Status-Register (ESR) 66
3.3.9 Service-Request-Enable-Register (SRE) 67
3.3.10 Query Status-Byte-Register (STB) 67

3.4 System command group 68
3.4.1 Answer mode 68
3.4.2 Error-LED mode 68
3.4.3 Querying the error queue 69
3.4.4 Averaging rate 69
3.5 Status command group 70
3.5.1 Query Device-Error-Condition-Register (DEC) 70
3.5.2 Query Device-Error-Event-Register (DEE) 70
3.5.3 Device-Error-Event-Enable-Register (EDE) 70
3.6 ITC5xx specific commands 71
3.6.1 Operation mode (MODE) 71
3.6.2 Laser diode polarity (LDPOL) 71
3.6.3 Photo diode polarity (PDPOL) 72
3.6.4 Reading the state of the temperature protection (TP) 72
3.6.5 Switching the bias voltage on and off (PDBIA) 73
3.6.6 Turn the output on and off (LASER) 74
3.6.7 Reading the laser diode hardware limit (LIMCP) 75
3.6.8 Laser diode current (ILD) 75
3.6.9 Monitor diode current (IMD) 76
3.6.10 Calibrating a photo diode (CALPD) 77
3.6.11 Optical power (POPT) 78
3.6.12 Reading the optical power from the display (POPTP) 79
3.6.13 Reading the laser diode voltage (VLD) 79
3.6.14 Reading the bias voltage (VBIAS) 79
3.6.15 Temperature Sensor (SENS) 80
3.6.16 Switching the TEC on and off (TEC) 80
3.6.17 Temperature (only AD590) (TEMP) 81
3.6.18 Resistance of the thermistor (RESI) 82
3.6.19 Reading the TEC current hardware limit (LIMTP) 83
3.6.20 Reading the TEC current (ITE) 83
3.6.21 Reading the temperature/resistance window (WIN) 83
3.6.22 Reading the TEC voltage (VTE) 83
3.7 Error messages of the ITC5xx 84
3.7.1 General errors 84
3.7.2 ITC5xx operation error messages 87
3.8 Status reporting 90
3.8.1 Standard event status register (ESR) 90
3.8.2 Standard event status enable register (ESE) 93
3.8.3 Status byte register (STB) 93

3.8.4 Service request enable register (SRE) 94
3.8.5 Reading the STB by detecting SRQ 94
3.8.6 Reading the STB by *STB? command 94
3.8.7 Reading the STB by serial poll 94
3.8.8 Device error condition register (DEC) 95
3.8.9 Device error event register (DEE) 96
3.8.10 Device error event enable register (EDE) 96
3.9 Hints for setting up control programs 97
4Maintenance 100
4.1 Repair 100
4.2 Cleaning 100
4.3 Selecting the line voltage 100
4.4 Exchanging the line fuse 101
4.5 Trouble-shooting 103
5Service 106
5.1 Exchange of internal fuses 106
6Appendix 107
6.1 Warranty 107
6.2 Certifications and compliances 108
6.3 Thorlabs “End of Life” policy (WEEE) 109
6.3.1 Waste treatment on your own responsibility 110
6.3.2 Ecological background 110
6.4 List of acronyms 111
6.5 List of figures 113
7Addresses 114

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 operation manual contains specific information on how to operate the laser
diode controller ITC502 and ITC510. A general description is followed by
explanations of how to operate the unit manually. You will also find informations
about remote control via the IEEE 488 computer interface.
Attention
This manual contains “WARNINGS” and “ATTENTION” label in this
form to indicate dangers for persons or possible damage of
equipment.
Please read these advises carefully!
NOTE
This manual also contains “NOTES” and “HINTS” written in this form.

1.1 Packing List
ITC500 / page 1
1 General description of the ITC5xx controller
1.1 Packing List
1 ITC502 or ITC510 packed in plastic form parts
1 power cord, connector according to ordering country
1 operation manual
1 CD-ROM with Drivers (for ITC5xx-IEEE)
1 Connection cable CAB 400
1 Connection cable CAB 420-15
1.2 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 ITC5xx system, 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 damage to your
health or even death!
Also make sure that the line voltage setting marked on the rear panel
agrees with your local supply and that the corresponding fuses are
inserted. If not, please change the voltage (see 4.3) and.
the mains fuse (see section 4.4)
Prior to operation make sure that the correct line voltage is set and
the appropriate fuse inserted.
All in- or outputs must only be operated with duly shielded
connection cables.

1.2 Safety
ITC500 / page 2
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.
Attention 
Semiconductor laser modules can deliver up to several 100mW of
(maybe) invisible laser radiation!
When operated incorrectly, this can cause severe damage to your
eyes and health!
Be sure to pay strict attention to the safety recommendations of the
appropriate laser safety class!
This laser safety class is marked on your external laser source used.
Attention 
Mobile telephones, handy 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 EN 50 082-1.
To connect the unit to the mains, only use the supplied mains cable
with safety mains plug. The unit is grounded via the protective
conductor of this cable. To avoid electrical shock the plug of the
mains cable is to be inserted into a correctly grounded socket.