THORLABS BC207UV User manual

BC207UV(/M), BC207VIS(/M), and
BC210CU(/M), BC210CV(/M)
with M2MS(-AL)
Camera Beam Profiler
2023
User Guide

Version:
Date: 8.2 14-Aug-2023
Copyright © 2023Thorlabs

BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Safety 1
Chapter 2 Intended Use 3
Chapter 3 Introduction 4
4
3.1 Ordering Codes and Accessories
5
3.2 Requirements
Chapter 4 Getting Started 5
6
4.1 Parts List BC207UV(/M) and BC207VIS(/M)
6
4.2 Parts List BC210CU(/M) and BC210CV(/M)
Chapter 5 Operation Instructions 6
6
5.1 Operating Elements
6
5.1.1 BC207and BC210C Series
65.1.1.1 Operating Elements BC207 Series
85.1.1.2 Operating Elements BC210C Series
95.1.1.3 Filter Wheel
125.1.1.4 Change Filter Wheel
155.1.1.5 Status LED
155.1.1.6 CMOS Sensor Protective Glass Window
155.1.1.7 Trigger Input
165.1.1.8 Mounting BC207 Series
175.1.1.9 Mounting BC210C Series 18
5.1.2 Camera Beam Profiler Series with M2MS Extension Set
185.1.2.1 Operating Elements M2MS
195.1.2.2 Mounting BC207 Series on M2MS(-AL)
215.1.2.3 Mounting BC210C Series on M2MS(-AL)
23
5.2 Setup BC207and BC210C Series
23
5.3 Installation
23
5.3.1 Software Installation 24
5.3.2 Connection to the PC 25
5.3.3 Start the Application
27
5.4 The Graphics User Interface (GUI)
27
5.4.1 Menu Bar
285.4.1.1 File Menu
29
5.4.1.2 Control Menu
30
5.4.1.3 Options Menu

BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler
335.4.1.4 Windows Menu
335.4.1.5 View Menu
345.4.1.6 Help Menu 34
5.4.2 Tool Bar 36
5.4.3 Status Bar 36
5.4.4 Save Settings 36
5.4.5 Beam Settings
385.4.5.1 Optical Setup
5.4.5.1.1 Wavelength 38
5.4.5.1.2 Attenuation 38
5.4.5.1.3 Power Correction 38
5.4.5.1.4 Ambient Light Correction 38
5.4.5.1.5 Intensity Threshold 38
425.4.5.2 Beam Profiler Information
435.4.5.3 Camera Beam Profiler Parameter
5.4.5.3.1 Binning 43
5.4.5.3.2 Exposure Control 43
5.4.5.3.3 Gain Control 43
5.4.5.3.4 Hot Pixel Correction 43
5.4.5.3.5 Trigger 43
5.4.5.3.6 Region of Interest 43
505.4.5.4 Calculation Parameter
5.4.5.4.1 Calculation Area 50
5.4.5.4.2 Averaging Mode 50
5.4.5.4.3 Clip Level 50
5.4.5.4.4 Hold Maximum 50
5.4.5.4.5 Approximate Ellipse 50
5.4.5.4.6 Autoscale to Peak 50
5.4.5.4.7 Profile Cut Position 50
5.4.5.4.8 Reference Position 50
5.4.5.4.9 Unit 50
545.4.5.5 Plot Over Time Parameter
555.4.5.6 Translation Stage Control 57
5.4.6 Child Windows
585.4.6.1 2D Projection
615.4.6.2 3D Profile
625.4.6.3 X and Y Profiles
635.4.6.4 Zooming and Panning Diagrams
645.4.6.5 Calculation Results
685.4.6.6 Manual Vergence Measurement

BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler
705.4.6.7 Tuning View
725.4.6.8 Beam Overlapping
745.4.6.9 Plots
5.4.6.9.1 Plot Positions 74
5.4.6.9.2 Plot Power 74
5.4.6.9.3 Plot Diameters 74
5.4.6.9.4 Plot Gaussian Fit 74
5.4.6.9.5 Plot Orientation 74
5.4.6.9.6 Plot Environment Data 74
5.4.6.9.7 Beam Stability 74
83
5.5 Measurement with the Beam Profiler
83
5.5.1 Operating the Instrument 85
5.5.2 Pass/Fail Test 87
5.5.3 Save Measurement Results
875.5.3.1 Export Device Data
905.5.3.2 Print Windows
915.5.3.3 Save Test Protocol
92
5.6 Beam Quality (M²) Measurement
92
5.6.1 General 94
5.6.2 M2MS Operating Principle 95
5.6.3 Beam Diameter Requirements 96
5.6.4 M² Meter Extension Set 96
5.6.5 Setup M2MS
985.6.5.1 Mounting the Beam Profiler
995.6.5.2 Connecting M2MS to the PC 100
5.6.6 M² Measurement
1015.6.6.1 Beam Alignment
5.6.6.1.1 Coarse Alignment 101
5.6.6.1.2 Fine Alignment 101
5.6.6.1.2.1 M² Beam Alignment Wizard 101
5.6.6.1.2.2 Alignment of the Focusing Lens 101
1115.6.6.2 M² Measurement Panel
1145.6.6.3 M² Settings
116
5.6.6.4 Saving the M² Measurement Results
5.6.6.4.1 Saving M² Test Results 116
5.6.6.4.2 Saving Beam Profile Data During M² Measurement 116
1195.6.6.5 Running the M² Measurement
1205.6.6.6 M² Measurement Results
1255.6.6.7 M² Troubleshooting
1285.6.6.8 Live Adjustment

BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler 129
5.6.7 Divergence Measurement
1295.6.7.1 Beam Alignment
5.6.7.1.1 Coarse Alignment 129
5.6.7.1.2 Fine Alignment 129
5.6.7.1.3 Divergence Beam Alignment Wizard 129
1375.6.7.2 Divergence Measurement Panel
139
5.6.7.3 Divergence Measurement Settings
140
5.6.7.4 Saving the Divergence Measurement Results
1405.6.7.5 Running the Divergence Measurement
1415.6.7.6 Divergence Measurement Results
1425.6.7.7 Live Adjustment 143
5.6.8 M² Theory
Chapter 6 Write Your Own Application 146
147
6.1 32bit Operating System
149
6.2 64bit Operating System
Chapter 7 Specifications BC207x and BC210Cx 152
155
7.1 Dimensions BC207UV(/M) and BC207VIS(/M)
156
7.2 Dimensions BC210CU(/M) and BC210CV(/M)
157
7.3 Specifications Filter Wheel
158
7.4 Wavelength Response
159
7.5 Power Ranges
Chapter 8 Specifications M2MS Extension Sets 161
Chapter 9 Initial Software Settings 162
Chapter 10 Maintenance and Service 162
163
10.1 Version
163
10.2 Cleaning
164
10.3 Troubleshooting
165
10.3.1 Warnings and Errors
Chapter 11 Compatibility with Older Hardware 166
Chapter 12 List of Acronyms 167
Chapter 13 Application Note 168
168
13.1 Ambient Light Correction
168
13.2 Coordinate Systems
169
13.3 Raw Data Measurements
171
13.4 Ellipse (Fitted)
171
13.5 X-Y-Profile Measurement
172
13.6 Gaussian Fit Measurement

BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler
172
13.7 Bessel Fit
Chapter 14 Certifications and Compliances 173
Chapter 15 Warranty and RMA Information 175
175
15.1 Return of Devices
175
15.2 WEEE Policy
Chapter 16 Manufacturer Address 175
Chapter 17 Copyright and Exclusion of Liability 176
Chapter 18 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts 177

Page 1 MTN026962-D02
BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler Chapter 1Safety
Chapter 1 Safety
Attention
The safety of any system incorporating the equipment is the responsibility of the assembler of the
system.
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this instruction manual will only
apply when the unit is operated correctly as it was designed for.
The BC207 and BC210C Series must not be operated in explosion endangered environments!
Do not obstruct the air ventilation slots in the housing!
Do not remove covers!
Do not open the cabinet. There are no user-serviceable parts inside!
This precision device is only serviceable if returned and properly packed into the complete original
packaging including the cardboard inserts. If necessary, ask for replacement packaging.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel!
Changes to this device cannot be made nor may components not supplied by Thorlabs be used without
written consent from Thorlabs.
Attention
Prior to applying power to the BC207and BC210C Series, make sure that the protective conductor of the
3 conductor mains power cord is correctly connected to the protective earth ground contact of the
socket outlet! Improper grounding can cause electric shock resulting in damage to your health or even
death!
All modules must only be operated with duly shielded connection cables.
Attention
The following statement applies to the products covered in this manual, unless otherwise specified
herein. The statement for other products will appear in the respective accompanying documentation.
Note This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15of the FCC Rules and meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment Standard ICES-003for digital apparatus. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Users that change or modify the product described in this manual in a way not expressly approved by
Thorlabs (party responsible for compliance) could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Thorlabs is not responsible for any radio television interference caused by modifications of this
equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than those
specified by Thorlabs. The correction of interference caused by such unauthorized modification,
substitution or attachment will be the responsibility of the user.
The use of shielded I/O cables is required when connecting this equipment to any and all optional
peripheral or host devices. Failure to do so may violate FCC and ICES rules.
This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits according to IEC 61326-1 for using
connection cables shorter than 3 meters (9.8 feet).

Rev: 8.2, 14-Aug-2023 © 2023Thorlabs Page 2
BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler Chapter 1Safety
The instrument must only be operated with a duly shielded and low resistance USB cable delivered by
Thorlabs.
Attention
Do not stick anything into the input aperture of the Camera Beam Profilers! You may damage the
neutral density (ND) optical attenuation filter.
Attention
The M2MS and M2MS-AL M² Measurement System comes with an alignment laser that is powered by a
M2MS and M2MS-AL internal driver. Be careful when using this laser!
Laser modules can deliver up to several 0.4 mW of even 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, as stated for the used light source.
The device is a class 1laser sources.

Page 3 MTN026962-D02
BC207 and BC210C Series Camera Beam Profiler Chapter 2Intended Use
Chapter 2 Intended Use
The BC207 and BC210C Camera Beam Profiler measures the shape, size and position of laser beams.
They are used in photonics research and development applications.
The BC207and BC210C Camera Beam Profilers are designed for laboratory use only. These products may
not be used or integrated into equipment that is applied in pharmaceutical, medical, or military
applications. Thorlabs, Inc. Life Support and Military Use Application Policy is stated below:
THORLABS’ PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE SUPPORT
DEVICES OR SYSTEMS OR IN ANY MILITARY APPLICATION WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN APPROVAL OF
THE PRESIDENT OF THORLABS, INC. As used herein:
1. Life support devices or systems are devices or systems which, (a) are intended for surgical implant
into the body, or (b) support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform, when properly used in
accordance with instructions for use provided in the labeling, can be reasonably expected to result in a
significant injury to the user.
2. A critical component is any component in a life support device or system whose failure to perform
can be reasonably expected to cause the failure of the life support device or system or to affect its
safety or effectiveness.
3. The Thorlabs products described in this document are not intended nor warranted for usage in
Military Applications.