THORLABS ERM200 User manual

ERM200, ERM210, ERM220
Extinction Ratio Meter
2023
User Guide

Version:
Date: 1.0 24-Jul-2023
Copyright © 2023Thorlabs

ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Safety 1
Chapter 2 Intended Use 2
Chapter 3 Introduction 3
33.1 Ordering Codes and Accessories
Chapter 4 Getting Started 4
44.1 Parts List
Chapter 5 Operating Instructions 4
55.1 Operating Elements
55.2 Setup
65.3 Adapter Mounting
65.4 Direct Operation
75.4.1 ER Measurement View
85.4.2 Power View
85.4.3 Settings View
95.4.4 Monitor Out Port
95.5 Remote Operation via Custom Software
105.5.1 32-bit Operating System
125.5.2 64-bit Operating System
145.6 Operating Principle
145.7 Applications
155.7.1 Light Source Considerations
155.7.2 Aligning a Laser Diode to a PMFiber
165.7.3 Aligning a PMFiber Patch Cable
175.7.4 Aligning the Connector Key to a PMFiber
Chapter 6 Specifications 18
196.1 Dimensions
196.2 Responsivities
Chapter 7 Maintenance and Service 20
207.1 Replacing Mains Fuse
Chapter 8 Certifications and Compliances 21
Chapter 9 Warranty and RMA Information 22
229.1 Return of Devices
229.2 WEEE Policy

ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter
Chapter 10 Manufacturer Address 22
Chapter 11 Copyright and Exclusion of Liability 23
Chapter 12 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts 24

Rev: 1.0, 24-Jul-2023 © 2023 Thorlabs Page 1
ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter Chapter 1 Safety
Chapter 1 Safety
Attention
The safety of any system incorporating the equipment is the responsibility of the assembler of the sys-
tem.
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this instruction manual will only ap-
ply when the unit is operated correctly as it was designed for.
The ERM2xx 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 ERM2xx Series, make sure that the protective conductor of the 3 con-
ductor 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!
Ensure that the corresponding fuse is inserted. If not, please change the mains fuse (see section Repla-
cing the Mains Fuse).
To avoid risk of fire, only the appropriate fuse for the corresponding line voltage must be used.
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 B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15of the FCC Rules and meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment Standard ICES-003 for digital apparatus. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruc-
tions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
·Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
·Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
·Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connec-
ted.
·Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/T.V. technician for help.

Page 2 MTN033660-D02
ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter Chapter 1 Safety
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 equip-
ment 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 peri-
pheral or host devices. Failure to do so may violate FCC and ICES rules.
Chapter 2 Intended Use
The ERM200, ERM210, and ERM220 extinction ratio meters measure the polarization extinction ratio of
polarization-maintaining fibers. The ERM200, ERM210, and ERM220 devices are used in photonics re-
search and development applications.
The ERM200, ERM210, and ERM220 devices are designed for laboratory use only. These devices may not
be used or integrated into equipment that is applied in pharmaceutical, medical or military applica-
tions.
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 ac-
cordance 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 Milit-
ary Applications.

Rev: 1.0, 24-Jul-2023 © 2023 Thorlabs Page 3
ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter Chapter 2 Intended Use
Chapter 3 Introduction
The ERM2xx benchtop extinction ratio meters are designed to measure the polarization extinction ratio
and the polarization angle of polarization-maintaining fibers (PM fibers) for any kind of alignment ap-
plication such as connectorization of PMfibers or pigtailing of laser diodes with PMfibers.
The ERM2xx series models cover different wavelength ranges from 400 nm up to 2500 nm. The ERM200
module is optimized for 600nm to 1600nm, the ERM210 module for 400 nm to 700 nm, and the ERM220
module for 1200 nm to 2500 nm.
The front panel features a connection port for light input. To test PM fibers equipped with the fiber
connectors FC/PC (narrow- or wide-key), FC/APC (narrow- or wide-key), LC/PC, and SC/PC, Thorlabs of-
fers fiber adapters as listed in the chapter Ordering Codes and Accessories.
The ERM2xx extinction ratio meters can be operated using the front panel display and control knobs or
with custom-made software via the USB interface. This provides access to integration into variable
setups in a wide range of applications in manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance, and R&D. To
write custom-made software for the remote control of an ERM2xx device, Thorlabs provides the drivers
for LabVIEW™ and C. Please see the chapter Remote Operation via Custom Software.
Attention
Please find all safety information and warnings concerning this product in the chapter Safety.
3.1 Ordering Codes and Accessories
ERM200
Benchtop Extinction Ratio Meter with Exchangeable Fiber Adapter Connection Port,
Wavelength Range 600nm to 1600 nm
ERM210
Benchtop Extinction Ratio Meter with Exchangeable Fiber Adapter Connection Port,
Wavelength Range 400nm to 700nm
ERM220
Benchtop Extinction Ratio Meter with Exchangeable Fiber Adapter Connection Port,
Wavelength Range 1200nm to 2500nm
Required Accessories:
ERM2x Fiber Connector
Please find a list of compatible fiber adapters below:
ERM2F Fiber Adapter to Connect Wide-Key FC/PC Connectors to the ERM2xx Benchtop Extinction
Ratio Meter
ERM2F2 Fiber Adapter to Connect Narrow-Key FC/PC Connectors to the ERM2xx Benchtop Extinction
Ratio Meter
ERM2A Fiber Adapter to Connect Wide-Key FC/APC Connectors to the ERM2xx Benchtop Extinction
Ratio Meter
ERM2A2 Fiber Adapter to Connect Narrow-Key FC/APC Connectors to the ERM2xx Benchtop Extinc-
tion Ratio Meter
ERM2L Fiber Adapter to Connect LC/PC Connectors to the ERM2xx Benchtop Extinction Ratio Meter
ERM2S Fiber Adapter to Connect SC/PC Connectors to the ERM2xx Benchtop Extinction Ratio Meter

Page 4 MTN033660-D02
ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter Chapter 4 Getting Started
Chapter 4 Getting Started
4.1 Parts List
Please inspect the shipping container for damage. Please do not cut through the cardboard, as the box
might be needed for storage or returns.
If the shipping container appears to be damaged, keep it until you have inspected the contents for
completeness and tested the ERM2xx device mechanically and electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items within the package:
1. ERM200, ERM210, or ERM220Extinction Ratio Meter
2. USB 2.0 Cable Type A-B, 2 m
3. Region-Specific Power Cord
4. Test Report
5. Quick Reference
Chapter 5 Operating Instructions
The ERM2xx modules utilize a rotating polarizer followed by a photodiode for light detection to provide
fast and accurate measurements of the polarization extinction ratio (PER) of PM fibers. Additionally,
the polarization angle and the power of the input light beam is measured.
To set up the ERM2xx module, please read the chapter Setup.
The chapter Direct Operation explains how to run the ERM2xx polarization extinction ratio meter on the
device via the display and control knobs.
Running an ERM2xx module remotely via USB requires custom-made software. Thorlabs provides the
necessary drivers for LabVIEW™ and C. Please see the chapter Remote Operation via Custom Software
for more information.
Fiber Connector Adapters
To accommodate for the use of the ERM2xx modules with different PM fiber connectors, Thorlabs of-
fers 6 different adapters for the connectors noted in parentheses: ERM2F (Wide-Key FC/PC), ERM2F2
(Narrow-Key FC/PC), ERM2A (Wide-Key FC/APC), ERM2A2 (Narrow-Key FC/APC), ERM2L (LC/PC), and
ERM2S (SC/PC). These adapters, which are not included with the extinction ratio meter, can be moun-
ted to the ERM2xx device. Please find more information in the chapter Adapter Mounting.

Rev: 1.0, 24-Jul-2023 © 2023 Thorlabs Page 5
ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter Chapter 5 Operating Instructions
5.1 Operating Elements
ERM200, ERM210, and ERM220 outer dimensions are identical. ERM200 device is shown.
Rear Panel
5.2 Setup
1. Place the ERM2xx module such that the power cord can be easily connected and disconnected.
2. Connect the ERM2xx module to the power network using the supplied power cord.
3. Identify the fiber adapter for the ERM2xx module which matches the connector on the fiber un-
der investigation. The available Thorlabs fiber adapters for the ERM2xx series are listed in the
chapter Ordering Codes and Accessories. Please note that the adapters need to be ordered sep-
arately.
4. Screw this fiber adapter to the fiber adapter connection port on the front panel of the ERM2xx
module (see the Adapter Mounting chapter for details).
5. Connect the fiber connector or the fiber cable to the fiber adapter.
6. Adapters and fibers may also be connected or exchanged at a later point.
7. To switch on the ERM2xx module, short press the power button (<3seconds). The power button
is illuminated when the device is powered up. The following screen will appear on the display:

Page 6 MTN033660-D02
ERM2xx Series Extinction Ratio Meter Chapter 5 Operating Instructions
8. The ERM2xx module is ready for operation after a 15minute warmup period.
9. If not already done, connect the fiber adapter and optical fiber to the device.
10. Use the button MENUto get to the settings for the ERM2xx module and configure the ERM2xx
module.
5.3 Adapter Mounting
In order to measure polarization extinction ratios based of PM fibers mounted to fiber connectors,
Thorlabs offers adapters for the input port on the ERM2xx modules.
Please choose the correct adapter from the table below:
Item #
Fiber Connector Type
ERM2F
Wide-Key FC/PC
ERM2F2
Narrow-Key FC/PC
ERM2A
Wide-Key FC/APC
ERM2A2
Narrow-Key FC/APC
ERM2L
LC/PC
ERM2S
SC/PC
Mounting steps
1. Push the adapter with the side labeled "Thorlabs" onto the fiber adapter connection port.
2. Screw the locking ring on the adapter to the port to secure the connection.
3. Mount the fiber connector to the adapter on the ERM2xx device.
5.4 Direct Operation
The ERM2xx modules are controlled by three buttons on the front. The display on the front panel shows
all measurement data in various display configurations. Changes to all necessary settings can be ex-
ecuted using the control buttons and will be shown on the display.
The display features three display modes: Extinction Ration (ER) Measurement View, Power View, and
Settings View. The actual measurement data are displayed in the ER Measurement View. The Power
View shows the optical input power in dBm or Watt, and the wavelength in nm. In the Settings View,