THORLABS M2MS-BC106N Series User manual

Thorlabs Beam
Beam Analyzing Software
BC106N
M2MS-BC106N Series
Quick Start
2016

Copyright © 2016 Thorlabs
Version:
Date:
Item No.:
6.2
13-Jul-2016
M0009-510-712

Foreword
Contents 2
1General Information 3
31.1 Safety
2Getting Started 4
42.1 Ordering Codes and Accessories 42.2 Unpacking 52.3 Preparation 62.4 Requirements 72.5 Installation 72.5.1 Software Installation 142.5.2 Connection to the PC 142.5.3 Start the Application
3Beam Quality (M²) Measurement 15
153.1 M² Meter Set with BC106N Camera Beam Profiler 163.2 Setting up 173.2.1 Connection to the PC
4 Appendix 19
194.1 Thorlabs 'End of Life' Policy (WEEE) 204.2 Warranty 214.3 Exclusion of Reliability and Copyright 224.4 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

© 2016 Thorlabs
We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application
in the field of optical measurement technique. To help us to live up to
your expectations and improve 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
Warning
Sections marked by this symbol explain dangers that might result in
personal injury or death. Always read the associated information
carefully, before performing the indicated procedure.
Please read these advices carefully!
This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.
Attention
Paragraphs preceeded by this symbol explain hazards that could
damage the instrument and the connected equipment or may cause
loss of data.
Note
2

© 2016 Thorlabs
1 General Information
3
1 General Information
This Quick Start Manual contains only the most important information about the BC106N.
Please read the following pages carefully and pay attention particularly to the section "Software
Installation". The complete BC106N User's Manual can be found - after the software has been
installed successfully - on the PC (All Programs -> Thorlabs -> Thorlabs BEAM -> Manuals)
and on the Thorlabs web site as well.
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 as it was designed for.
Before applying power to the PC system used to operate the Beam Profiler, 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!
The Beam Profiler must not be operated in explosion endangered environments!
The instrument must only be operated with a duly shielded and low resistance USB
cable delivered by Thorlabs.
Do not cover the Beam Profiler in order to prevent heating the instrument.
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. If necessary, ask for a replacement package.
Be very careful when removing the glass protection of the sensor. Do no stick anything
into the aperture, as this might damage the sensor! Prevent any kind of dust entering the
entrance aperture!
Warning
The M2MS M2 Measurement System comes with an alignment laser, that is powered by a
M2MS internal driver. Be careful when using this laser!

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2 Getting Started
2.1 Ordering Codes and Accessories
Ordering code
Short description
BC106N-UV
CCD Camera Beam Profiler, 190 - 350 nm*
BC106N-VIS
CCD Camera Beam Profiler, 350 - 1100 nm
*Design range of Lumigen coating, sensitivity is given throughout 1100 nm but shows increased
non-uniformity and noise compared to uncoated BC106N-VIS.
The wavelength range of supplied UV ND filters starts at 220 nm.
For beam quality (M²) measurement, Thorlabs offers hardware extension sets and complete M²
Measurement Systems:
Hardware Extension Sets:
Item Number
Description
M2MS
M2 Measurement System Extension Set
M2MS-AL
M2 Measurement System Extension Set, 250 - 600 nm (aluminum mirrors)
M² Measurement System with Camera Beam Profiler
The M2MS-BC106 comprises the M2MS Extension and a mounted BC106N beam profiler. The
following models are available:
Item Number
Description
M2MS-BC106UV-AL
M2 Measurement System with BC106N-UV, 250 - 350 nm
M2MS-BC106UV-AL/M
M2 Measurement System with BC106N-UV, 250 - 350 nm, metric
M2MS-BC106VIS
M2 Measurement System with BC106N-VIS, 400 - 1100 nm
M2MS-BC106VIS/M
M2 Measurement System with BC106N-VIS, 400 - 1100 nm, metric
Please visit our homepage http://www.thorlabs.com for further information.
2.2 Unpacking
Inspect the packaging for damage. If the shipping container seems to be damaged, keep it until
you have inspected the contents and you have inspected the instrument mechanically and
electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items:
·1 BC106N Beam Profiler instrument with mounted filter wheel containing
o6 Attenuation filters, see section Filter Wheel in the full manual
o6 Filter caps in front of filters
·1 USB 2.0 Cable A to Mini B, length 1.5 m
·This Quick Reference

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2 Getting Started
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If you have purchased a M² Meter Set M2MS-BC106N:
1. M2MS-BC106UV-AL (/M)
·M2MS-BC106UV-AL (/M) Measurement System with mounted BC106N-UV (/M) Camera
Beam Profiler
·Power supply 100 to 240 V AC / 15 V 3 A DC
·Cable USB 2.0 A to Mini B, 3 m length
·Cable USB 2.0 A to Mini B, angled, 0.5 m length
·1 pcs. 0.05" Hex Key
·M2MS Accessory Box UV, that includes:
·1 pcs. LA4158-UV Plano Convex Lens, f = 250 mm, UV AR coating
·1 pcs. LA1461-A Plano Convex Lens, f = 250 mm, AR coating 350 - 700 nm
·4 pcs. CL6 Rail clamps
·1 pcs. M2MS Adjustment laser
·1 pcs. Ball Driver 3 mm
·1 pcs. spare screw M4x10
2. M2MS-BC106VIS (/M)
·M2MS-BC106VIS (/M) Measurement System with mounted BC106N-VIS (/M) Camera
Beam Profiler
·Power supply 100 to 240 V AC / 15 V 3 A DC
·Cable USB 2.0 A to Mini B, 3 m length
·Cable USB 2.0 A to Mini B, angled, 0.5 m length
·1 pcs. 0.05" Hex Key
·M2MS Accessory Box VIS, that includes:
·1 pcs. LA1461-A Plano Convex Lens, f = 250 mm, AR coating 350 - 700 nm
·1 pcs. LA1461-B Plano Convex Lens, f = 250 mm, AR coating 650 - 1050 nm
·1 pcs. LA1461-C Plano Convex Lens, f = 250 mm, AR coating 1050 - 1700 nm
·4 pcs. CL6 Rail clamps
·1 pcs. M2MS Adjustment laser
·1 pcs. Ball Driver 3 mm
·1 pcs. spare screw M4x10
2.3 Preparation
1. Install the Thorlabs Beam software to your computer as described in Software Installation.
2. Connect the camera using the supplied USB cable to the PC as described in Connection
to the PC.
3. Remove the filter caps screwed on the attenuation filters.
4. Rotate the filter wheel to set the highest loss optical ND filter (40 dB for BC106N-UV; 60
dB for BC106N-VIS) in front of the camera aperture which is behind the bottom
attenuation filter. This prevents damage to the camera sensor.
5. Mount the Camera Beam Profiler instrument so that its optical aperture is exposed to the
optical beam.
6. Switch on your light source but be sure to not exceed the max. allowed optical power to
the instrument. See Power Ranges in the full manual for details
Attention
Please install the software prior to connecting the instrument to a PC via USB interface.
Use only the supplied high speed (USB 2.0) cable, not full speed (USB 1.1) cables or thin
profile cables with increased resistance, as this can cause transmission errors and
improper instrument operation!

© 2016 Thorlabs6
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2.4 Requirements
Recommended for optimal performance hardware features:
·USB 2.0 high speed port
·Processor: Core 2 Duo E4300 or A64 X2 3800+ AMD, 2.0 GB RAM
·OpenGL (specification GLX 1.3 up) compatible graphics adapter:
o
o
o

© 2016 Thorlabs
2 Getting Started
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2.5 Installation
2.5.1 Software Installation
The "Thorlabs Beam" software V6.0 (or higher) can be downloaded from the Thorlabs website:
http://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=Beam
Save the ZIP file to your computer and unpack this archive. The Install Shield Wizards starts by
double-clicking the setup.exe, see below.
Quick Overview
The installation contains 2 main parts - the NI VISA Runtime V5.4.0 and the Beam Software
itself, including also drivers and the manual. The following procedure is described for
installation to a Windows 7®32 bit operating system. Installation to a 64 bit operating system
requires additional installation steps - first 64 bit components are installed, followed by
additional 32 bit components.
Click the "setup.exe". The installer will perform a check for installed NI-VISA Runtime Version.
If there is no NI-VISA installed to the target PC or the installed version is before 5.1.1, the
installer recognizes that and requests the installation of NI software:
Click to Install. Depending on the security settings, Windows User Account Control will ask
you to allow installation. Similar alerts will come up several times during installation - please
confirm "Yes" in order to proceed with installation:

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BC106N
and follow the instructions:
Click Next >> to continue.

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2 Getting Started
9
Click "I accept..." if you do so, then Next >> to continue installation.

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Click Finish.
Please reboot the PC when this message appears. After restarting the PC, the installer
continues to install the software. If not, please execute the "setup.exe" again.

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2 Getting Started
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Please read this license agreements carefully, choose "I agree" and click 'Next'.
It is recommended to follow the recommended path, click "Next" and then "Install" to proceed.

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Click "Yes" to allow Beam Software installation.
A new window appears, click "Next" to continue. Windows Security will ask your confirmation to
install the Thorlabs USB driver.
You may check the box "Always trust software from "Thorlabs GmbH", this will shorten the
installation. However, if you do not want to do that, please click the "Install" button. Further, you
will be asked to confirm the installation of further Thorlabs software components. Please
proceed as described above:

© 2016 Thorlabs
2 Getting Started
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Now, all drivers are installed and the "Read Me" comes up:
Click "Next", then "Finish" to complete the software installation.

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2.5.2 Connection to the PC
Connect the Beam Profiler to a USB 2.0 high speed port of your computer. Use only the cable
that comes with the Beam Profiler or a cable qualified for high speed USB2.0 standard.
Attention
Do not use low speed USB cables as this can cause transmission errors and improper
instrument operation!
Also, it is strongly recommended to use a PC USB port for connection. Avoid use of USB
hubs as some models may not be able to deliver the specified max. current (500mA).
After connecting the instrument to the PC the Windows 7®operating system will load the
appropriate USB drivers for the Beam Profiler instrument.
Once connected, an icon will appear in the task bar indicating that the driver installation is in
progress. If you click on this icon, the window below appears:
2.5.3 Start the Application
Access the Application Programs from the START button. Click the "Programs" à"Thorlabs" à
"Thorlabs Beam Application" entry.
Or simply click the appropriate symbol added to your desktop.
Please see the full manual, that can be found in the "Manuals" folder (see above screenshot).

© 2016 Thorlabs
3 Beam Quality (M²) Measurement
15
3 Beam Quality (M²) Measurement
The Beam Quality panel can be opened from the menu bar (Menu Windows) or by clicking
the icon in the tool bar.
3.1 M² Meter Set with BC106N Camera Beam Profiler
M2MS-BC106 set features:
·Accurate M² measurements
·Measures divergence, waist diameter, Rayleigh range and astigmatism
·Compatible with CW and Quasi-CW pulsed laser sources
·Short measurement cycles
·Fully ISO11146 compliant

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3.2 Setting up
The M2MS Measurement System is a complete system that is factory aligned. The mounting
adapter for the beam profiler provides a secure and reproducible positioning of the beam
profiler's input aperture to the M2MS. This eases the mechanical setup.
Note
It is strongly recommended to fix the M2MS properly to the optical table using the four rail
clamps, included in the M2MS Accessory Box. Therefor remove the rubber feet from the M2MS
base plate, this ensures the proper mounting.
Transportation Lock and Stop Position Latch
In order to avoid transportation damages to the translation stage, it is locked when delivered.
This lock must be removed prior to power-up the stage, and it must be re-installed for
transportation! Additionally, the DDSM100 stage is fixed at it's initial position - in the photo
below that is the left stop - by a latch that is controlled by a solenoid. This latch fixes the stage
when the power supply is switched off and releases with power-on.
Removal of the Transportation Lock
1. Remove the 4 screws fixing the top cover using a 0.05" hex key (supplied with M2MS)
and remove the cover.
2. Remove the M4 screw that fixes the red stopper, and remove the stopper (3 mm ball
driver included with the accessory box). Keep the stopper and the fixing screw in a safe
place.
1 - Transportation Lock
2 - Electromagnetic Endpoint Latch
3. Close the M2MS.

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3 Beam Quality (M²) Measurement
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3.2.1 Connection to the PC
The M2MS comprises an integrated control electronics with translation stage controller, USB
2.0 hub and a current source for the alignment laser.
¢Switch to enable Alignment Laser
£Output connector for Alignment Laser
¤USB 2.0 hub outputs (to Beam Profiler)
¥USB 2.0 input (from PC)
¦Yellow indicator "Stage active"
§Green indicator "Power On"
¨DC power supply input
©M2MS power switch
Attention!
It is strongly recommended to use only the supplied USB cables for connection of the
beam profiler and the control PC to the M2MS. These cables were selected and tested
under point of fulfilling the entire USB 2.0 specifications. The operation systems
Windows®7 and 8 are less tolerant to deviation from this specification than former
operating systems.
The use of other than the supplied USB 2.0 cables may lead to USB connection
instabilities.
Attention
Do NOT connect the M2MS to a computer prior to install the Beam Software! The Beam
Software version must be 6.0 or higher.
Attention!
Prior to connect the M2MS to the power supply, make sure the transportation lock is
removed! Otherwise the stage drive may be damaged!
1. Connect AC power to the power supply and it's output to the DC jack (7).
2. Connect the beam profiler using the supplied angled USB 2.0 cable to one of the USB hub
outputs (3).
3. Switch the M2MS on (8). The green Power On indicator lights up.
4. Connect the M2MS to the PC using the supplied 3 m long USB 2.0 cable; do not start the
BEAM software yet.

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5. The PC's operating system recognizes the connected new hardware and performs the
driver installation:
Note
The "USB Test and Measurement Device (IVI)" and the "APT USB Device" are hardware
components of the M2MS extension.
6. Start the Beam Software.