THORLABS NPL52B User manual

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January10,2019
TTN122961‐D04,RevG
www.thorlabs.com/contact
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Description
The NPL52B diode laser outputs 520 nm, nanosecond pulse trains with an adjustable pulse width at
repetition frequencies up to 10 MHz. It supports user-triggered operation and also offers an internal
oscillator that triggers the laser pulses at 1, 5, or 10 MHz. The optical output is a free-space beam with
an integrated factory-set collimated lens.
The components included with each NPL52B laser are the laser head, DS15 +15 V power supply with
location-specific plug, interlock pin (installed), a set of keys, two ECM225 clamps, a 2 mm flathead
screwdriver, and this Quick Start Guide.
The manual, which contains detailed information, is available from www.thorlabs.com/manuals.cfm.
Back Panel Features
Back Panel of the Laser Head
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WAVELENGTH: 520 nm
MAXIMUM AVERAGE POWER: 50 mW
MAX PULSE: 3 nJ, 60 ns
IEC 60825-1:2014
NPL52B
Nanosecond Pulsed Laser
Powe
r
Jack
Key
Switch
Interlock
Jack
Trigger
Port
Repetition Rate
Control
Pulse Width
Control
Laser
Status
LED



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January10,2019
TTN122961‐D04,RevG
www.thorlabs.com/contact
Specifications
Parameter Specification
Optical Specifications
Center Wavelength, Typical 520 nm ± 10 nm
Average Output Power
a
, Max 12 mW
Peak Pulse Output Power
b
, Max 30 mW
Pulse Energy
a
, Max 1.20 nJ
Beam Pointing Accuracy
c
≤3°
Beam Divergence (1/e
2
), Typical 1.5 mrad (Major Axis)
d
0.5 mrad (Minor Axis)
Beam Full Width (1/e
2
), at 5.0 m 3.2 mm (Major Axis)
d
2.0 mm (Minor Axis)
Pulse Width (FWHM) 5 ns ± 1 ns (Min Setting)
39 ns ±3 ns (Max Setting)
e
Trigger Specifications
Trigger Coupling 
AC Coupled
Trigger Input Frequency
f
, Max 
10 MHz
Trigger Input Voltage 
200 mV
pp
to 2 V
pp
Trigger Input Impedance 5 kΩ
Trigger Output Voltage 900 mV (Hi-Z Load)
600 mV (50 ΩLoad)
Trigger Jitter, Max
g
20 ps RMS
100 ps Peak-to-Peak
Trigger Delay
h
From External Trigger Input to Optical Output 35 ns ± 5 ns
From Internal Trigger Output to Optical Output 28 ns ± 5 ns
Power, Environmental, and Physical Specifications
DC Input Voltage Range to Laser Head 14 V to 16 V
DC Input Current to Laser Head 800 mA Max
AC Input Frequency Range to DS15 Power Supply 50 Hz - 60 Hz
AC Input Voltage to DS15 Power Supply 100 V to 240 V
Operating Temperature Range 10 °C to 40 °C
Storage Temperature Range 0 °C to 50 °C
Relative Humidity (Maximum) 5% to 85%
a. At 10 MHz and with the greatest pulse width achievable.
b. Typical maxima and are given for pulses that reach maximum output power. Some short duration pulses do
not reach maximum output power (see graph below) and therefore have reduced average output powers.
c. Relative to a beam axis normal to the plane of the front panel.
d. The major axis of the ellipse is vertically oriented when the bottom of the laser head is horizontal.
e. Pulse widths are adjustable in ~15 equal increments, from the minimum to the maximum specified widths.
f. The maximum supported edge transition time is 1 ms.
g. Applies to external triggering and internal triggering.
h. Trigger delay is measured between the SMA connector and the optical output at the lens.




January10,2019
TTN122961‐D04,RevG
www.thorlabs.com/contact
Brief Operating Guide
Powering On: Attach the DS15 +15 V power supply to the laser head and turn the
key switch on. Make sure the interlock circuit is complete (a shorting plug is
provided). The indicator LED will blink until the laser temperature is stabilized (this
can take up to 60 seconds). After the LED stops blinking, the laser will be enabled
after a 4 s delay. There will not be optical output unless the laser is triggered.
Triggering: The laser pulses must be triggered either by external input or by internal oscillators for there to be
an optical output. See the manual for signal requirements. There is also a variable pulse width control
provided.
Optical Output: The laser is supplied with the output shutter closed. Simply rotate the flap to open it. Do not
attempt to remove the shutter as it is permanently attached. Do not look into the output port when the laser is
enabled. We highly recommend the laser be firmly mounted (using the included ECM225 clamps) and installed
in the setup so that the output beam is contained. The output beam collimation is factory set with no further
adjustment necessary. Please see the manual for additional information.
Note that the peak power of the laser is relatively constant, but the average output power is a function of the
pulse width and repetition rate. Always align the laser at low power settings if possible.
Powering Off: The laser output can be turned off by interrupting the interlock circuit or turning the key-
switch off. Using the key switch turns the laser head off completely, including the temperature
stabilization. For quicker turn on times, we suggest using the interlock circuit.
Typical Pulses of the NPL52B
30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Pulse Width
4 ns
11 ns
19 ns
30 ns
38 ns
NPL52B Typical Pulses
Optical Power (mW)
Time (ns)
Manufactured by: Thorlabs Inc., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 USA
EU Importer: Thorlabs GmbH, Hans-Boeckler-Str.6, Dachau, D-85521 Germany




January10,2019
TTN122961‐D04,RevG
www.thorlabs.com/contact
Precautions
Caution: ESD Sensitive Component - The components inside this instrument
are ESD sensitive. Take all appropriate precautions to discharge personnel and
equipment before making any connections to the unit.
Shielded Connections: The laser must be operated with proper shielded connection cables attached to
the SMA-type trigger input/output port.
Electromagnetic Interference: Mobile telephones, cellular phones or other radio transmitters are not
to be used within the range of 3 meters of this unit since the electromagnetic field intensity may then
exceed the maximum allowed disturbance values according to IEC 61326-1.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).
External Cleaning: Use soft cloth moistened with mild glass cleaner. Do not spray directly onto unit.
Safety Information
General: All statements regarding safe operation and technical data in this user guide will only apply
when the unit is operated correctly. Additional support documentation for this particular product is
available at www.thorlabs.com/manuals.cfm.
Warning: Laser Radiation - This is a Class 3B laser system. Observe all safety precautions
and wear protective eyewear appropriate for this type of device. Align system at lower
output power if possible. Do not position device so that is difficult to access the switch and
interlock. We recommend using the safety interlock feature
whenever possible. See manual for details.
Caution – Use of controls or adjustments or performance of
procedures other than those specified herein may result in
hazardous radiation exposure.
Applying Power: The laser should be powered using the supplied external DS15 +15 V power supply.
The laser should always be powered up using the key switch on the laser head. Hot plugging the unit is
not recommended.
Covers and Service: Do not remove the cover of the laser. There are no user serviceable parts in these
products. If service is required, please contact Thorlabs Tech Support at one of the region-specific
contact numbers given at the bottom of this page. Do not cover the device as this may result in
overheating of the instrument. Do not attempt to remove the safety shutter. It is permanently
attached.
Explosive Environments: Do NOT operate this device in explosive environments.
Follow Usage Guidelines: The safety of any system incorporating the equipment is the responsibility
of the assembler of the system. If equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer,
the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. Only with written consent from Thorlabs
may changes to single components be carried out or components not supplied by Thorlabs be
used. There are no user serviceable components inside this device.
WAVELENGTH: 520 nm
MAXIMUM AVERAGE POWER: 50 mW
MAX PULSE: 3 nJ, 60 ns
IEC 60825-1:2014