THORLABS PAX1000 User manual

Compact Polarimeter
PAX1000
Quick Reference
2019

Version:
Date:
Item No.:
1.2
26-Feb-2019
M0009-510-1042
Copyright © 2019 Thorlabs GmbH

Foreword
Contents
1 General Information 1
11.1 Safety 31.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories 41.3 Requirements
2 Getting Started 5
52.1 Parts List 62.2 Installing Software 112.3 First Steps
3 Appendix 12
123.1 Certifications and Compliances 133.2 Warranty 143.3 Copyright and Exclusion of Reliability 153.4 Thorlabs 'End of Life' Policy 163.5 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

© 2019 Thorlabs GmbH
We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application
in the field of optical measurement. To help us to live up to your
expectations and constantly improve our products 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 this advice carefully!
This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.
Attention
Paragraphs preceded by this symbol explain hazards that could
damage the instrument and the connected equipment or may cause
loss of data.
Note

© 2019 Thorlabs GmbH
1 General Information
1
1 General Information
Thorlabs polarimeters are terminating, wave-plate-based modules for free-space and - with in-
stalled fiber collimator - fiber-based measurements of the state of polarization (SOP). Their high
dynamic range of 70 dB, three models covering the visible to near-infrared range, and accuracy
of ±0.25° on the Poincaré sphere opens a wide spectrum of application possibilities.
Each measurement sensor is calibrated at different wavelength points. These base points are
interpolated.
The PAX1000 is basically powered via the USB port. For a measurement speed higher that 50
samples per second, an additional power supply is required - please connect the DS15 power
supply to your mains outlet and to the PAX1000.
Note
Polarization measurements with the PAX1000 are possible only for monochromatic coherent
light (e.g., laser emission)!
1.1 Safety
Attention
The safety of any system incorporating the equipment is the responsibility of the assem-
bler 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.
Use for external power supply of the PAX1000 only the supplied by Thorlabs GmbH
power adapter.
The PAX1000 must not be operated in explosion endangered environments!
Do not open the cabinet, there are no parts serviceable by the operator inside!
Refer servicing to qualified personnel!
Only with written consent from Thorlabs GmbH may changes to single components be
made or components not supplied by Thorlabs GmbH be used.
This precision device is only serviceable if properly packed into the complete original
packaging. If necessary, ask for a replacement package prior to return.
Attention
The following statement applies to the products covered in this manual, unless other-
wise specified herein. The statement for other products will appear in the accompanying
documentation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of 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 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. Opera-
tion 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.
Thorlabs GmbH is not responsible for any radio television interference caused by modi-
fications of this equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and

© 2019 Thorlabs GmbH2
PAX1000
equipment other than those specified by Thorlabs GmbH. The correction of interference
caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution or attachment will be the re-
sponsibility 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.
Attention
Mobile telephones, cellular 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 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).

© 2019 Thorlabs GmbH
1 General Information
3
1.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories
PAX1000VIS
Polarimeter, Wavelength Range 400 to 700 nm
Included Accessories:
·F240FC-A Fiber Collimator
·KAD12F SM1 Threaded Adapter for the Fiber Collimator
·SM1M10 SM1 Lens Tube
·End Cap (Laser-Engraved Cross-Hair)
PAX1000VIS/M
Same as PAX1000VIS, but with metric mounting threads
PAX1000IR1
Polarimeter, Wavelength Range 600 to 1080 nm
Included Accessories:
·F240FC-B Fiber Collimator
·KAD12F SM1 Threaded Adapter for the Fiber Collimator
·SM1M10 SM1 Lens Tube
·VRC2SM1 alignment disk with mounting adapter
PAX1000IR1/M
Same as PAX1000IR1, but with metric mounting threads
PAX1000IR2
Polarimeter, Wavelength Range 900 to 1700 nm
Included Accessories:
·F240FC-C Fiber Collimator
·KAD12F SM1 Threaded Adapter for the Fiber Collimator
·SM1M10 SM1 Lens Tube
·VRC2SM1 alignment disk with mounting adapter
PAX1000IR2/M
Same as PAX1000IR2, but with metric mounting threads

© 2019 Thorlabs GmbH4
PAX1000
1.3 Requirements
These are the requirements for the PC intended to be used for remote operation of the
PAX1000.
Hardware Requirements
CPU: 2.4 GHz or faster
RAM: min. 2 GB
Graphic card Min. 1024x768 pixel graphic resolution
Hard disc Min. 1 GB of available free space (32 bit operating system)
Min. 2.3 GB of available free space (64 bit operating system)
Interface free USB2.0 port, USB cable according the USB 2.0 specification
Mouse A mouse is required for access to graphic options in the GUI
Software Requirements
The PAX1000 software is compatible with the following operating systems:
·Windows®7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
·Windows®8.1 (32-bit, 64-bit)
·Windows®10 (32-bit, 64-bit)
For operation of the PAX1000, the following software is required as well:
·NI-VISA®Runtime (Version 5.4 or later)
·Microsoft®.Net (Version 4.6.1 or later)
·DirectX9®or higher
Above mentioned software is included with the Thorlabs GmbH PAX1000 installation package,
and will be installed automatically, if the required minimum versions are not recognized.

© 2019 Thorlabs GmbH
2 Getting Started
5
2 Getting Started
2.1 Parts List
Inspect the shipping container for damage.
If the shipping container seems to be damaged, keep it until you have inspected the contents
and you have inspected the PAX1000 mechanically and electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items within the package, depending on the ordered
item:
1. PAX1000VIS (PAX1000VIS/M) Polarimeter, Wavelength Range 400 – 700 nm
2. F240FC-A Fiber Collimator
3. KAD12F SM1 Threaded Adapter for the Fiber Collimator
4. SM1M10 SM1 Lens Tube
5. SM1CP1 End Cap (Modified: Laser-Engraved Cross-Hair)
6. Cable USB 2.0, A to Mini-B, 1.5 m length
7. Power Supply DS15
8. Quick Reference Manual
or 1. PAX1000IR1 (PAX1000IR1/M) Polarimeter, Wavelength Range 600 to 1080 nm
2. F240FC-B Fiber Collimator
3. KAD12F SM1 Threaded Adapter for the Fiber Collimator
4. SM1M10 SM1 Lens Tube
5. VRC2SM1 with mounting adapter
6. Cable USB 2.0, A to Mini-B, 1.5 m length
7. Power Supply DS15
8. Quick Reference Manual
or 1. PAX1000IR2 (PAX1000IR2/M) Polarimeter, Wavelength Range 900 to 1700 nm
2. F240FC-C Fiber Collimator
3. KAD12F SM1 Threaded Adapter for the Fiber Collimator
4. SM1M10 SM1 Lens Tube
5. VRC2SM1 with mounting adapter
6. Cable USB 2.0, A to Mini-B, 1.5 m length
7. Power Supply DS15
8. Quick Reference Manual

© 2019 Thorlabs GmbH6
PAX1000
2.2 Installing Software
Note
Do not connect the PAX1000 to the PC prior to software installation!
For software installation, you need administrator privileges on your computer!
Attention
Exit all running applications on your PC as the installer may require a reboot of your PC
during installation!
Thorlabs is breaking new ground in saving our environment. We decided to refrain from ship-
ping an installation CD ROM and to offer a download of the software from our website instead.
As an additional advantage to this distribution method, the most recent version of the software
will always be available online.
The PAX1000 software package contains beside the PAX1000 software a NI VISA Runtime
and the Thorlabs DFU Wizard. The latter is required to enable the user to install future firmware
updates to the PAX1000. The software package can be downloaded from the website
https://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=PAX1000x
Note to Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 users
The NI VISA installer might require disabling the Windows Fast Startup feature. This feature
was introduced with Windows 8 and is enabled by default. The Fast Startup may interfere with
correct hardware recognition by NI VISA, so it is strongly recommended to disable the Fast
Startup as the installer requests.
In the following, an installation to an Windows 7 64 bit operating system is described, including
the installation of NI VISA Runtime 5.4.0 and Microsoft.NET Framework 4.5.1.
Download the software package to your computer, unzip it and execute the setup.exe: