THORLABS PM100D User manual

Optical Power Meter
PM100D
Quick Reference
2017

2 PM100D
© 2017 Thorlabs
Version: H
Date: 11. Oct. 2017
© 2012 Thorlabs

General Information 3
© 2017 Thorlabs
Table of Contents
1General Information ................................................................................................................... 4
1.1Safety ................................................................................................................................. 4
2Unpacking.................................................................................................................................. 5
3Operating the PM100D .............................................................................................................. 5
3.1Preparation ......................................................................................................................... 5
3.2Operating Elements............................................................................................................ 6
3.3Connecting a Power or Energy Sensor .............................................................................. 8
3.4Controlling the PM100D ..................................................................................................... 8
3.4.1Navigating the Menus ................................................................................................................ 8
3.4.2Power and Energy Measurement in the Numeric Display....................................................... 10
3.4.3Display Options........................................................................................................................ 13
3.4.4Analog Output.......................................................................................................................... 14
3.4.5Battery Charging...................................................................................................................... 14
3.5Computer Interface........................................................................................................... 15
4Maintenance and Repair.......................................................................................................... 15
5Warranty .................................................................................................................................. 16
6Copyright ................................................................................................................................. 16
7Certifications and Compliances ............................................................................................... 17
8Thorlabs “End of Life” Policy (WEEE)...................................................................................... 18
9Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts.................................................................................................. 19

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© 2017 Thorlabs
1 General Information
The PM100D Handheld Optical Power and Energy Meter is designed to
measure the optical power of laser light or other monochromatic or near
monochromatic light sources and the energy of pulsed light sources.
The space-saving, battery powered design and compatibility to all Thorlabs
“C-Series” Photodiode, Thermal, Pyroelectric sensors, and custom Photodi-
ode, Thermal and Pyroelectric detectors, combined with a fast USB device
interface open a wide range of applications in Manufacturing, Quality Control,
Quality Assurance, and R&D for stationary and field use.
Please refer to the user manual on the data carrier supplied with the unit for
detailed function description.
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.
Do not remove covers! Do not open the cabinet. There are no parts ser-
viceable by the operator inside!
Only with written consent from Thorlabs, changes to single components
may be carried out or components not supplied by Thorlabs may be
used.
This precision device is only transportable if duly packed into the com-
plete original packaging. If necessary, ask for a replacement package.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel!

Unpacking 5
© 2017 Thorlabs
2 Unpacking
Inspect the shipping container for damage.
If the shipping container seems to be damaged, keep it until you have in-
spected the contents and you have inspected the PM100D mechanically and
electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items within the hard-case:
1. PM100D power/energy meter console
2. 1GB SD memory card – installed in PM100D
3. Plug-In power supply with Interchangeable primary plug for USA, UK,
Europe, and Australia
4. USB cable, type ‘A’ to ‘mini-B’
5. Quick-start guide
6. USB memory stick with instrument drivers, user application and opera-
tion manual
7. Certificate of Calibration
3 Operating the PM100D
3.1 Preparation
Configure the plug-in power supply with the primary plug for your local power
supply.
Connect a suitable power or energy sensor. The sensors have a self-fixing
mechanism. To plug or unplug a sensor slightly press from both sides on the
pins in the connector housing.
Turn the unit on by pressing the power button in the side panel.
After switching on the unit, the graphics display will show the device status
and then jump to the last measurement screen before power down.
The PM100D is immediately ready to use after turning on.

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3.2 Operating Elements
Figure 1 Front Panel
Figure 2 Side Panel
Figure 3 Bottom View
On/Off Switch USB Connector Sensor Connector
(DB9 female)
DC Input (Charger) Analog Output (SMA)
Function Keys:
Navigation: 
Enter/Edit: OK
Wavelength: λ
Relative Measure: ∆
Backlight: 
Mounting Thread 1/4“-20 SD Card Slot

Operating the PM100D 7
© 2017 Thorlabs
Figure 4 Rear View
Figure 5 Numeric Display Setup
Pull here to lift the support Removable protective
Rubber boot
Header Line with Sensor Information, Date/Time and Battery state
Status Line with
Annunciators
Configurable
Sub Display
Configurable
Sub Displa
y
Tool Tip Text Bar Graph
Menu Soft But-
tons
Main Display

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3.3 Connecting a Power or Energy Sensor
The PM100D supports all Thorlabs ‘C-Series’ photodiode, thermal and pyroe-
lectric sensors. These can easily identified against older versions of Thorlabs
power or energy sensors by their red connector housing. The console will not
recognize sensors from the ‘A’ and ‘B’ series. Please contact Thorlabs for up-
grading of old sensors with ‘C-Series’ connectors.
To plug or remove a sensor slightly press the two bolts in the connector hous-
ing. Sensors can be ‘hot-swapped’ to the console, after recognizing a new
valid sensor the type and calibration data will be downloaded to the console
in approximately 2 seconds and the unit is ready to operate with the new sen-
sor.
3.4 Controlling the PM100D
3.4.1 Navigating the Menus
Each measurement screen contains eight soft buttons that are arranged in 2
rows in the bottom of the graphics display. These can be controlled by the
four navigation (), and the enter/edit (OK) key. An interactive help
text above describes shortly the function of each selected button.
The soft buttons may be configured with the following functions:
Type Indicator Function when pressing ‘OK’ Example
Menu Shows a sub menu, by rearranging the soft
button labels
Meas
Config 
Ring
Control
Scrolls up and down the ring with the up
and down navigation buttons. The changes
are valid immediately. A blinking button
frame indicates that the control is active.
Confirm with ‘OK’
Range
Function
key
Label in
capitals
Proceeds the described function RESET
Radio
button
Selects the function of the pressed key. The
active key gets the ‘checked’ mark ()
W
Numeric Key label
contains a
number
The button goes in the ‘edit’ mode. This is
indicated by a blinking frame and one digit
with a blinking underline. With the  but-
tons navigate the digit to change; with the
 keys increment or decrement the digit.
Confirm with ‘OK’
1.550µm
Button Appearance: Focus on Button Text Negative . Edit Mode
Blinking frame.
All sub menus can be left by navigating to the EXIT button at the down-
right soft button location or to any empty … e … button, and pressing the
OK key.

Operating the PM100D 9
© 2017 Thorlabs
System Settings
The following sub menus will appear:
- Measurement Settings
Remote state PM100D can be switched back to local mode
Line filter Sets the unit to the local line frequency
50Hz/60Hz to avoid aliasing effects
Default sensor Sets the PM100D in a mode to measure photo
current, thermal voltage or peak voltage from a
pyroelectric detector. See user manual.
- Console Settings
Language User interface language setting
Backlight Switches the LCD and key backlight on and off
(Same function as the key)
Brightness Sets the brightness of the LCD and key back-
light. The setting range is 0 – 100% in 1% in-
crements
LCD Contrast Adjusts the LCD contrast. The setting range is
0 – 100% in 1% increments
Sound Switches on and off the key and warning
sounds
Shutdown The unit automatically powers off in battery op-
eration after a certain time without user action.
This feature can be set to 10 minutes, 1 hour
or switched off; and is not active when an ex-
ternal power supply (AC adapter or USB) is
connected.
Firmware Upload Needs to be ‘enabled’ before uploading a new
firmware version. The function will automatical-
ly reset to ‘disabled’ when powering down.
- Date and Time Enters a submenu to set date and time. It is
possible to chose various date and time for-
mats.
- Console Info Shows the console related information.
- Sensor Info Shows the related information of the currently
connected power or energy sensor.

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3.4.2 Power and Energy Measurement in the Numeric Display
The numeric display contains a large configurable measurement value, two
small sub displays for additional measurement information, and a bar-graph
that shows the saturation degree of the chosen measurement range. To con-
trol and configure the numeric display the soft buttons in the top level are ar-
ranged as following:
3.4.3.1 Range Control
Up to 6 power corresponding current and 4 power / energy corresponding
voltage ranges can be chosen manually with the or keys. For power
measurements an auto-ranging function is available.
3.4.3.2 Wavelength Correction
The menu offers 8 individually configurable sensor independent wavelength
settings.
To edit a wavelength keep the OK key pressed for 1 second. Set the desired
wavelength with the  keys.
λ