THORLABS PM200 User manual

Optical Power and Energy Meter
PM200
Quick Reference
2011

Version:
Date:
1.0.0
29.07.2011
Copyright © 2011 Thorlabs

Foreword
Contents
2
1 General Information 3
31.1 Safety
2 Installation 4
42.1 Parts List
52.2 Operating Elements
62.3 Getting Started
3 Operating Instruction 7
73.1 Attenuation Correction
73.2 Wavelength Correction
93.3 Bandwidth
93.4 Range Control
103.5 Measurement Views
103.5.1 Numeric View
113.5.1.1 Subpanels
143.5.2 Needle View
143.5.3 Graph and Statistics Display
163.5.4 Calculator
173.5.5 File Manager
183.6 Additional Measurement Settings
183.7 Settings
203.8 Charging the Battery
4 Computer Interface 21
5 Appendix 22
225.1 Technical Data
255.2 Certifications and Compliances
265.3 Warranty
275.4 Copyright
285.5 Thorlabs 'End of Life' Policy (WEEE)
295.6 Listings
295.6.1 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

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 © 2011 Thorlabs

1 General Information
© 2011 Thorlabs 3
1 General Information
The PM200 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 Photodiode,
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.
The provided software, including drivers and applications for LabVIEW and C
makes it easy to integrate the instrument in test and measurement systems.
The PM200 can be operated through its auto-detecting position sensor and the
rotatable kick-stand in both a bench-top style landscape view and a hand-held
style portrait view.
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.
The power meter PM200 must not be operated in explosion endangered
environments!
All modules, sensors and externally connected devices must only be operated
with properly shielded connection cables.
Only with written consent from Thorlabs may changes to single components be
carried out or components not supplied by Thorlabs be used.
Do not remove covers!
This precision device is only serviceable if properly packed into the complete
original packaging including the plastic foam sleeves. If necessary, ask for a
replacement package.

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PM200
© 2011 Thorlabs
2 Installation
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 PM200 mechanically and electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items within the package:
1. PM200 power/energy meter console
2. Desktop power supply (5 VDC / 2.4 A)
3. Power cord according to local power supply
4. USB cable (USB Type A Connector to Mini USB Connector)
5. Cable 3.5 mm Audio Connector to Flying Leads for analog output
6. Adapter for the auxiliary connector in the top panel
7. USB memory stick (Flash Drive 1 GB) with instrument drivers, user
application and operation manual
8. Quick Reference
9. Certificate of Calibration
Optional Accessories
Environmental Measurement Module (Displays Temperature and Relative
Humidity)
Fiber Inspection Camera Module (Monochrome Fiber Inspection Camera
with Power Measurement Capability

2 Installation
© 2011 Thorlabs 5
2.2 Operating Elements
Front Panel
1. LED indicators for „Standby“ mode and „Charging“
2. Touch-pen
3. Touch-screen display
4. Removable protective silicone rubber boot
Rear Panel
5. Four position rotatable and two flap position adjustable stand
6. Adaptor for optional fiber inspection camera

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© 2011 Thorlabs
Side View
7. ON/OFF button
8. DC Input (DC 5V/2A)
9. USB host (for flash drive and fiber inspection camera)
10. Analog Output (0...2V DC)
11. Optical head input
Top View
12. Auxiliary In/Output (ext. Trigger, 4 x GPIO, 2 x ADC)
13. USB Device (PC remote operation)
14. Ambient Light Sensor
2.3 Getting Started
For first use, plug in the power supply and allow 4 hours charging the battery.
During the charging process the right LED indicator lights up, even when the unit
is turned off.
Connect a suitable Thorlabs “C-series” 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. 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 a few seconds and the unit is ready to
operate with the new sensor.
Turn on the unit by pressing the power button in the side panel.
After switching on the unit, the touch screen display will come up with a boot
screen for about 30 seconds and then jump to the last measurement screen
before power down.

2 Installation
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3 Operating Instruction
3.1 Attenuation Correction
The attenuation menu can be used to apply an additional, external related
correction factor to the power or energy reading (e.g. filter). The handling is
similar to the wavelength correction, it is possible to create a list with dedicated
attenuation items in dB or loading complete spectral transmission curves in
comma separated format.
Note
Attenuation must be entered always as a positive value, e.g., (+)10dB. The
software allows to enter negative values as well,but this would be equivalent to an
amplification.
Note
If the attenuation curve e.g. of a filter is loaded and selected, it can be easily
displayed in the 'Sensor' panel. Comparing the graphics in tab 'curve' with the tab
'eff. curve', the superposition of the sensor's response curve and the filter curve
can be seen.
3.2 Wavelength Correction
The PM200 allows the creating and administering of a nearly unlimited number of
user wavelengths and spectral curves of light sources that will be used for
calculating the spectrally corrected power or energy value.
By clicking to the wavelength value, a drop down list appears with saved
wavelength value. The menu item ("Edit...") opens the editor panel. The editor
panel instantly appears when clicking to the Wavelength button:

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PM200
© 2011 Thorlabs
Wavelength Editor Panel
Left side of the panel
User created wavelength list with scroll arrows. Depending on the connected
sensor the list items appear in standard color for a valid value or in red for a value
that is out of the sensor wavelength range. The selected wavelength will show in
the “edit window”.
Right side of the panel
Wavelength range of the connected sensor.
Edit Window with selectable units
Numeric input field.
Icons
Add item to the list
Delete item from the list
Overwrite item in the list with new value
Load spectral curve
Quit editor
A specialty of the PM200 is the possibility to load spectral curves of broadband
light sources. These files must be in comma separated format (.csv), can be
loaded from the USB drive and will be stored in the user space of the local drive.