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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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

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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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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.

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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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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.

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3.3 Bandwidth
Depending on the sensor type, the measurement bandwidth can be selected.
This can be useful to lower the impact of sensor noise to the measurement
result, particularly at low power levels.
3.4 Range Control
Up to 6 current measurement ranges (corresponding to power measurement
using photo diode sensors) and 4 voltage measurement ranges (for power
measurement using thermal sensors or energy measurement using pyroelectric
sensors) can be chosen manually with the or buttons near the
measurement unit
or by opening a list box when clicking on the measurement range value.
For power measurements an auto-ranging function is available that can be
activated by clicking on the Range label (toggle function) or via the list box, which
appears when clicking on measurement range value.

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3.5 Measurement Views
This menu can be reached via the button.
The different measurement views can be easily selected after pressing the
“views” button. For most applications the “numeric ” and the “needle ”
view will be the best choice for an excellent visible and quickly configurable
power or energy readout. The interactive touch areas allow fast access to all
settings and the drag and drop box gives up to 6 useful, free configurable extra
displays.
From this panel, also graph and statistics measurement panels can be
selected. Additionally, the File Manager and the Calculator can be started.
3.5.1 Numeric View
The upper part of the display important measurement settings are displayed.
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These settings can be changed either in the Measurement settings menu or
directly by clicking to the appropriate item.
In the bottom of the display, additional parameters can be displayed (see
Subpanels )
Precision of the Readout Value
The precision of the power or energy readout can simply be changed by clicking
on the power or energy value in the numeric or needle screen. The reading will
toggle between 3, 4 or 5 significant digits.
Units of Measure
The units of measure can be selected by clicking on the measurement unit in the
numeric or needle display. A list box will open and offer sensor depending
choices of the selectable measurement unit in W, dBm, J, A or V.
3.5.1.1 Subpanels
In the numeric display it is possible to configure supplementary displays. Click to
the , a choice of available, depending on the connected sensor, subpanels
will appear (below shown for a S120C sensor):
Up to 6 subpanels can be enabled by drag and drop to the measurement screen.
To remove items, the container needs not to be opened, just pick the item and
drag it back to the container.
Frequency
The PM200 can measure and display frequencies of pulsed, modulated or
chopped light sources up to 100kHz. The maximum measurable frequency is
depending on the sensor type and instrument settings. The measured frequency
is displayed in a subpanel.
Alternative Unit
Depending on the sensor type, alternative measurement units are available and
can be selected in both the numeric and needle view panels by clicking to the
appropriate unit.
Photodiode sensors - they deliver a current, proportional to the incident power,
but also wavelength dependent:
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W (nW, µW, mW)
A (nA, µA, mA)
dBm (1mW = 0 dBm)
Thermal sensors - they deliver a voltage proportional to the incident power:
W (nW, µW, mW)
V (mV)
dBm (1mW = 0 dBm)
Pyroelectric sensors - they deliver a voltage peak, proportional to the incident
pulse energy:
J (mJ)
V (mV)
Power / Energy Density
The calculation is based on the beam parameters, entered in Measurement
Settings panel ( and in the next panel ):
Beam shapes can be selected from a drop-down menu:
To change the beam dimension, click into the numeric field - an editor comes up:

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Also, beside the default flat top beam profile, where the power is distributed
evenly over the beam area, 2 more typical cases are also considered:
Gaussian: In case, the beam shape has one significant peak, the power density
around the peak is much higher than on the periphery. In order to consider that,
the calculated average power density value is doubled.
Hotspot: Some lasers have a beam profile shaped like a donut, or 2 or more
significant peaks appear in the profile. The power density in these hot spots is
much higher than the average across the entire beam diameter. The calculated
average power density value is tripled.
Note
Power density is always displayed in W/cm², energy density in J/cm². Density is
measured correctly only if the connected sensor is calibrated. In case a
customer made sensor is used, please make sure that the correct calibration
coefficient is entered.
Min, Max and Ratio
These subpanels show the minimum, maximum value, and the ratio out of both
numerically, in addition to the green and red markers on the power bar:
These values will update permanently. The "Reset Min / Max" button will reset
the displays to zero and restart the measurement sampling.
The ratio value will show "nan" ("No A Number") when a negative reading occurs.

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Delta Reference is the reference power value, when the console measures the
deviation (Delta measurement)
Actual is the measured value. This display is useful when performing Delta
measurements - in this mode the main display shows the deviation from the delta
reference value, so in a subpanel the actual power can be displayed.
Sensor temperature: Most of Thorlabs photodiode and thermal sensors are
equipped with a NTC Thermistor to control the temperature of the sensor head.
To show the sensor temperature, pick the "Sensor Temperature" subpanel and
drop it to the main view.
3.5.2 Needle View
In contrast to the numeric view, the needle view offers additionally a needle
gauge with min and max indicators. Subpanels are not available.
3.5.3 Graph and Statistics Display
For recording, visualizing and analyzing the measurement data in Watts or Joules
over time, the PM200 features a scope view and a statistics analysis with a
histogram view. During the record, the data will be stored to an internal temporary
file. After the record is finished or has been stopped, the measurement data can
be permanently stored to the internal logging drive or the USB drive. The data
format is comma separated (.csv) and contains
measurement value
time stamp
additional settings
sensor information.
The record stopping criteria can be selected to manually, elapsed time or

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number ofdetected samples in the measurement settings page, as well as the
interval between two records.
Note
Please note that the temporary file will be overwritten after pressing the start
button or when pressing the reset button during record. Some buttons and
functions will not be accessible during the record is running. During the record it
is possible to quickly swap between the Graph and the Statistic View as in the
following screen shots.
Graph View
Statictics View
By clicking to the histogram area, the histogram will be displayed in the entire

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display area.
3.5.4 Calculator
The calculator can be reached via the Measurement views panel. This tool
helps to choose a suitable sensor. Enter the laser type, beam shape and
dimensions and laser parameters - the calculator derives beam parameters
essential for sensor choice and outputs a list of suitable sensor heads. Below
are two examples - for CW and pulsed lasers.
Beam Parameter Calculator for CW Lasers
Beam Parameter Calculator for Pulsed Lasers
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3.5.5 File Manager
The file manager gives access to the LOCAL system drive, the user space and -
if connected - to an external USB flash drive.
The following folders in the local drive are pre-configured and cannot be
changed:
light-sources: Tables of spectral curves of broadband light sources that can
be loaded to the wavelength list and selected for the wavelength correction of
the power or energy readout.
logging: Administer data records.
response-curves: Tables of spectral response curves for custom detectors.
temp: Temporary file for data logging. This folder contains the latest record
file.
transmissions: Tables of transmission curves that can be loaded to the
attenuation menu to use for the spectral correction of the power or energy
readout.
All files can be copied to and from the USB drive. To remove a custom folder,
the folder must be selected (opened). The rename, copy and paste function is
only available for files, not for directories.
Note
Above default folders cannot be deleted nor renamed.
File manager

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3.6 Additional Measurement Settings
The measurement settings page can beached via the settings page ( ),
then press .
There are listed various sensor dependent configuration items:
Common for all sensors:
wave length correction
attenuation
measurement units
ranging
line filter for anti-aliasing
Photo diode sensors: bandwidth
Pyroelectric sensors: trigger level
Thermal Sensors: accelerator (speed-up circuitry) settings
Also, in this panel the following settings can be made:
Beam characteristic parameters for calculating the power or energy density
Configuration of the PM200 for customer built sensors
Long-term logging control
3.7 Settings
To access the settings page press the cog-wheel button in the operating bar.
The Settings panel comes up:
Settings page
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