THORLABS PM400 User manual

Optical Power and Energy Meter
PM400
Operating Manual
2017

Version:
Date: 1.0 14-Jul-2017
Copyright © 2017 Thorlabs GmbH

Foreword
Contents 3
1General Information 4
41.1 Safety
51.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories
51.3 Requirements
2Getting Started 6
62.1 Parts List
62.2 Operating Elements
82.3 Installing Software
3Operating Instruction 17
173.1 Measurement Screens
203.2 Measurement Configuration
213.3 Spectral Correction
223.4 Delta Mode
223.5 Zeroing
233.6 Attenuation Correction
243.7 Data Handling
253.8 Subpanels
263.9 Main Menu
283.10 Charging the Battery
283.11 Analog and Auxiliary I/O
4Computer Interface 29
294.1 PM400 Utility Software
324.2 Using the Instrument Drivers
5Write Your Own Application 33
345.1 Windows XP 32bit
355.2 Windows Vista / 7 / 8 - 32bit
365.3 Windows Vista / 7 / 8 - 64bit
385.4 Simple LabVIEW Example using SCPI commands
425.5 SCPI Commands
425.5.1 An Introduction to the SCPI language
455.5.2 IEEE488.2 Common Commands
455.5.2.1 Command Summary
465.5.2.2 Command Reference
475.5.2.3 PM400 specific SCPI Command Reference
6Maintenance and Service 54
546.1 Version Information

7 Appendix 55
557.1 Sensor Connector Pinning
567.2 Technical Data
597.3 Certifications and Compliances
607.4 Symbols and Abbreviations
617.5 Warranty
627.6 Copyright and Exclusion of Reliability
637.7 Thorlabs 'End of Life' Policy
647.8 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
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
3

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH4
PM400
1 General Information
The PM400 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 ener-
gy of pulsed light sources.
The space-saving, battery powered design is compatible with all Thorlabs “C-Series” Photodi-
ode, Thermal, Pyroelectric sensors, and custom Photodiode, Thermal and Pyroelectric detec-
tors. Combined with a fast USB device interface, these features open a wide range of applicati-
ons in Manufacturing, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and R&D for stationary and field use.
A remote control software, including drivers and applications for LabVIEW and C, makes it easy
to integrate the instrument in test and measurement systems. The software package can be
downloaded from
https://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=PM100x.
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 PM400 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.
Note
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. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protecti-
on 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. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful in-
terference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expen-
se.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
1 General Information
5
1.2 Ordering Codes and Accessories
Ordering Code
Description
PM400
Handheld Power / Energy Meter Console
Included Accessories
· BNC-to-3.5-mm adapter for Analog output
· USB cable A to Mini-B
Optional Accessories
· PM400-PMA post-mount adapter – fix to back with two M3 screws
· PM400-AUX adapter card with GPIO ports and a sensor for ambient temperature and
relative humidity measurement.
· TSP-TH external NTC (thermistor temperature sensor)
Please visit our homepage http://www.thorlabs.com for various accessories like fiber adapters,
posts and post holders, data sheets and further information.
1.3 Requirements
These are the requirements to the PC intended to be used for remote operation of the PM400.
Hardware Requirements
CPU: 1 GHz or higher
RAM: 256 MB
Graphic card Min. 32 MB memory
Hard disc Min 100 MB free storage space
Interface free USB2.0 port, USB cable according the USB 2.0 specification
Software Requirements
The PM400 software is compatible with the following operating systems:
· Windows®XP (32-bit) SP3
· Windows®Vista (32-bit, 64-bit)
· Windows®7 (32-bit, 64-bit)
· Windows®8.1 (32-bit, 64-bit)
· Windows®10 (32-bit, 64-bit)
For operation of the PM400, also an NI-VISA (version 5.4. or higher) is required. This NI-VISA
engines comes with the Thorlabs GmbH PM400 installation package, but can be downloaded
also from National Instruments' website www.ni.com. A LabVIEW Engine 2015 is included as
well.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH6
PM400
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 PM400 mechanically and electrically.
Verify that you have received the following items within the package:
1. PM400 Optical Power Meter Console
2. BNC-to-3.5-mm-Audio Adapter for Analog output
3. USB cable A to Mini-B
4. This Operating Manual
5. Certificate of Calibration
2.2 Operating Elements
Front Panel
1
Capacitive Touchscreen Area for general operation
2
Battery Charging Indicator
3 to 7
Additional Capacitive Touch Buttons for:
3
Spectral Correction (enter operating wavelength)
4
Delta mode
5
Zeroing
6
Device Main Menu
7
Return / Reset

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
2 Getting Started
7
The capacitive touch screen allows gesture operation:
Click (short) for buttons, drop-downs etc.
Horizontal swipe (change view)
Horizontal scroll (graph control). Requires two fingers! 1)
Zoom (graph control) either with thumb and index or index and middle finger. 1)
Press > 2 seconds and release
1) These gestures are enabled only in the viewer mode of the graph display.
Top Panel
1
Device On / Off button
2
Mini-B USB connector for remote control, SD card access and charging
(Charging via PC @ 0.5 A, charging via adapter @ 1 A)
3
Analog Output Signal
2P audio jack Ø 3.5 mm
4
9 Pin DSUB for connection of Thorlabs C-Series Power and Energy sensors;
Custom detectors
5
Connector for External Temperature Sensor TSP-TH (NTC)
3P audio jack Ø 2.5 mm
6
Auxiliary connector DIL 14 pin for digital I/O and external environmental module
to ambient temperature and humidity.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH8
PM400
2.3 Installing Software
For the PM400 a software package is available on the Thorlabs GmbH website:
https://www.thorlabs.de/software_pages/viewsoftwarepage.cfm?code=PM100x
This software package contains:
· NI VISA 5.4.1 Runtime
· NI LabView Runtime 2015
· Thorlabs PM100 Utility Version 5.8
· Thorlabs Instrument Communicator 2 Version 1.5.0
· Thorlabs DFU (Device Firmware Update) Wizard Version 2.6
Download the ZIP archive and extract the files to your computer. Below, the appropriate instal-
lation steps are shown fore installation to a Windows 7 64 bit operating system.
Note
The described below procedure applies to a computer without installed NI VISA 5.4.1 Runtime
and NI LabView Runtime 2015. If these components are installed already and correctly recog-
nized, the installer skips the installation and resumes with Thorlabs software installation.
Start the installation by executing the file setup.exe as shown in above screenshot.
Click "Yes" to start installation.
Note
You need administrator privileges to install the software!

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
2 Getting Started
9
NI VISA 5.4.1 Runtime
Click "Install", then "Next" to continue.
Click "Next" to continue.
We recommend to uncheck the box that is marked red. Then click "Next" to continue.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH10
PM400
Select "I accept..." if you do so, then click "Next" to continue.
Click "Next" to continue.
You might be prompted to restart the computer. In order to ensure proper installation of subse-
quent components, it is strongly recommended to restart your computer now.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
2 Getting Started
11
NI LabView Runtime 2015
After rebooting the computer, the installer continues automatically.
Note If the installation process does not resume automatically, please execute the setup.exe
anew.
Click "Install", then "Next" to continue.
Click "Next" to continue.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH12
PM400
We recommend to uncheck the box that is marked red. Then click "Next" to continue.
Select "I accept..." if you do so, then click "Next" to continue.
Click "Next" to continue.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
2 Getting Started
13
You might be prompted to restart the computer. In order to ensure proper installation of subse-
quent components, it is strongly recommended to restart your computer now.
Installing Thorlabs Software
After rebooting the computer, the installer continues automatically.
Note If the installation process does not resume automatically, please execute the setup.exe
anew.
Click "Next" to continue.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH14
PM400
Select "I accept..." if you do so, then click "Next" to continue.
Click "Next", then "Install" to continue.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
2 Getting Started
15
Click "Install" to continue.
Read the information, then click "Next". In the last window click "Finish". On the desktop three
new icons appear that allow to execute the installed software.
Switch on your PM400, and connect it to a free USB port using the USB cable that was atta-
ched. The required driver software is being installed.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH16
PM400
Start the application from the Optical Power Meter Utility icon. The GUI opens and you will be
prompted for device selection:

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH
3 Operating Instruction
17
3 Operating Instruction
· For first use, connect the PM400 to a suitable charging device and charge the battery for
4 hours.
· Connect the optical sensor (C-Series - red DSUB connector) to the DSUB jack (4) on the top
of the device.
· Switch on the PM400.
· The PM400 starts in the last view that was used before shutdown.
3.1 Measurement Screens
Needle Screen
Analog needle simulation with digital measurement value. The needle has a factor 10 zooming
function. Further, there are indicators for the extreme values that can be set to the actual value
by the reset key.
Needle Display - Thermal Sensor ((Zoomed Scale)
Bandwidth Setting
Resolution of the digital
value
Toggle to change units
Display Update rate
Next Screen
The lower display bar shows from left the set wavelength, status of Delta measurement and the
Zero compensation value.

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH18
PM400
Numerical Display
Numerical display with bar graph. This view has six additional small configurable displays with
additional, sensor specific information.
The sub-display configuration is accessible by drop down menus.
Numeric Display - Photodiode Sensor with External 10 dB Attenuator
Bandwidth Setting
Resolution of the digital
value
Toggle to change units
Display Update rate
Next Screen
The lower display bar shows from left the set wavelength, status of Delta measurement and the
Zero compensation value.
Graph Display
The graph display allows to capture measurements over time and to analyze the results.
Graph Display in Capturing Mode
Start / Stop Capturing
Show all results/
Roll latest
Open folder with captured
files
Analyze capture (Switch
to Viewer Mode)
Next Screen