THORLABS TLX1 User manual

TLX1 / TLX2
Tunable Laser Source
C-Band / L-Band
User Guide

TLX Tunable Laser Source
Rev B, August 15, 2017
Table of Contents
Chapter 1Warning Symbol Definitions..............................................................................................1
Chapter 2Safety....................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 3Introduction..........................................................................................................................4
3.1.Parts List ..........................................................................................................................4
3.2.Block Diagram .................................................................................................................4 
3.3.Front and Rear Panel Overview .....................................................................................5
Chapter 4Quick Start Guide................................................................................................................6
4.1.Hardware Set-up..............................................................................................................6
4.2.Controls on the Home Page ...........................................................................................7
4.3.Controls in the Settings Pages ......................................................................................8
Chapter 5Operating Instructions........................................................................................................9
5.1.Laser Settings Page ........................................................................................................9
5.2.Variable Optical Attenuator Settings Page .................................................................10
5.3.Load Page ......................................................................................................................11
5.4.Menu Page .....................................................................................................................12
Chapter 6Specifications.....................................................................................................................15
6.1.Laser Specifications .....................................................................................................15
6.2.General Specifications.................................................................................................. 15
Chapter 7Control & PC Connections................................................................................................16
7.1.General Purpose I/O & RS-232 Connections ..............................................................16
7.2.The Laser Safety Interlock............................................................................................ 17
7.3.Connecting to a Computer ...........................................................................................17
Chapter 8Mechanical Drawings.........................................................................................................18
Chapter 9Maintenance, Repair & Fuses...........................................................................................19
9.1.Maintenance & Repair...................................................................................................19
9.2.Replacement Parts ........................................................................................................19
9.3.Replacing the Main Fuse ..............................................................................................20
Chapter 10Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................21
Chapter 11Regulatory...........................................................................................................................22
Chapter 12Declaration of Conformity.................................................................................................23
Chapter 13Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts..........................................................................................24

TLX Tunable Laser Source Chapter 1: Warning Symbol Definitions
Rev B, August 15, 2017 Page 1
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions
Below is a list of warning symbols you may encounter in this manual or on your device.
Symbol Description
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Both Direct and Alternating Current
Earth Ground Terminal
Protective Conductor Terminal
Frame or Chassis Terminal
Equipotentiality
On (Supply)
Off (Supply)
Caution: Risk of Electric Shock
Caution: Hot Surface
Caution: Risk of Danger
Warning: Laser Radiation
Caution: Spinning Blades May Cause Harm
Caution: ESD Sensitive Component

TLX Tunable Laser Source
Page 2 TTN093744-D02
Chapter 2 Safety
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this instruction manual will only apply
when the unit is operated correctly. If equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer,
the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
SHOCK WARNING
Before applying power to the instrument, make sure that the protective conductor of the 3 conductor
mains power cord is correctly connected to the protective earth contact of the socket outlet.
Improper grounding can cause electric shock with damage to your health or even death.
The local supply voltage must be in the range specified on the rear panel, and the correct fuse must
be installed in the fuse holder. If not, please replace the main fuse (see section on instrument
maintenance).
Only use mains cable with sufficient current and voltage ratings for this instrument.
Do not position equipment in a way that makes it difficult for the user to operate the disconnecting
device.
Do not remove covers. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
EXPLOSION WARNING
The instrument must not be operated in explosion endangered environments.
LASER WARNING
Avoid Exposure – Radiation Emitted from apertures. Do not look into the laser aperture while the laser
is on. Injury to the eye may result. Laser should not be turned on unless there is an optical fiber
connected to the laser output port.
Caution – Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified
herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

TLX Tunable Laser Source Chapter 2: Safety
Rev B, August 15, 2017 Page 3
CAUTION
This product is not suitable for household room illumination.
Inputs and outputs must only be connected with 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 obstruct the air ventilation slots in housing.
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).
The following statement applies to the products covered in this manual, unless otherwise specified
herein. The statement for other products will appear in the accompanying documentation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B 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 in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
Thorlabs is not responsible for any radio television interference caused by modifications of this
equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than those
specified by Thorlabs. The correction of interference caused by such unauthorized modification,
substitution or attachment will be the responsibility 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.
This precision device should only be shipped if packed into the complete original packaging
including the custom cut foam padding. If necessary, ask for replacement packing material.
ESD CAUTION
Caution – The components inside this instrument are ESD sensitive. Take all appropriate precautions
to discharge personnel and equipment before making any connections to the unit. A front panel
grounding jack is provided for connection to a wrist strap.
CAUTION
This instrument should be kept clear of environments where liquid spills or condensing moisture are
likely. It is not water resistant. To avoid damage to the instrument, do not expose it to spray, liquids,
or solvents.

TLX Tunable Laser Source
Page 4 TTN093744-D02
Chapter 3 Introduction
NOTE: This manual covers both the TLX1 and TLX2 models as the architectures are very similar. Only
the wavelength bands are different. TLX1 covers the C-band and TLX2 covers the L-band. The
differences will be clearly noted in the following sections.
3.1. 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 tested the unit mechanically and electrically. Verify that you have received the
following items within the package:
1. TLX1 or TLX2 Tunable Laser Source
2. Power Cord According to Local Power Supply
3. PM Loopback Fiber Optic Cable
4. Interlock Keys
5. 2.5 mm Interlock Pin (Pre-installed in back panel)
6. 1.25 A, 250 VAC Fuse
7. USB Type A to Type B Cable, 6’ Long
3.2. Block Diagram
These instruments contain both the laser source and a variable optical attenuator for output power control. The
user can also choose to use an external laser source of their own by attaching directly to the Laser Input port
instead of using the supplied loop-back fiber patch cord. The Laser In port uses PM fiber with light linearly
polarized along the slow axis as shown on the front panel. Maximum input power is 20 dBm (100 mW). Optical
power is monitored in two places (Mon) for the purpose of enabling bias output power control. These power
values are also available at the I/O port on the rear panel.

TLX Tunable Laser Source Chapter 3: Introduction
Rev B, August 15, 2017 Page 5
3.3. Front and Rear Panel Overview
Label Description Detail
A Touchscreen display
B Adjustment knob
C Key Switch and Indicator
E Laser Output PM FC/PC
F VOA Input PM FC/PC
G VOA Output PM FC/PC
M Standby Button
N I/O Port HD DB-15
O Option Label
P RS-232 Port DB-9
Q USB Port Type B
R Laser Interlock 2.5 mm jack
S Power Connector
T Fuse Tray
U Power Switch
B
A
C
M
EFG
R
PN
S
O
TU
Q

TLX Tunable Laser Source
Page 6 TTN093744-D02
Chapter 4 Quick Start Guide
ESD CAUTION
Caution – The components inside this instrument are ESD sensitive. Take all appropriate precautions
to discharge personnel and equipment before making any connections to the unit. A front panel
grounding jack is provided for connection to a wrist strap.
4.1. Hardware Set-up
For first use, plug the main power cable into the rear panel connector, and then plug the other end into an AC wall
receptacle. Flip the power switch on the rear panel to the ON (I) position. The unit will now be in the “Standby”
mode, and the front panel standby button should glow amber.
Attach the PM loopback fiber optic cable between the Laser Out and Laser In FC connectors on the front panel.
Be sure to clean both ends of the fiber as described in the Maintenance Section of this manual.
Insert the key into the interlock switch and turn it towards the unlock symbol ( ). This allows the laser to be
turned on, but the LASER ON indicator will not glow green until the laser is actually turned on by using the
touchscreen interface. Turn on the unit by pressing the amber standby button on the front panel which will then
turn green to indicate the unit is fully on. The touchscreen display will come up with a boot screen for about 5
seconds and then go to the home page. The unit will initialize in the factory default state with all functions OFF.

TLX Tunable Laser Source Chapter 4: Quick Start Guide
Rev B, August 15, 2017 Page 7
4.2. Controls on the Home Page
The TLX1 can be fully controlled by using the resistive touchscreen display for all functions. You can use a finger
or a plastic stylus to make selections on the screen. In addition, the knob on the front panel can be used in place
of the on-screen arrow buttons for quickly changing set-point values. Pressing (clicking) the knob will confirm a
new set-point value.
The Home screen (or dashboard) is organized into three main sections.
The left side contains the ON/OFF buttons for each of the main instrument functions. Tapping either of these buttons
will toggle the function on and off. The same ON/OFF functionality is also available on the individual Settings pages.
The power buttons turn green to indicate the function is ON, and turn red to indicate the function is disabled.
The central section is the main dashboard for reporting operational values of each section. Tapping the screen in
this middle area will take the user to the corresponding Settings page for each section. Note that the green dot in
each of these sections indicates the function is stable. A blinking green dot indicates the function is still stabilizing.
The right side of the screen provides access to the main utility functions of the box.
The screenshot below shows some of the common warning indicators on the HOME page. Some functions can
be disabled when the laser power is low. In this case, buttons may be disabled and warnings indicators may
appear.
Tap these buttons
to turn functions
ON or OFF
Tap in these areas
to go to the related
Settings pages
Blue button
Utility functions
Green Dot
Stability Indicator
Power units (dBm or
mW) are set in the
VOA Settings page
Disabled
Function
Low Power
Warnin
g
s
Interlock
Warnin
g

TLX Tunable Laser Source
Page 8 TTN093744-D02
4.3. Controls in the Settings Pages
The Settings pages all follow the same general design and functionality as shown in the example screenshot
below. The upper section with white letters displays the parameters that can be changed. Simply tap on the
parameter of interest to highlight it, and the controls for that parameter will be presented.
The lower section with amber letters displays selected values that are convenient to monitor on that page.
The right-hand column provides the controls for changing the values for the selected parameters. The main
control knob on the front panel can also be used to adjust and confirm selected values. The screenshots below
show examples of the touchscreen controls.
Tap to select parameter
Yellow highlight will appear
Increase value
Decrease value
Change Step Size
Confirm new value
Cancel any changes
Monitor area
MIN / MAX warnings
indicate that the setting
limit for a particular
parameter has been
reached.