THORLABS PM101 User manual

Optical Power Monitor
Operation Manual
2023

Version:
Date: 5.0 07-Jun-2023
Copyright © 2023 Thorlabs

Foreword
Contents 3
1 General Information 4
2 Requirements 6
3 First Steps 7
4 Graphical User Interface (GUI) 8
94.1 File 94.2 Devices 114.2.1 Active Devices 114.2.1.1 Add Devices 144.2.1.2 Edit Devices 144.2.2 Settings 164.2.3 Information 164.2.3.1 User Calibration of Sensors 214.2.3.2 Firmware Update Tool for Power Meters 224.2.4 Measurement 244.2.5 Tuning 274.2.6 Statistics 294.2.7 Graph 314.3 Monitoring 324.3.1 Table Configuration 334.3.2 Logging Settings and Information 364.3.3 Logging Chart 374.3.4 File Format 384.4 Data Viewer 424.5 Help
5 Optical Power Monitor with different Devices 43
435.1 Power Meter Dependent Variations 435.1.1 PM101x 435.1.2 PM102x 445.1.3 PM103x 445.1.4 PM400 455.1.5 PM5020 475.2 Sensor-Dependent Variations 475.2.1 Pyroelectric Energy Sensors ESxxxC 515.2.2 Temperature Sensor TSP-TH on PM400, PM101, PM102, PM103, PM5020 525.2.3 Thermal Sensors 535.2.4 Thermal Position Sensor 535.2.4.1 OPM Interface for Thermal Position Sensors

595.2.5 Custom Sensors 615.3 Single Photon Counting Device
6 Version Information 66
7 Instrument Driver for Thorlabs Power Meters 67
677.1 Power Meter Driver Switcher 707.2 Adaptation of Customer Software
8 Troubleshooting 71
9 Write Your Own Application 73
749.1 32 bit Operating System 759.2 64 bit Operating System
10 Appendix 78
7810.1Warranty 7810.2 Copyright and Exclusion of Liability 7910.3Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

© 2023 Thorlabs
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 constantly improve our products 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 this advice carefully!
This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.
Attention
Paragraphs preceded by this symbol explain hazards that could
damage the instrument and the connected equipment or may cause
loss of data.
Note
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Optical Power Monitor
1 General Information
The Thorlabs Optical Power Monitor (OPM) is a graphical user interface (GUI) designed for the
straightforward use of Thorlabs' power meters. The OPM monitors and saves power meter
measurements and features aninterface for data viewing and analysis. A variety of settings for the
connected devices, the display, and the measurement canbe easilyconfigured.
To control complex setups, the OPM can monitor up to 8 Thorlabs sensors on Thorlabs power
meters connected inparallel via USB or Bluetoothalso onyour tablet computer.
The OPM software provides continuous data logging, also for long-term measurements. Short-term
measurements are monitored and recorded bythe software witha highresolution.
The user can switch between displayed parameters and connected sensors at any time during an
active measurement or use the simulated analog needle view for assistance during tuning.
Log files saved by the OPM or data saved by a PM400 or PM5020 power meter can be loaded
into the OPM Data Viewer for viewing or analysis. Additionally, the OPM provides statistics
parameters to evaluate the results.
The displaylanguage canbe setto English, German, or Chinese.
Beyond these capabilities, the OPM provides a user-friendly design with reduced overall
brightness for comfortable work indark environments and highcontrast and minimized use of color
coding for operabilitywith laser safetyglasses.
The OPM supports the following Thorlabs devices and appropriate sensors and can administer
them inparallel.
·PM101x(PM101, PM101A, PM101R, PM101U)
·PM102x(PM102, PM102A, PM102U)
·PM103x(PM103, PM103A, PM103U)
·PM100USB
·PM16-Series
·PM1601)
·PM160T1)
·PM160T-HP 1)
·PM400
·PM100A
·PM100D
·PM200
·PM5020
·SPCNT
1) Bluetoothconnectionpossible
Different Thorlabs devices provide additional functions, listed in the chapter "Optical Power
Monitor withdifferent Devices ".
Note
The OPM contains the functions provided bythe Optical Power Meter Utility, Multi Power Meter,
and Power Meter Monitor software packages and provides many additional features.
Attention
New Instrument Driver
Please note that the Optical Power Monitor installs and uses the newer power meter driver
TLPM.dll instead of the formerlyused NI-VISA™-based driver PM100D.dll. Incase you want to use
any of the old software packages Optical Power Meter Utility, Multi Power Meter or Power
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1 General Information
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Meter Monitor or if you are using Custom Made Software, please read the Instrument Driver for
Thorlabs Power Meters sectionto revert to the driver PM100D.dll.
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2 Requirements
These are the requirements for the PC intended to be used for the installation of the Optical Power
Monitor.
Hardware Requirements
CPU: 2.4 GHzor Faster
RAM: Min. 4 GB
Graphic Card: Min. 1024 x768 PixelGraphic Resolution
Hard Disc: Min. 1 GB of Available Free Space (32 bit Operating System)
Min. 2.3 GB ofAvailable Free Space (64 bit Operating System)
Interface Free USB 2.0 Port, USB Cable According to the USB 2.0 Specification
Software Requirements
The OPM software is compatible withthe following operating systems:
·Windows®8.1 (32 bit, 64 bit)
·Windows®10 (32 bit, 64 bit)
·Windows®11 (64 bit)

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3 First Steps
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3 First Steps
The Optical Power Monitor can be downloaded from the Thorlabs website:
https://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=OPM
Note
Do not connect a power meter to the PC during software installation! Please make sure that the
installationis carried out completely, including the reboot requests.
·Save the ZIP file to your computer and unpack the archive.
·Double click the setup.exe to installShield Wizard.
·Read and accept the End-user License Agreement and the GNU Lesser generalPublic License.
·Note the Readme Informationduring the installationprocess: A new and improved instrument
driver (TLPM Instrument Driver ) is installed.
·After installing the OPM,connectthe power meter(s) to the PC.
Note
Up to 8 power meters can be connected and monitored in parallel in a single software instance. If
your PC does not provide a sufficient number of USB-ports, use a powered USB-HUB to ensure
thatenoughpower is supplied to the power meters.
Start Application
Start the OPM from the desktop icon:
or access the OPM from the STARTbutton:
Attention
New Instrument Driver
Please note that the Optical Power Monitor installs and uses the newer power meter driver
TLPM.dll instead of the formerlyused NI-VISA™-based driver PM100D.dll.Incase you want to use
any of the old software packages Optical Power Meter Utility, Multi Power Meter or Power
Meter Monitor or if you are using Custom Made Software, please read the Instrument Driver for
Thorlabs Power Meters sectionto revert to the driver PM100D.dll.
Note
Whenconnecting anadditional power meter, unknownto the PC, the driver for this power meter will
be installed as indicated onthe bottom right corner of the screen.
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4 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
In this manual, the OPM interface is described based on a set up using a Power Meter console
consisting of either a Thorlabs PM100USB with a Thorlabs Photodiode Power Sensor S122C, or
a Thorlabs PM101 witha Thorlabs Photodiode Power Sensor S120C, connected to a PC running
with OS Windows®10. Variations in the interface due to certain power meter consoles are
described inthe sectionOPM with Different Devices .
The OPM automaticallyconnects the firstrecognized power meter, lists it in the left panel in Active
Devices (here: PM101) and shows the setting options for power measurements recorded by the
connected power meter.
Menu Bar
File
Load File, Save, and Print ScreenShot and Exit the Software
Devices
Activate and Administer Devices and Measurements
Monitoring
Set Up a Measurement to be Logged and Saved (Active only after Device
Setup)
Data Viewer
View and Analyze Loaded Files
Help
Language Settings, General Software Settings, Software Information and
Link to the Manual
To setup a short measurement, go through the sub menu of Devices or use the Monitoring
menu for long term logging.
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4 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
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Note
If no power meters are connected to the PC or automatically recognized, the OPM starts with the
Found Devices panel instead of the Measurement panel. Use the Found Devices panel to
scanfor devices and connect them to the software.
4.1 File
The File menu provides the following options:
Load Files Generated inMonitoring
Load Files Generated bythe Thorlabs PM400
Print a ScreenShot
Generate a ScreenShot to be Saved as anImage
Note
PM400 files : The file structure of data saved by the Optical Power Monitor and the PM400
differ. Bothfile formats canbe loaded bythe OPM by selecting the appropriate import option. Also
note the informationgiven inthe sectionfile formats .
4.2 Devices
The Devices menuadministers the currentlyconnected devices, short-termmeasurements and the
respective settings.
To start a measurement, follow the sequence suggested bythe menubar from left to right:
·Activate Devices
·Adjust Settings
·Observe the Measurement
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Menu Bar
Active Devices
Administer Connected Power Meters
Settings
Administer Settings ofthe Displayand Connected Devices
Information
Informationabout the Connected Devices
Measurement
Active Measurement Display
Tuning
Analog Needle SimulationwithDigital Measurement Value
Statistics
Statistics Tool to Setup, Display, and Save Statistics of the Active
Measurement
Graph
Toolfor Short-Term Measurements withHighSampling Resolution
Note
If no power meters are connected to the PC or automatically recognized, the OPM starts with the
Found Devices panel instead of the Measurement panel. Use Found Devices to scan for
devices and connect them to the software. The OPM automatically connects the first recognized
power meter.
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4.2.1 Active Devices
Devices connected to the software will automatically appear in the list Active Devices . To
activate additional devices, connect them in the Found Devices panel. The OPM automatically
recognizes devices connected to the PC and connects to the first recognized device any time the
software is started.
Inthe example below, the PM101 and a sensor withthe SerialNumber 14031917 are connected to
the PC.This combination has automatically been connected to the OPM and therefore appears in
the panel Active Devices.
Active devices receive a defaultname consisting ofthe power meter type and the serial number of
the sensor. This default name canbe edited to a name of choice.
Note
Devices that were connected to the software in the previous sessionare automatically reconnected
to the software. Device name and settings from the previous session are automatically loaded in
the new session.
Use the Tool Bar,to add or edit the active devices:
:Add devices to the list of Active Devices
:Edit : Rename devices
:Disconnect: Disconnect devices from the software.
Note
In case a device was not recognized by the Optical Power Monitor, please
reconnect it to the PC.
4.2.1.1 Add Devices
Use the Found Devices panel to connectpower meter consoles to the software byactivating them
inthe "Active Devices" list.
·Click inthe Active Devices table to add devices.
·Click Rescan if no devices are detected to find all devices connected to the PC or reconnect
devices to the PC.
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Here, PM102 and PM100USB are recognized. The panel Found Devices shows details about
the devices that are connected to the PC.
Click to view sensor information.
·Mark the tick-boxinFound Devices and click Connect to activate devices.
·Click ona device in Active Devices to returnto the Devices menu and view measurements.
Note
When the first recognized device is connected to the software, the display changes to monitor a
measurement as shownin Devices .
Note
If no power meters are connected to the PC or automatically recognized, the OPM starts with the
Found Devices panel.
COM-PORT
When using a PM101, PM101R, PM102, or PM103 device over a serial interface, the COM Port
canbe selected by clicking the respective field. Please also adjust the Baud rate in this interface.
For more information, please see the manuals for PM101xand PM102x, PM103x.
The power meter is now controlled via RS232 operation via the DE-9 or DA-15
port. The status is showninthe field Active Devices next to the device name.
Attention Instrument Driver
Be aware that different instrument drivers may be used by your device. The OPM recognizes
and runs withpower meters using the new driver TLPM or a legacydriver PM100D.However, when
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running the software witha connected PM400, PM101x, PM102x, or PM103xwiththe old PM100D
driver, the software will notprovide all functions.
In case the legacy driver PM100D is used, the information panel under devices will show a field
USB driver, indication NI-VISA™. In this case, please use the driver switcher , that is
automaticallyinstalled withthe OPM to change to the newdriver TLPM.
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4.2.1.2 Edit Devices
Click to edit the Active Devices list.
Use the below panel to rename the device or change the identificationcolor.
4.2.2 Settings
Device settings and measurement settings need to be adjusted in the Settings menu prior to the
measurement byusing the drop downmenus shownbelow.
Note
Changes in the settings made during a measurement are applied immediately and impact the
measurement.Changes insettings during active measurements are not saved!
Attention
As the OPM calculations depend on these settings, correct settings are essential for best
measurement accuracy.
Display: Adjust DisplaySettings
Device: Adjust Device Settings
Beam Parameters: Adjust Light Source Settings
Display
Parameter: Select the parameter that should be displayed as the main
parameter in all 4 measurement monitors: Measurement, Tuning, Statistics,
and Graph.
Resolution: Set the desired measurement resolution.

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Device Wavelength: Set the wavelength of the measured light. This is essential
in order to compensate the measurement result for the wavelength-
dependent responsivity of the sensor.
Bandwidth: Set the bandwidth of the photodiode to low or high,
depending on the incoming signal and the properties of your photodiode
sensor (please see the specification of your sensor and the Thorlabs
Photodiode Tutorial).
Range: Maximum value to be measured within the selected power range.
This displayed value is calculated by the power meter. It is recommended
to use the defaultsetting Auto Range ON.
Use Auto Range OFF, to set the measurement range manually, for
example for measurement of pulsed light sources.
Attenuation: To account for the attenuation of optical components placed
between the light source and the power meter sensor (e.g. filters, beam
splitters, etc.), a correctionfactor can be assigned. For exceptions see the
sectionPower Meter Dependent Variations .
Zero Adjust: Compensate the measurement result for the measured dark
signal or noise.
Averaging: Choose the number of values averaged. Averaging is
calculated by the software and thus the measurement values may differ from the values displayed
onthe power meter consoles. Measurement values are provided to the software by the connected
Thorlabs power meter at the specified refresh rate described in the power meter manual. When
choosing to average the measurement values, all measurement values displayed within the OPM
will be averaged.
AOx Responsivity: For PM101 (AO2) and PM101A (AO), PM102 and PM102A (POWER AO),
PM103 and PM103A (AO2), and PM5020 (AO X) the OPM allows to define the voltage level of the
anlog output by configuring the responsivity. Please see the manuals of PM101x, PM102x,
PM103x, and PM5020 for more details.
Note
Depending onthe power meter, notall options maybe displayed.
Beam Parameters
The Beam Parameters are relevant whencalculating Irradiance or Fluence (for pyro sensors).
Shape: Choose between Circular, Square or Rectangular according to
your light source and optics.
Size: Adjust the size of the beam arriving on the photo sensor according to
your light source and optics.
Profile: Adjust beam profile arriving at the photo sensor according to your
light source and optics.
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4.2.3 Information
This menu lists information about the connected devices, Power Meters and Sensors, as
retrieved from the connected device.
Power Meter
Type: Type of Thorlabs Power Meter
Serial Number: Serial Number of the Device
Firmware Revision: Current Firmware Version of the Power Meter.
Update the Firmware byselecting the button .
Sensor
Name: Sensor Name
Serial Number: Serial Number of the Sensor
Type: Type of Sensor: Photodiode, Thermal-, or Pyroelectric Sensor
Wavelength Range: WavelengthRange of Detectionof the Sensor
.
Calibration
Type: Type of Sensor Calibration. Select to calibrate the sensor .
Sensor: Date of last sensor calibration
Attention
Whenthe software uses the power meter driver PM100D.dll,this is showninthe interface inthe
power meter sectionbelow"Firmware". Whenrunning the software witha connected PM400,
PM101x, PM102x, or PM103xwiththe old PM100D driver, the software will lack certainfunctions.
To switchthe driver, please see the chapter Power Meter Driver Switcher .
4.2.3.1 User Calibration of Sensors
The OPM provides a CalibrationWizard for the user to calibrate Thorlabs Photodiode and
Thermopile Sensors incombinationwitha power meter.
Inprinciple,the CalibrationWizard uses a measured single point signal from a trusted reference
sensor to calibrate the sensor connected to the power meter. The determined correctionfactor and
calibrationdata are thensaved withthe serialnumbers ofthe sensors inthe internal memoryof the
power meter and retrieved bythe OPM.Up to 5 datasets canbe saved.Informationremains there
until new calibrationdata overrides it. The user canrevert the recalibrationanytime and returnto
the factorycalibration.
The following power meters support this function: PM400, PM101x, PM102x, PM103x.
Calibration protocol
Before starting the calibration, provide a power meter,a light source,a reference sensor, and the
sensor to be calibrated.
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Openthe CalibrationWizard byclicking inthe Informationpanel.
The wizard leads the customer through the protocol.
The start screenallows to choose betweenthe factorycalibrationand a user calibration.
Click "Perform User Calibration" to start a calibration or select and apply a previously saved
calibration.

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Optical Power Monitor
To start a new calibration, define the user and click NEXT to adjust the background noise "Zero
Adjust".
Followthe instructions and click "START".
The background is measured. This can be repeated. When the background measurement is
finished, click "NEXT" to proceed to the calibration.