THORLABS TCLDM9 User manual

TCLDM9
Temperature Controlled, Laser
Diode Mount for 5.6 and 9 mm LD
Operating Manual

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount
1981-D03, Rev N June 26, 2015
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions ...........................................2
Chapter 2 Safety.................................................................................3
Chapter 3 Description........................................................................4
Chapter 4 Setup.................................................................................. 6
4.1. Laser Installation ........................................................... 6
4.2. Laser Controller Connection ........................................... 8
4.2.1. Using the Thorlabs LDC/ITC Series Laser Controllers................8
4.2.2. Using a Third-Party Laser Controller ...........................................8
4.3. TEC Controller Connection............................................ 10
4.3.1. Using the Thorlabs TED Series TEC Controllers ......................10
4.3.2. Using a third-party TEC controller .............................................10
4.4. Mounting other Accessories......................................... 11
4.4.1. Mounting Thorlabs Fiber Coupled Pigtailed Lasers...................11
4.4.2. The TEC Lockout and Ground Jumpers....................................12
4.5. Making the Safety Interlock Connections ..................... 13
Chapter 5 Operation.........................................................................14
5.1. RF Modulation ............................................................. 14
5.2. Status and Interlocks ................................................... 14
Chapter 6 Maintaining the TCLDM9 ............................................... 16
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting .............................................................17
Chapter 8 Specifications .................................................................18
8.1. Thermistor Data .......................................................... 19
Chapter 9 Drawing ........................................................................... 20
Chapter 10 Regulatory.......................................................................21
Chapter 11 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts....................................... 22

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount Chapter 1: Warning Symbol Definitions
Page 2 Rev N, June 26, 2015
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)
In Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control
Out Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control
Caution: Risk of Electric Shock
Caution: Hot Surface
Caution: Risk of Danger
Warning: Laser Radiation
Caution: Spinning Blades May Cause Harm

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount
1981-D03, Rev N June 26, 2015
Chapter 2 Safety
Precautions of a general nature should be gathered here. Wherever possible,
however, safety warnings, cautions, and notes should only appear immediately
before the instructions to which they apply (versus being listed in this section).
SHOCK WARNING
Warning is given when there is danger of injury to users.
CAUTION
Caution is given when there is a possibility of damage to the product.
WARNING
Given when there is danger of injury to users.
!
!

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount Chapter 3: Description
Page 4 Rev N, June 26, 2015
Chapter 3 Description
The TCLDM9 mount by Thorlabs is ideal for temperature-controlled operation of
all 3 and 4-pin laser diodes in Ø9 mm (TO-9) and Ø5.6 mm (TO-56) packages.
The mount can control the laser diode and monitor photodiode independently
making it compatible with a wide variety of laser diodes including all three-pin style
A, B, and C configuration laser diodes, two-pin style E, G, and H configurations,
and all four-pin style D laser diodes. The TCLDM9 is also compatible with style G
laser diodes; however, modifications of the TCLDM9 Mount are required as
discussed in section 4.1. Please note that style F laser diodes are incompatible
with the TCLDM9 mount. A version of the TCLDM9 that is compatible with a style
F configuration is available upon request.
Laser diodes can be quickly and easily changed in the mount. It is as simple as
inserting the laser diode into the socket according to the imprinted pin assignment
and fastening the clamp ring with two screws. The diode socket is located very
close to the front of the cold plate making the connection of short lead devices
easier. The pass-through design of the socket lets you install long lead diodes (up
to 3/4") without trimming.
The TCLDM9 can be easily integrated into any existing optical setup. The bottom
surface of the TCLDM9 provides 8-32 and M4 mounting holes, and its front plate
is equipped with tapped holes to mount our 30 mm Cage System and SM1
threading for use with our Lens Tube Assemblies.
The TCLDM9 includes a Bias-T for RF modulation of the laser current up to 500
MHz. The mount can be adapted to the polarity of the laser diode and monitor
diode by miniature switches located at the top of the mount. User protection
features include an LED indicating an enabled laser located along the top of the
mount and a remote interlock connector located on the side.
Laser protection features include optional grounding configurations, and the TEC
Lockout circuit (only useable with our controllers) that prevents enabling the laser
unless the TEC controller is active. The built-in TE cooler enables temperature-
controlled operation of the laser diode. The clamp ring protects the laser diode
against air drafts, thus temperature stabilities of about 10 mK can be achieved.

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount
1981-D03, Rev N June 26, 2015
Figure 1 Location of Features
Laser On Indicator
TEC Interlock Bypass Jumper
LD Controller
Connetor
TEC Controller
Connetor
Shield/Ground
Jumper
PD Switch
LD Switch
RF Input
(SMA)
Remote
Interlock

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount Chapter 4: Setup
Page 6 Rev N, June 26, 2015
Chapter 4 Setup
4.1. Laser Installation
To install the laser diode, complete the following steps:
1. Unpack the laser mount and remove the four 2-56 socket head screws from the
front cover using a 5/64" hex driver.
2. Remove the two Philips head 2-56 screws from the laser-mounting flange and
remove the flange.
3. Determine the laser pin configuration from the laser diode manufacturer’s data
sheets and set the LD (Laser Diode) and PD (Photodiode) switches located on
the top of the unit according to the figure below.
Figure 2 Polarity Switch Settings
4. Most laser diodes are three pins with the case tied to one of the laser pins and
also to one of the photodiode pins. The other laser and photodiode pin will be
isolated from the case. The TCLDM9 was designed to operate the laser case at
ground potential therefore this common pin will be inserted into either the 12
o’clock or the 6 o’clock position of the laser connector. Locate the isolated laser
pin and insert it in the 3 o’clock position. The isolated photodiode should now
be in the 9 o’clock position. Refer to the figure below.
Position
Switch

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount
1981-D03, Rev N June 26, 2015
Figure 3 LD and PD Orientation
5. Replace the laser mounting flange and the cover. Install both screws through the
mounting flange and loosely into the cold plate, then carefully tighten each screw
a little bit at a time until the flange is just snug. Do not over tighten either screw
– the flange will sit slightly above the cold plate. Reinstall the cover using the
four 2-56 cap head screws provided.
Note: The four sockets comprising the laser diode connector are through hole type
sockets with a blind clearance of 0.75" measured from the front face of the copper
cold plate. It is not necessary to trim the laser diode leads prior to mounting into
this connector unless they are longer than 0.75".
Note: The laser connector is located close enough to the front face of the copper
cold plate to allow easy installation of short leaded lasers. The clearance area
around the LD and PD sockets is sufficient to prevent the pins from contacting the
cold plate.
Special Note for G Style Configuration Laser Diodes
Figure 4 TCLDM9 Internal Circuitry Showing Jumper 14
In order to drive a style G laser diode, the PD pin in the mount must be grounded. To
ground the PD pin, remove the front cover to the TCLDM9 mount. Locate jumper J4
on the right-hand side of the mount. A photo of the TCLDM9 internal circuitry is
shown in Figure 4, and jumper J4 is marked with a red arrow. Short J4 pin 3 (ground,
right pin) to J4 pin 2 (photodiode, middle pin). Grounding the photodiode pin will
G
G
PD LD

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount Chapter 4: Setup
Page 8 Rev N, June 26, 2015
allow the mount to drive a laser diode only (no photodiode) configuration with the LD
pins at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions.
Note: In this configuration, the PD pin will be the ground pin. Proper mounting of the
laser diode anode and cathode is required. In order to use the mount with any other
laser diode style will require undoing the modification performed above.
4.2. Laser Controller Connection
4.2.1. Using the Thorlabs LDC/ITC Series Laser Controllers
•The TCLDM9 is compatible with all Thorlabs LDC LD controllers and ITC
series combination controllers (LD and TEC). Appropriate cables with
DB9 connectors are included with Thorlabs controllers and ensure that
the controllers cannot be connected incorrectly. Additionally, these
controllers have built-in protection circuitry that protects the laser when
not in use.
•The nomenclature for the Laser Diode polarity switch on the LDC/ITC
driver and the TCLDM9 are consistent with each other. For example, if
the laser polarity on the driver is set to AG (anode grounded), then the
LD polarity switch on the TCLDM9 should also be set to AG, and so forth.
•The nomenclature for the Photo Diode polarity switch on the
LDC40xx/80xx and ITC series drivers and the TCLDM9 is as follows: The
photodiode polarity switch on the TCLDM9 must always be set to “CG”.
The photodiode polarity should be set with the internal Laser controller
switch only. For more information on how to set Polarity settings on the
Laser controller, please refer to the appropriate Laser Controller manual.
4.2.2. Using a Third-Party Laser Controller
When using a third-party controller, a custom cable will have to be made to properly
interface to the laser mount. Please refer to the table below for laser connections.
Figure 5 Pin Out for LD Driver and TEC Driver Connectors

Temperature Controlled, Laser Diode Mount
1981-D03, Rev N June 26, 2015
Pin Signal Description
1
Interlock and
Status Pin
(LDC Specific)
This pin is the input to the LD Status Indicator and Interlock
Circuits. When using Thorlabs LDCs no external circuitry is
required. To use these features with third-party controllers
please refer to the Status and Interlock section of this manual.
5 Interlock and
Status Return This pin is the return side of the Status and Interlock circuitry.
7 Laser Diode
Cathode
This pin is connected to the 3 o’clock pin on the laser socket
when the LD Polarity Switch is set to AG1.
Otherwise it is floating.
8 Laser Diode
Anode
This pin is connected to the 3 o’clock pin on the laser socket
when the LD Polarity Switch is set to CG2.
Otherwise it is floating.
3 Laser Ground
(Case)
This pin is connected to the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock pins on
the laser socket and corresponds to the settings of the LD and
PD polarity switches. i.e. If the LD and PD switches are
set to AG then this pin grounds the
Anodes of the laser and photo diodes.
2
Photodiode
Cathode
This pin is connected to the 9 o’clock pin on the laser socket
when the PD Polarity Switch is set to AG. It is attached to
ground and the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock pins on the laser
socket when the PD Polarity Switch is set to CG.
4 Photodiode
Anode
This pin is connected to the 9 o’clock pin on the laser socket
when the PD Polarity Switch is set to CG. It is attached to
ground and the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock pins on the laser
socket when the PD Polarity Switch is set to AG.
6
Laser Diode
Voltage
(Cathode)
This pin is connected to LD Interface Pin 7, thru a 499 Ω
resistor, when the LD Polarity Switch is set to AG. It is
attached directly to LD Interface Pin 3 when the LD Polarity
Switch is set to CG.
9
Laser Diode
Voltage
(Anode)
This pin is connected to LD Interface Pin 8, thru a 499 Ω
resistor, when the LD Polarity Switch is set to CG. It is
attached directly to LD Interface Pin 3 when the LD Polarity
Switch is set to AG.
1AG stands for Anode Ground.
2CG stands for Cathode Ground.