THORLABS QS30 Series User manual
QS30 & QS45 Series
1- & 2-Axis
Galvo Scanners
User Guide
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions.............................................................................................2
Chapter 2 Safety...................................................................................................................................3
2.1. Safety Information........................................................................................................ 3
2.2. General Warnings......................................................................................................... 3
Chapter 3 Description .........................................................................................................................5
Chapter 4 Quick Connect Guide........................................................................................................6
Chapter 5 Specifications.....................................................................................................................7
5.1. Galvo Scanner Specs................................................................................................... 7
5.2. Mirror Coating Specs ................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 6 Connectors.........................................................................................................................8
Chapter 7 Heat Sink Requirements ...................................................................................................9
Chapter 8 Mounting Requirements..................................................................................................10
Chapter 9 Thermal Drift Reduction..................................................................................................11
Chapter 10 Limited Warranty..............................................................................................................12
Chapter 11 Regulatory ........................................................................................................................13
Chapter 12 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts........................................................................................14
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 1: Warning Symbol Definitions
Page 2 MSTN000987-D02
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
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 2: Safety
Rev B, February 9, 2022 Page 3
Chapter 2 Safety
2.1. Safety Information
The following safety symbols may be used throughout the handbook and on the equipment itself.
CAUTION
Caution is given when there is a possibility of damage to the product.
WARNING
Given when there is danger of injury to users.
2.2. General Warnings
CAUTION
Excessive moisture may impair operation. Spillage of fluid, such as sample solutions, should be
avoided. If spillage does occur, clean up immediately using absorbant tissue. Do not allow spilled
fluid to enter the internal mechanism.
WARNING
Although the unit does not emit radiation, it does redirect laser radiation emitted from other devices.
Operators must follow all safety precautions provided by the manufacturer of any associated laser
devices.
WARNING
Safety precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to laser radiation. During system shutdown or
malfunction, the scanner can point the beam anywhere within its range of rotation. It is up to the user
of these scanners to limit the exit aperture of the laser beam in order to provide laser safety.
•When unpacking the galvanometer, care should be taken not to damage the rotor. The rotor and bearing
assemblies can be easily damaged if impacted or loaded with excessive forces. The galvanometer should
be kept free of dirt, dust, oil, and other contaminants.
•Do not make physical contact with the galvo mirrors. If absolutely necessary, handle the mirrors with
extreme care. Use finger cots or gloves before touching any mirrors or optical elements. Finger oils will
damage the reflective coatings on the mirrors.
•Do not remove or adjust the mirror. Any changes to this mounting can affect the resonance and cause the
system to go unstable during operation.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 2: Safety
Page 4 MSTN000987-D02
•When unpacking the servo drive electronics, caution should be used to protect against static electricity
damage. Failure to use proper static protection may cause damage to the servo driver boards and void the
manufacturer’s warranty.
•Galvanometers packaged with servo drivers (and mirrors) are factory tuned as a set. Each galvanometer
is tuned to a specific a servo driver and MUST stay together as a set. For systems using more than one
galvanometer and servo amplifier, the units are not interchangeable. Servo driver boards have a copy of
their mating scanner serial number on the bottom.
•Servo drivers must be properly attached to a heat sink. Refer to Chapter 7: Heat Sink Requirements for
proper heat sinking instructions. Failure to heat sink the servo driver could result in overheating of
components, which could damage the driver and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
•Every servo driver is tuned to accept a specific input voltage range. Using input command voltages outside
of this range may cause hardware damage. Thorlabs will not be responsible for damage as a result of
command input voltages that exceed the specified voltage range.
•Proper voltage and ground need to be supplied prior to operation. The power supply should have sufficient
voltage and current for the application. Noisy power supplies can result in poor scanner performance.
Switching power supplies can often introduce unwanted noise.
•Be sure that the mirror does not collide with any other mirrors or objects.
•Your optical scanners were carefully tested and inspected before packaging. Please report any damage to
your shipping company immediately.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 3: Description
Rev B, February 9, 2022 Page 5
Chapter 3 Description
This manual covers the installation and use of Thorlabs’ QS30 & QS45 Series 1- & 2-Axis Galvo Scanners. Each
of these galvos uses a ceramic rotor to reduce rotor inertia and increase rotor stiffness. Increased rotor stiffness
increases the galvanometer’s first resonant frequency, which in turn improves step response.
These galvo scanners are specifically designed to rotate optical scanning mirrors at a high bandwidth and then
settle to a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. They are designed to carry a balanced inertial load, matched
to the size of the stator and rotor combination. The exact inertia that can be driven depends on the application,
which in turn specifies a speed and settling accuracy requirement.
A galvanometer’s stator can generate a significant amount of heat. In these galvos, the position detector is thermally
isolated from the stator. The stator has its own heat sink, which transfers its heat to the air surrounding the
galvanometer.
WARNING
Safety precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to laser radiation. During system shutdown or
malfunction, the scanner can point the beam anywhere within its range of rotation. It is up to the user
of these scanners to limit the exit aperture of the laser beam in order to provide laser safety.
CAUTION
This manual contains all the information necessary to install and operate QS30 and QS45 series
galvanometers. Servo drivers are factory tuned with a matched galvanometer and mirror. Servo
amplifiers should not be adjusted in the field. Only factory trained service technicians should attempt
to adjust any of the potentiometers on the board. If it becomes necessary to return a servo driver
board to the factory, the matching galvanometer and mirror should be returned along with it. Any
unauthorized attempt to adjust the servo by an untrained individual could result in serious damage to
the scanner, mirror and electronics.
CAUTION
Galvanometer bearings are delicate and prone to damage if not handled with care. Never apply
excessive lateral or radial force to the galvanometer rotor. Dropping the galvanometer could damage
the rotor, bearings, or position detector.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 4: Quick Connect Guide
Page 6 MSTN000987-D02
Chapter 4 Quick Connect Guide
The instructions below will serve as a quick connect guide. Before connecting the servo drives, please read Chapter
2 and refer to the servo driver manual for the additional information and instructions.
•Set your dual voltage supply to ±15 V input before connecting the galvanometer power cables. The servo
drive accepts command inputs within the range of ±5 V. Inputs outside of this voltage range may damage
hardware.
•After adjusting the power supplies, turn them off before making any connections to the servo drive(s).
•The servo drive(s) should be properly mounted to a sufficient heat sink.
•Galvanometers should be mounted properly to avoid mirror collisions.
•Galvanometers should be electrically isolated from the mounting chassis with 0.002" plastic insulation.
•Connect the Position Detector Cable from the Galvanometer Position Detector Connector (white, 4 Pin) to
the Servo Driver Board (J1). Repeat if there is more than one Galvanometer.
•Connect the Scanner Drive Coil Cable from the Galvanometer Drive Coil Connector (black, 3 Pin) to the
Servo Driver Board (J6). Repeat if there is more than one Galvanometer.
•Connect the Power Cable(s) from the Power Supply to the Servo Driver Board(s) (J7).
•Connect the Command Input Cable(s) (black, 4 Pin) from the function generator or host system to the servo
drive board(s) (J3).
Note: Do not, under any circumstances, remove the mirror from the galvanometer. Removing and re-
mounting the mirror changes the resonant frequency of the unit and requires re-tuning before operation.
Failure to re-tune units after mirror changes can result in hardware damage. If you need to remove the
mirror in order to mount your galvanometer, please contact Thorlabs Tech Support for guidance.
Note: For systems using more than one galvanometer and servo amplifier, the galvanometer is match-tuned
to a specific servo amplifier. The units are not interchangeable.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 5: Specifications
Rev B, February 9, 2022 Page 7
Chapter 5 Specifications
5.1. Galvo Scanner Specs
Item # Prefix
QS30
QS45
Max Beam Diameter
30 mm
45 mm
Mirror Substrate
Fused Silica
Silicon Carbide
Step Response Time (0.4° Optical)
1200 µs
1200 µs
Mechanical & Electrical Specifications
Rated Excursion
±22.5° Opticala
Rotor Inertial Load
Recommended
5.1 g·cm2
Max
25 g·cm2
Torque Constant
280 000 dyne·cm/A
Coil Resistance
5.8 Ω
Coil Inductance
450 µH @ 1 kHz
Position Detector
Type
Capacitive
Linearity
>99.9%
Gain Drift
50 ppm/°C
Offset Drift
40 µrad/°C
Repeatability
15 µrad
Output Signal (Typ.)
Differential Mode
40 µA/° Optical
Common Mode
2100 µA
Supply Current
10 - 20 mA
General Specifications
Operating Temperature
0 to 40 °C (Non-Condensing)
Storage Temperature
-10 to 50 °C
Servo Shaft Size
Ø30.5 mm x 30 mm
a. The optical angle is 2x the mechanical angle.
5.2. Mirror Coating Specs
Item # Suffix
-AG
-Y1
-CD
Coating Type
Protected Silver
Hard Dielectric for
Nd:YAG Laser
Fundamental
Dielectric on Metal
for CO2Laser
Absolute Reflectance
≥92% (450 - 500 nm)
≥94.5% (500 - 2000 nm)
≥98% (2 - 10.6 µm)
≥98% (1064 nm)
≥80% (633 nm)
≥99.5% (10.64 µm)
≥80% (633 nm)
Surface Quality
(Scratch-Dig)
40-20
40-20
40-20
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 6: Connectors
Page 8 MSTN000987-D02
Chapter 6 Connectors
There are two connectors on the QS30 and QS45 series galvo scanners. The four-pin connector carries the two
differential position detector signals (ib and ia), the AGC voltage (Oscillator Power), and ground. These signals
connect to the position detector connector on the servo drive board (see servo drive manual for more details). The
3-pin connector carries the two motor drive signals and ground. These signals connect to the servo driver’s motor
drive connector.
NOTE: Due to the highly sensitive capacitive detector in these galvanometers, an electrical isolative layer must be
added between the galvanometer and the mounting chassis. The galvanometer is anodized, which does provide
electrical isolation, however, if the surface is scratched, the insulation properties of this coating may fail. It is
recommended that a thin layer of Kapton or Mylar tape be applied to insulate the galvanometer from the mounting
chassis to prevent a ground loop and noise on the position signals.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 7: Heat Sink Requirements
Rev B, February 9, 2022 Page 9
Chapter 7 Heat Sink Requirements
CAUTION
The servo driver board MUST be attached to an additional heat sink before applying power. Failure to
provide proper heat sinking could result in damaged components and void the manufacturer’s
warranty.
These galvanometers typically do not require special heat sinking. Under most operating conditions, the
galvanometer’s motor will radially transfer its heat from the motor to the surrounding air. The galvanometers are
mounted by clamping in the motor section such that heat generated by the galvanometer motor does not cause
thermal drift in the position detector.
Temperature changes in the galvanometer environment can cause small amounts of drift in the galvanometer’s
position (see specifications).
Rigorous operation generates more heat than gentle operation and therefore causes a greater amount of drift in the
mirror position. Thus it is recommended that the galvanometer(s) be operated at the most rigorous level required
by the user’s application. This will ensure that the drift remains a constant offset over the course of operation.
Monitor the temperature of the galvanometer on the mid section of the galvanometer stator. The stator chassis
temperature of the galvanometer should not exceed 45 °C. If the operating temperature of the galvanometer
exceeds this temperature, additional heat sink capacity will be required. This can be accomplished by blowing
cool air across the motor or by clamping additional heat sinking material to the motor chassis.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 8: Mounting Requirements
Page 10 MSTN000987-D02
Chapter 8 Mounting Requirements
The diagram below shows the mounting surface of the galvo. Chassis isolation is usually done with a thin layer of
Kapton or Mylar tape wrapped carefully around the mounting area of the galvanometer.
The galvanometers should be mounted in a C-type compression clamp built into a rigid structure. The mounting
material most commonly used is aluminum.
CAUTION
Do not over-torque the mount or else damage to the galvanometer may occur.
CAUTION
The QS30 and QS45 galvos have a sensitive capacitive detector, which provides a highly accurate
position signal and an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. Failure to isolate the position detector from
chassis could result in a ground loop and a noisy position signal. The galvo should be electrically
isolated from chassis ground.
Chassis isolation is usually done with a single layer of 0.002" plastic insulation wrapped carefully around the
mounting area of the galvanometer. Only one layer should be used and it should be applied neatly without
wrinkles. The galvanometer is coated with an insulation layer of anodization, however, a scratch in the surface
can create a ground path to the chassis resulting in poor position detector performance.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 9: Thermal Drift Reduction
Rev B, February 9, 2022 Page 11
Chapter 9 Thermal Drift Reduction
All galvanometers are influenced by changes in the thermal environment. The effect is noticed by drift on the zero
and gain of the position detector. The galvanometers are inherently superior in performance due to carefully
selected electrical components and the thermal insulation between motor stator and position detector. Further
thermal drift reduction can be achieved by controlling the temperature in the environment of the position detector.
The idea is to control the temperature of the galvanometer mount.
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 10: Limited Warranty
Page 12 MSTN000987-D02
Chapter 10 Limited Warranty
Thorlabs warrants material and production of the device, excluding the mirror coatings, for a period of 24 months
starting with the date of shipment in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Thorlabs’
General Terms and Conditions of Sale, which can be found at:
https://www.thorlabs.com/Images/PDF/LG-PO-001_Thorlabs_terms_and_%20agreements.pdf
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 11: Regulatory
Rev B, February 9, 2022 Page 13
Chapter 11 Regulatory
As required by the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) of the European Community and
the corresponding national laws, Thorlabs offers all end users in the EC the possibility to return “end of life” units
without incurring disposal charges.
•This offer is valid for Thorlabs electrical and electronic equipment:
•Sold after August 13, 2005
•Marked correspondingly with the crossed out “wheelie bin” logo (see right)
•Sold to a company or institute within the EC
•Currently owned by a company or institute within the EC
•Still complete, not disassembled and not contaminated
As the WEEE directive applies to self-contained operational electrical and electronic products, this end of life take
back service does not refer to other Thorlabs products, such as:
•Pure OEM products, that means assemblies to be built into a unit by the user (e. g. OEM laser driver cards)
•Components
•Mechanics and optics
•Left over parts of units disassembled by the user (PCB’s, housings etc.).
If you wish to return a Thorlabs unit for waste recovery, please contact Thorlabs or your nearest dealer for further
information.
Waste Treatment is Your Own Responsibility
If you do not return an “end of life” unit to Thorlabs, you must hand it to a company specialized in waste recovery.
Do not dispose of the unit in a litter bin or at a public waste disposal site.
Ecological Background
It is well known that WEEE pollutes the environment by releasing toxic products during decomposition. The aim of
the European RoHS directive is to reduce the content of toxic substances in electronic products in the future.
The intent of the WEEE directive is to enforce the recycling of WEEE. A controlled recycling of end of life products
will thereby avoid negative impacts on the environment.
Wheelie Bin Logo
QS30 & QS45 Series Galvo Scanners Chapter 12: Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts
Page 14 MSTN000987-D02
Chapter 12 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts
For technical support or sales inquiries, please visit us at www.thorlabs.com/contact for our most up-to-date
contact information.
Scandinavia
Thorlabs Sweden AB
scandinavia@thorlabs.com
www.thorlabs.com
This manual suits for next models
1
Table of contents
Other THORLABS Scanner manuals
