THORLABS TXP Series User manual

Operation Manual
Thorlabs TXP Series
Laser Current and Temperature Controller
ITC5000
2004

Version: 2.10
Date: 11-Oct-04
Copyright©2004, Thorlabs GmbH

Contents Page
1General description 1
1.1 Safety 1
1.2 Warranty 2
1.3 Features 3
1.3.1 Safety measures for the laser diode and the TEC element 3
1.3.2 Ordering Codes: 4
1.3.3 General functions 5
1.4 Technical data ITC5000 Series 6
1.4.1 Technical Data ITC5022 8
1.4.2 Technical Data ITC5052 9
1.4.3 Technical Data ITC5102 10
1.5 Operating elements at the front of the card 11
1.6 Installing and removing cards 11
1.7 Connecting components 12
1.7.1 Pin assignment ITC5xxx 13
1.7.2 Connecting the Laser diode 15
1.7.3 Connecting the Monitor diode 16
1.7.4 Connecting interlock and status LED 17
1.7.5 Connecting the thermistor 18
1.7.6 Connecting the TEC element 19
2Getting Started 20
2.1 Preconditions 20
2.2 The Graphics User Interface (GUI) 21
2.2.1 Start the GUI 21
2.2.2 Set limit values 24
2.2.3 Set the Laser- and Photodiode polarities and the operating mode 25
2.2.4 Change the temperature control Settings 26
3List of all Operating items 28
3.1 Operating elements in the main window 28
3.1.1 Select the Display Variables 29
3.1.2 Set the limit values 30
3.1.3 PID Setup 30
3.1.4 Modulation setup 32
3.1.5 Switching ON and OFF 33
3.1.6 The information field 33
3.1.7 The Status messages field 34

3.2 Menu items 35
3.2.1 The ‘File’ menu 35
3.2.2 The ‘Connection’ menu 35
3.2.3 The ‘Setup’ menu 36
3.2.4 The cards menu 40
3.2.5 The ‘Preferences’ menu 40
4Service and Maintenance 43
4.1 Troubleshooting 43
4.2 Service 44
5Listings 45
5.1 List of Acronyms 45
5.2 List of figures 46
5.3 List of possible status messages 47
5.4 Addresses 48

We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application in the
field of optical measurement technique. To help us to come up to your
expectations and develop 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
This part of the instruction manual contains every specific information on how to
handle and use a ITC5000 mainframe. A general description is followed by
explanations of how to operate the unit remotely.
Attention
This manual contains “WARNINGS” and “ATTENTION” label in this
form, to indicate dangers for persons or possible damage of equip-
ment.
Please read these advises carefully!

1.1 Safety
ITC5000 / page 1
1 General description
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.
Laser modules or coding sockets may only be installed or removed
with the corresponding diode controller switched off.
Modern electronics and laser diodes mostly are sensitive to electro-
static discharges. Please take precaution to discharge your body
before changing cards or lasers and apply the general rules for
handling MOS devices!
This precision device is only dispatchable if duly packed into the
complete original packaging including the plastic form parts. If
necessary, ask for a replacement package.
 Attention 
Laser modules which you use with the ITC5000 can deliver up to
several 100mW of (maybe) invisible laser radiation!
When operated incorrectly, this can cause severe damage to your
eyes and health!
Be sure to pay strict attention to the safety recommendations of the
appropriate laser safety class!
This laser safety class should be marked on your laser module.

1.2 Warranty
ITC5000 / page 2
1.2 Warranty
Thorlabs GmbH warrants material and production of the ITC5000 for a period of 24
months starting with the date of shipment. During this warranty period Thorlabs
GmbH will see to defaults by repair or by exchange if these are entitled to warranty.
For warranty repairs or service the unit must be sent back to Thorlabs GmbH
(Germany)or to a place determined by Thorlabs GmbH . The customer will carry the
shipping costs to Thorlabs GmbH , in case of warranty repairs Thorlabs GmbH will
carry the shipping costs back to the customer.
If no warranty repair is applicable the customer also has to carry the costs for back
shipment.
In case of shipment from outside EU duties, taxes etc. which should arise have to be
carried by the customer.
Thorlabs GmbH warrants the hard- and software determined by Thorlabs GmbH for
this unit to operate fault-free provided that they are handled according to our
requirements. However, Thorlabs GmbH does not warrant a faulty free and
uninterrupted operation of the unit, of the soft- or firmware for special applications nor
this instruction manual to be error free. Thorlabs GmbH is not liable for consequen-
tial damages.
Restriction of warranty
The warranty mentioned before does not cover errors and defects being the result of
improper treatment, software or interface not supplied by us, modification, misuse or
operation outside the defined ambient conditions stated by us or unauthorized
maintenance.
Further claims will not be consented to and will not be acknowledged. Thorlabs
GmbH does explicitly not warrant the usability or the economical use for certain
cases of application.
Thorlabs GmbH reserves the right to change this instruction manual or the technical
data of the described unit at any time.

1.3 Features
ITC5000 / page 3
1.3 Features
1.3.1 Safety measures for the laser diode and the TEC element
To protect the connected laser diodes and the TEC elements the combi controller
ITC5xxx contains the following protection circuits:
•Softstart when switching on the laser diode current
Protection against capacitive and inductive parasitic elements (switching peaks).
•Software limit for the injection current and the TEC element in all operating
modes
Protection against thermal destruction of the devices.
•Interruption control of the connection cable to the laser diode (interlock)
Protection against accidental operation.
•Contact protection of the laser diode (open circuit)
Protection against cable damage or bad contact.
•Electronic short-circuit switch for the laser diode
Protection against static discharge when touching the switched off laser.
•Protection of the sensor
Protection against the use of an wrong temperature sensor / protection against line
interruption to the temperature sensor.
•Separate on and off function for each module
Protection against operating errors.
•Separate over-temperature protection for each module
Protection against thermal failure of the module.
•Control LED for the laser and/or TEC current active

1.3 Features
ITC5000 / page 4
•Mains filter
Protection against line transients and interferences.
•Line failure protection
In case of line failure/line damage the combi module must explicitly be switched on
anew since it cannot be taken for granted that all components of the measurement
setup are still working faultlessly.
•Action check
After power up the combi modules are in LASER OFF mode.
•LabVIEW®- and LabWindows/CVI®-driver
For the TXP-series cards Thorlabs supplies LabVIEW®- and
LabWindows/CVI®-drivers for MS Windows 32, MSVC and Borland-C.
.Please refer to our homepage for the latest driver updates.
http://www.thorlabs.com
1.3.2 Ordering Codes:
ITC5022 ± 200 mA module with 15-pin D-Sub connector
ITC5052 ± 500 mA module with 15-pin D-Sub connector
ITC5102 ± 1 A module with 15-pin D-Sub connector

1.3 Features
ITC5000 / page 5
1.3.3 General functions
The combi modules ITC5xxx are bipolar current sources for laser diodes combined
with a thermoelectric controller. The different module types operate the same way,
they only differ in maximum current, resolution and accuracy.
The combi modules ITC5xxx contain a transimpedance amplifier input for the monitor
diode (input impedance 0 Ω). Both polarities of the monitor diode are allowed. The
monitor diode may be operated either photovoltaic (without bias voltage) or
photoconductive, i.e. with bias voltage.
With the modules ITC5xxx, the laser diode current in constant current mode, the
monitor diode current in constant power mode, and temperature or thermistor
resistance are set with a resolution of 16 bit.
The limit values for the laser diode current (software limit), the monitor diode current
(limiting the optical output power) and the limit value for the TEC current (software
limit) are set with a resolution of 12 bit. The monitor diode current, the actual
temperature and actual resistance are read back with 16 bit, the laser diode current,
laser diode voltage, the limit for the laser diode current (hardware limit), the TEC
current and TEC voltage with 15 bit plus sign.
The P-, I- and D-share of the analog control loop are set via three independent 12 bit
D/A converters.

1.4 Technical data ITC5000 Series
ITC5000 / page 6
1.4 Technical data ITC5000 Series
(All technical data are valid at 23 ± 5°C and 45 ±15% humidity)
Common technical data:
Safety functions Laser Diode:
Softstart
Short Circuit when off
Laser current limit
Global interlock
Individual Interlock
Switch off when open
Overtemperature protection
Temperature window operation
Safety functions TEC:
Compliance voltage warning
TEC Current-limit
Switch off with no sensor
Laser-Voltage Measurement
Measurement Principle 4-Wire
Measurement Range 0 … 4 V
Resolution 0.15 mV
Accuracy ±5 mV
Laser Power Control
Photo Current control range 10 µA … 5 mA
Resolution 0.1 µA
Accuracy ±0.1 % (2 µA)
Temperature Control
Control Range -1.5 A … +1.5 A
Compliance Voltage > 3.5 V
Maximum Output Power 5.25 W
Measurement Resolution ITEC 0.06 mA
Measurement Range UTEC - 4 … +4 V
Measurement Resolution UTEC 0.15 mV
Noise and Ripple (typ.) < 1 mA

1.4 Technical data ITC5000 Series
ITC5000 / page 7
TEC Current Limit
Adjustment Range 0 … > 1.5 A
Resolution 0.5 mA
Accuracy ± 0.02 A
Thermistor Sensor
Operating Range 0.2 … 40 kΩ
Resolution 0.8 Ω
Accuracy ± 10 Ω
Stability (60 min) 1 Ω
Control Loop
Digitally controlled analog PID; setting resolution 12 Bit
Temperature Window
Adjustment range 0.01 … 2 kΩ
Internal Modulation
Waveform Sine
Square
Triangle
Frequency 0.02 … 20 kHz
Card
Operating temperature 0 … +40 °C
Width 1 Slot
Warm-up time < 10 min
Storage temperature - 40 … + 70 °C
Dimensions(W x H x D) 25 x 130 x 270 mm3
Weight 675 g

1.4 Technical data ITC5000 Series
ITC5000 / page 8
1.4.1 Technical Data ITC5022
Laser Current Range 0 … > 200 mA
Compliance Voltage > 2.5 V
Setting Resolution 4 µA
Accuracy ± 0.05 % (100 µA)
Noise < 2µA
Ripple < 0.5 µA
Transients (µP) < 15 µA
Transients (other) 200 µA
Drift (15 sec) < 1µA
Drift (60 min) < 1.5 µA
Drift (24 h) < 2 µA
Temperature Coefficient < 50 ppm / °C
Current Limit Range 0 … > 200 mA
Resolution 50 µA
Accuracy ± 200 µA

1.4 Technical data ITC5000 Series
ITC5000 / page 9
1.4.2 Technical Data ITC5052
Laser Current Range 0 … > 500 mA
Compliance Voltage > 2.5 V
Setting Resolution 8 µA
Accuracy ±0.05 % (0.25 mA)
Noise < 5 µA
Ripple < 0.5 µA
Transients (µP) < 30 µA
Transients (other) 500 µA
Drift (15 sec) < 1 µA
Drift (60 min) < 2 µA
Drift (24 h) < 4 µA
Temperature Coefficient < 50 ppm / °C
Current Limit Range 0 … >500 mA
Resolution 125 µA
Accuracy ±500 µA

1.4 Technical data ITC5000 Series
ITC5000 / page 10
1.4.3 Technical Data ITC5102
Laser Current Range 0 … > 1 A
Compliance Voltage > 2.5 V
Setting Resolution 20 µA
Accuracy ±0.1 % (1 mA)
Noise < 10 µA
Ripple < 0.5 µA
Transients (µP) < 50 µA
Transients (other) 1 mA
Drift (15 sec) < 2 µA
Drift (60 min) < 4 µA
Drift (24 h) < 8 µA
Temperature Coefficient < 50 ppm / °C
Current Limit Range > 0 … 1 A
Resolution 250 µA
Accuracy ±2 mA

1.5 Operating elements at the front of the card
ITC5000 / page 11
1.5 Operating elements at the front of the card
1.6 Installing and removing cards
The Thorlabs TXP series mainframes are ‘Hot-Plug capable’, that means you do not
have to switch off the mainframe while exchanging cards:
•Loosen the two mounting screws on top and below the ejector handle
•Push the red button of the ejector handle and flip down the black ejector
handle
This pulls out the card from its internal plug.
You can now remove the card. If you do not insert another card, please close the
empty slot with a blind module to maintain a proper cooling air flow inside of the unit.
Re-tighten the two screws.
Ejector handle
(Hot Plug Capability)
15-Pin D-SUB connector
for laser diode, monitor diode,
TEC and thermistor connection
Modulation input
LED’s for:
•
Module selected
• Laser Current ON
• TEC Current ON
• Error occurred
Mounting screw
Mounting screw

1.7 Connecting components
ITC5000 / page 12
1.7 Connecting components
Mostly the following components are installed together with the laser:
•Laser diode
•Monitor diode
•TEC element for chip temperature control
•Temperature sensor (thermistor)
The laser diode and the TEC element are always sourced relative to ground by the
combi module.
This is of considerable advantage regarding the safety of devices and stability of
currents.
The monitor diode input is a trans-impedance amplifier input with virtual ground (input
impedance 0Ω).
The monitor diode input can be operated without or with bias voltage (0 V...4 V). The
polarity for the monitor diode must be set correspondingly.
A missing thermistor is detected by the ITC5xxx.

1.7 Connecting components
ITC5000 / page 13
1.7.1 Pin assignment ITC5xxx
Figure 1 ITC5xxx-15pin D-SUB I/O jack (female)
PIN Name Function
8 TEC- TEC minus (ground)
7 TEC + TEC plus
6 UTEC + TEC Voltage measurement +
13 UTEC - TEC Voltage measurement -
14 TH- Thermistor ground
15 TH+ Thermistor
11 LDA Laser diode anode
3 LGND Laser diode ground
10 LDK Laser diode cathode
2 PD_GND Monitor diode ground / Bias ground
4 PD_BIAS Monitor diode anode or cathode, Bias out
9 ULD – Laser diode voltage measurement
12 ULD + Laser diode voltage measurement
1 LED_ILK Interlock / Status LED
5 DGNDInterlock ground
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8
9-10-11-12-13-14-15

1.7 Connecting components
ITC5000 / page 14
We recommend to use separate lines drilled in pairs (twisted pair) in a common
shield for laser diode current, monitor diode current, TEC voltage and laser voltage
measurement. The shield has to be connected to ground (pin 3).
If an external monitor diode is used, it must be connected by a coaxial cable with the
outer conductor (shield) to pin 2 and the inner conductor to pin 4.
NOTE
To operate the ITC5000 card, the global interlock at the rear panel of the
TXP must be closed!