operating instructions user manual

OptiGrate Corp • 562 South Econ Circle • Oviedo, FL • Phone: (407) 542-7704 • Fax: (407) 542-7804 • w w w . O p t i G r a t e . c o m

Operating Instructions

&

User Manual

SHARK 30 W

Narrow Linewidth Laser System

OptiGrate Proprietary

Version X.X

Serial Number: LS-795-30W-XXXX

Serial Number: LS‐795‐30W‐XXXX

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OptiGrate Proprietary 2

Table of Contents

0.0 Introduction ....................................................................................... 3

1.0 System Description………..…………………………………………. 4

1.1 Voltage Requirements………………………………………………..4

2.0 Shipping Contents and Accessories .............................................. 5

3.0 Setup Procedures ............................................................................. 5

3.1 Chiller Connection ........................................................................... .7

3.2 Optical Connection…………………………………………………… .8

3.4 Software…….………………………….................................................9

3.4.1 Computer Requirements……………………………………………. ...9

3.4.2 Driver Installation…………………………………………………………9

3.4.3 Software Description…………………………………………………....9

4.0 Start-up Procedure…………………………………………………..…11

5.0 Shut-Down Procedure…………………………………………………12

6.0 Interlock…………………………………………………………………..12

7.0 Test Data………………………………………………………………....14


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0.0 INTRODUCTION Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping (SEOP) requires high power within the narrow absorption resonance of a Rubidium vapor. This SEOP laser system consists of two fiber coupled laser heads, mounted on a water cooled cold plate, a laser diode power supply, system chiller, temperature control unit, interface cables, as well as an intuitive software interface. Optical fiber delivery through a 600 m multimode fiber (NA = 0.22) is optional.

The compact high-power narrow-band laser module is based on a semiconductor laser diode bar where its original broad linewidth is narrowed by a highly resonant volume Bragg gratings recorded in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass.

Precise wavelength control and tuning are achieved by selecting and varying the temperature of this grating.

CAUTION: This device is classified as CLASS IV LASER that emits invisible laser radiation, which is extremely harmful. Serious injury may result if the laser is operated with an open enclosure, unplugged fiber, without all the safety interlocks, or used for any purpose beyond its design limit.

Read this operation manual carefully and make sure you are familiar with the applicable safety standards before operating the system. Always wear proper protective eyewear with side shields and an optical density OD>7. Avoid exposure to the beam and always wear skin protection. In case of fiber damage, invisible laser radiation can be emitted in ANY direction!

OptiGrate cannot accept any responsibility for injuries, damage, or malfunctions caused by failure to observe the instructions given in the operating manual and strict adherence to safety procedures specific to Class IV laser devises.

The laser has no interlock features and is intended for OEM purposes only. The user is responsible for proper usage and safety precautions.


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1.0 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION The laser system is shown in Figure 1. It consists of the optical laser head, a power supply

capable of delivering >50 A to the laser diode, a chiller rated for 400 W, and a separate

electronics rack that controls the temperatures inside the lasers and can be addressed

via software to allow thermal wavelength tuning.

1.1 VOLTAGE REQUIREMENT

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: In order to operate the laser system it is necessary to use Voltage converter from 220V to 110 V with a power >=3 kW.

Figure 1: Photograph of the complete laser system


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2.0 SHIPPING CONTENT AND ACCESSORIES

1 Laser head, mounted on shelf inside cabinet

Chiller

Temperature controller

Laser diode power supply

One 600 µm core diameter, 4m long optical fiber with SMA connector

CD with RS485 to USB converter drivers and Shark LSt Software

3.0 SETUP PROCEDURES

A schematic of the complete system setup is shown in the figure 2. Electrical and water

connections have been connected. Fiber connections have to be established before

the system can be operated. Otherwise, the laser heads will be completely damaged.

Please refer to this manual for details of all water, electrical, and optical connections.

Figure 2: Schematic of the system

Temperature Controller

TDK LambdaPower Supply48 A, 2 V max Chiller

watercurrent

Interlockcable

Interface cable

USB cable

PC

Output fiber


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Figure 3: System front view.

USB Cable

Main Power Switch

Figure 4: Photograph of the back panel.

Key switch

Fiber connection port

Chiller

Power supply

Emergency stop

Coolant fill port

Power indicator


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3.1 Chiller Connection The chiller needs to be filled with Distilled Water. Locate the “COOLANT FILL” port on the

chiller back as shown in Fig 3. Remove the red plug from the port. Use a funnel to fill the

water into the tank. Fill completely, to the top of the port. NOTE: The female drain fitting

includes a spring latch that must be depressed prior to engagement of the mate. Apply

power to the chiller module via the front panel “PUMP” switch for a short time only

(<5sec) until the tank has been topped several times and the water level remains full.

DO NOT RUN THE PUMP DRY! Verify the coolant connections do not leak. After the

coolant fill is complete, operate the chiller module for a minimum of 15 minutes to make

sure the tank remains stable and all the air is removed from the coolant lines. When the

tank is filled and flow verification is complete, install the “RED” plug back into the fill

port.

3.2 Optical Connection The laser system comes with a 4 m long armored fiber optic cable that is terminated

with high power SMA connectors. Carefully connect one end of the patch cord to the

output port of the laser head. Be careful not to use excessive force. The cable comes

clean and with protective caps. If the fiber gets contaminated, be sure to thoroughly

clean it before attaching it as dust particles can easily burn the end facets. Please note

that the fiber has a sensitive AR coating that may not be compromised during cleaning.

Figure 5: Photograph of the input fiber connector.


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3.3 Software In order to control the laser wavelength, it is necessary to install and run the

provided software. This section describes the installation and use of the

program.

3.4.1. Computer Requirements Please make sure your computer is PC compatible and meets minimum system

requirements below:

(1) Intel compatible 486DX4-100 MHz CPU or higher with USB ports.

(2) Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating system.

3.4.2. Driver Installation In order to set up communication, a virtual COM port needs to be installed.

Enter the Setup file folder located in the “USB485X-USB232” folder and execute

the USB_drv.exe automatic installation wizard program. When you click “Next”

the USB485× driver program will be installed automatically in your system. After

successful installation, the corresponding USB virtual serial port (virtual serial port

device (COMXX)) can be viewed in device manager.

The software is preconfigured to communicate to a COM port “COM8”. In order

to communicate to the laser heads, one should change the COM port number

for USB devise to COM8. To do so use the following links:

Windows 7: Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security; Click the “Device

Manager” button in the “System” section. The USB Serial Port (COMX) is in the

“Ports” section. To change the Port number right-click the USB Serial Device and

select Properties. Select the "Port Settings" Tab and click "Advanced".

Now you can select the Port Number you like to use. Select “COM8” and press

O’k.


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Windows 8: Press Start button -> Type in “Device

Manager” and press enter. The USB Serial Port (COMX) is

in the “Ports” section. To change the Port number right-

click the USB Serial Device and select Properties. Select

the "Port Settings" Tab and click "Advanced".


O’k.

Important: The USB cable from Control Box should be plugged in to the PC in

order to see “Port Settings”.

Windows XP: Start -> Control Panel -> System; Select the Hardware Tab and click

the Device Manager Button. The USB Serial Port (COMX) is in the “Ports” section.

To change the Port number right-click the USB Serial Device and select

Properties. Select the "Port Settings" Tab and click "Advanced".


Ok.

Depending on the software already installed on your computer you may need

to also install the appropriate VISA drivers from National instruments. The file

called visa441runtime.exe and is also on the CD. In addition you may need to

install the correct runtime engine. This file is called LVRTE86f1std.exe.

3.4.3 Software Description Select the program called Shark LS.exe on the desktop screen. The COM port is

automatically found. The actual temperatures will show on LD read and VBG read.

Always make sure that the water chiller is connected and ON before turning the

temperature controllers on.

Start Button


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Figure 6: Functional buttons and boxes on the SHARK LS software. 1. On-Off button; 2. Set Wavelength box; 3. Set Wavelength button; 4. Power consumption of TEC of Laser Diode; 5. Real time temperature of the Laser Diode; 6. Set temperature of the Laser Diode; 7. Power consumption of TEC of VBG; 8. Real time temperature of the VBG; 9. Set temperature of the VBG; 10. Offset.

Click on the power ON/OFF button as shown in fig. 6 to turn the TEC controllers in all

lasers on. The temperature of the volume Bragg gratings that determine the laser

wavelength as well as the laser diode temperatures are shown in real time. You are

now ready to change the laser wavelength. Just type in a new wavelength number

and click the WL sent button as shown in fig.6. The new temperature set points will

update and change to the new value. The time it takes for tuning will slightly depend

on the wavelength chosen and may be longer for the shortest wavelength values as

the TEC has to work harder.

Color background of VBG Read and LD Read boxes show green when the

temperatures have been stabilized. The wavelength calibration offset box is provided in

pm unit when it is necessary: offset range +/- 25 pm. Then click VBG Offset button to

store the parameter. To save the log data of all TEC parameters, click on Ext Log

(extension log) box as shown in fig.6.

To turn off the TEC power, click on the ON power button and then the warning question

will be shown as in the fig.7. Click “Yes” and the TEC power will be Off.

1

6

32

10 5 4

87 9


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NOTE: In case of unintentional closing program, all TEC power supplies are intentionally

ON for a safety of laser diodes. If a user would like to run the program again, a user can

click on SHARK LS.exe.

4.0 START UP PROCEDURE To run the laser system, please perform the following steps.

WARNING: It is very important to follow the order of steps! Failure to do so may

damage the laser. 1. Switch on the chiller, pump, and cool then set water temperature to 18oC and

wait about 10 minutes until the temperature has stabilized.

2. Switch on the electronics control box to turn on the TECs

3. Click on the SHARK LS software and make sure that all two TEC’s are

communicated by looking at real-time temperature reading and power OFF. If

the real time temperature does not read the actual temperature, the

communication connection is not properly established. PLEASE DO NOT RUN THE

SYSTEM. Contact OptiGrate.

4. Please click Ext Log for recording the operating parameters for understanding

the system performance.

5. On the SHARK LS software screen, clicking the ON button to turn the TEC

temperature control for the laser diode and the VBG ON. The ON power status

box must be green. If LD power and VBG power do not response, the TEC power

Figure 7: Turn-off warning


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supply may not properly installed. PLEASE DO NOT RUN THE SYSTEM. Contact

OptiGrate

6. Turn the front panel AC switch of the laser diode power supply to ON. Press

“OUT” button to enable the power supply.

7. Slowly increase the current to the laser diode to 48A and voltage should not be

more than 2 V. Add 10 A at a time and observe LD temperature stabilization in

the software window (see fig. 5). Make sure that the LD temperature indicator is

green and the LD temperature does not exceed 40°C at any time.

NOTE: Warranty will be voided if exceeding the operating current of 48 A.

8. Observe laser output.

5.0 SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE WARNING: It is very important to follow the order of steps! Failure to do so may damage

the laser.

1. Turn the current to the laser diode down to 0 A. Press “OUT” button to disable

power supply.

2. Using the software turn the TEC temperature controllers power off. Wait until the

zero number on LD and VBG power turn black color and then turn off software

3. Turn switch of TEC’s controller off.

4. Wait 10 minutes before shutting the chiller off.

6.0 INTERLOCK

The laser system (Power supply as well as TEC controller) is automatically shut down

when:

a) One of the 3 temperatures that are constantly monitored (VBG temperature, LD

temperature, and chassis temperature near the fiber coupling point) gets out of its

predetermined safety range. The laser system is equipped with an electrical

interlock that will shut the laser diode current down if any of the temperature sensors


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reads an out of range value. This can happen if water cooling has not been turned

on or any of the 2 TEC’s or TEC controllers have failed.

In this case the power supply will automatically reduce the diode current to 0A. When

the unit is shut-off by the interlock signal, the VOLTAGE display will show “SO” to indicate

the unit state. The SO function will be activated only when a transition from On to Off is

detected after applying AC power to the unit. After an On to Off transition it is

detected, the SO will Enable or Disable the power supply output according to the

interlock signal. If the alarm condition is no longer present, the current will return to its set

point.

b) An emergency shutdown of the laser system is done by an user by pushing the RED

button on the front panel of the TEC system control module.

When the unit is shut-off by the interlock signal, the VOLTAGE display will show “ENA” to

indicate the dry-contact is open. Safe Start mode-If the Enable/Disable fault condition

clears when units in safe start mode recovery is by pressing OUT button. Auto Restart

mode-The output will return back ON automatically when the Enable/Disable fault

conditions clear.


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7.0 TEST DATA

OUTPUT POWER OF THE LASER SYSTEM

Intentionally removed by OptiGrate

NOTE: Warranty will be voided if exceeding the operating current of 48 A.


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OUTPUT POWER STABILITY: < ±0.5%


NOTE: Maximum operating current is 48 A


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SIGNAL-TO NOISE RATIO: 17 dB



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WAVELENGTH TUNING: > 300 pm



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SPECTRAL LINEWIDTH: <50 pm


Note: Spectral width is <50 pm at all operating current.


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ENJOY

operating instructions user manual

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