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12

LDC200C Series

3.1.2   LD and PD polarities

Connect laser and photodiode to the LDC200C Series controller as shown below.

The  ground  connection  of  the  laser  diode  (pin  3)  can  be  connected  to  the  anode  of  the
photodiode  (pin  4), or to  the  cathode  of  the  photodiode  (pin  2). This connection  should  be  as
close as possible to the laser diode to avoid measurement errors.

If the selected polarity (key "LD POL" 

F23

) and the pin connection of the laser diode do not

match, no current is flowing through the laser diode.

The  laser  diode  is  always  sourced  with  respect  to  ground.  Compared  to  a  floating  ground
scheme,  the  advantages  of  this  operation  mode  are  higher  safety  for  the  laser  diode,  better
stability of the laser current and less introduced interferences.

Prior to turning on the laser current, the correct polarity of the laser diode must be selected:

·

Make sure the laser is switched off (key “LASER ON” F8).

·

Select the required polarity by pressing the key  "LD POL" (F23).

·

For laser diodes with a built-in monitor diode the common pin of laser diode and
photodiode is the ground pin.

·

The selected polarity of the output is indicated by the LED "AG" (F19) or "CG" (F20).

If  the  laser diode  was connected  correctly (see  above) but the  polarity of  the  laser  diode  was
selected  wrong with  the  key “LD POL” (F23),  an  “OPEN”  error  will  be  indicated  (LED  “OPEN”
F4). 

After  pressing  "LASER  ON"  (F8)  the  LED  "OPEN"  (F4)  extinguishes  and  the  output  can  be
switched on by pressing "LASER ON" (F8) again.

Biasing the photodiode

If  the  photodiode  shall be  operated  with  bias voltage, a  battery can  be  connected  in  series  to
the photodiode. 

If the photodiode is of AG polarity, connect the positive terminal of the battery to the cathode of
the photodiode, and the negative terminal of the battery to pin 2.

If the photodiode is of CG polarity, connect the negative terminal of the battery to the anode of
the photodiode, and the positive terminal of the battery to pin 4.

9

Summary of Contents for LDC200C series

Page 1: ...Laser Diode Controller LDC200C Series Operation Manual 2015 ...

Page 2: ...Version Date 6 3 02 Jul 2015 Copyright 2015 Thorlabs ...

Page 3: ... 1 4 Analog Out 14 3 2 Setting the Current Limit 14 3 3 Constant Current Mode CC 15 3 4 Constant Power Mode CP 16 3 5 Calibration of Optical Power Display 17 3 6 External Analog Modulation 17 3 7 Overtemperature Protection 18 3 8 Disabling the Beeper 18 3 9 Remote Operation 4 Maintenance and Service 20 20 4 1 Line Voltage Setting 21 4 2 Replacing Mains Fuses 22 4 3 Troubleshooting 5 Appendix 24 24...

Page 4: ...33 5 3 Warranty 34 5 4 Copyright and Exclusion of Reliability 35 5 5 Thorlabs End of Life Policy WEEE 36 5 6 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ...

Page 5: ...nternational 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 these advices carefully This manual also contains NOTES and HINTS written in this form Attention Paragraphs preceeded by...

Page 6: ... pin D SUB jack at the rear of the unit The output for the laser diode and the input for the photodiode are bipolar thus all polarities of commercial available laser diodes can be connected The injection current or the optical output power of the laser diode can be modulated applying a modulation signal to the input at the rear of the unit A voltage proportional to the laser diode current is provi...

Page 7: ...y switch can be connected Application of external automatic protection and alerting equipment External LED to indicate Laser ON The laser can only be switched on with the interlock input closed If the interlock contact is opened during operation even for a very short time the output is switched off immediately and can be switched on manually only 1 2 Safety Attention All statements regarding safet...

Page 8: ...e Canadian Interference Causing Equipment Standard ICES 003 for digital apparatus These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications However th...

Page 9: ...ode controller current range 0 2 A 4 V LDC240C Laser diode controller current range 0 4 A 5 V Shielded cable CAB400 Cable to connect the LDC200C Series controller to a Thorlabs Laser Diode Mount included Laser diode mounts for different laser diode packages TCLDM9 Temperature controlled laser diode mount for 3 and 4 pin TO18 packages 9 mm CD 5 6 mm CD LDM21 Miniature sized temperature controlled l...

Page 10: ...tor according to ordering country 3 1 operation manual 4 1 connection cable CAB400 2 2 Preparation Prior to operate a LDC200C Series controller check if the set line voltage matches with your local power supply and if the appropriate fuses are inserted See sections Line Voltage Setting and Replacing the Mains Fuses Connect the unit to the power line using the supplied cable Turn the unit on by pre...

Page 11: ...urrent limit F12 CAL Potentiometer for calibrating the power display F13 LED ILD Display shows the laser current F14 LED PLD Display shows the optical power F15 LED IPD Display shows the photodiode current F16 LED ILIM Display shows the current limit F17 Key DOWN Select the parameter to be displayed F18 Key UP Select the parameter to be displayed F19 LED AG Selected laser polarity anode grounded F...

Page 12: ... to switching on your LDC200C Series controller please make sure that the line voltage setting corresponds to your mains voltage Mismatching may lead to damage of the controller Turn the unit on by pressing the line switch F10 After switching on the unit the LED display F1 and a LED indicating the selected measurement value F13 F16 light up otherwise please check the line voltage and the mains fus...

Page 13: ... be set using the two slide switches at the laser mount Please refer to the individual operation manual of the laser diode mount If other laser diode fixtures are used connect the laser diode and if provided the photodiode using shielded cables to LD OUT R6 according to the pin assignment as shown below Pin assignment of the LD OUT jack female rear panel view Pin Connection Interlock open circuit ...

Page 14: ...Make sure the laser is switched off key LASER ON F8 Select the required polarity by pressing the key LD POL F23 For laser diodes with a built in monitor diode the common pin of laser diode and photodiode is the ground pin The selected polarity of the output is indicated by the LED AG F19 or CG F20 If the laser diode was connected correctly see above but the polarity of the laser diode was selected...

Page 15: ...put is disabled and the LED OPEN F4 lights up Pin 1 and pin 5 must be connected externally by a short cut wire by a circuit total resistance 430 W or by a LED anode to pin 1 cathode to pin 5 connect in parallel resistor R 1 kW A connected LED lights up when the laser current is switched on LASER ON Note Do not use blue LED due to their high forward voltage Thorlabs Laser Diode Mounts use the inter...

Page 16: ...driver to set the desired current with the potentiometer LIM I F11 Note The current limit can be displayed at any time by selecting the parameter ILIM If the laser current reaches it s limit during operation the LED LIMIT F5 lights up and a short beep alerts about that The current limit can also be adjusted when the output is switched on Avoid any adjustments when the LED LIMIT F5 lights up 3 3 Co...

Page 17: ... Power Mode CP If the laser includes a photodiode also known as monitor diode the laser can be operated also in constant power mode In contrast to the constant current mode here the photodiode current is kept constant by controlling the laser injection current Start operating the LDC2xxC in constant current mode refer to chapter 3 4 Select the display IPD with the key F17 or F18 Check whether an a...

Page 18: ...ent knob F9 can be set in order to ease the setting of the operating point in constant power mode even with low photodiode current The photodiode current range depends on the type of the LDC2xxC controller LDC200CV 0 6 mA to 2 mA LDC201CU LDC202C LDC205C 3 mA to 10 mA LDC210C LDC220C LDC240C 6 mA to 20 mA Turn the potentiometer PD RANGE F25 completely counter clockwise Turn the adjust knob F9 comp...

Page 19: ...e with ILD MAX Maximum laser current e g 500 mA for LDC205C IPD MAX Max photodiode current e g 10 mA for LDC205C see Control Ranges in Technical Data ILD SET or IPD SET value set with knob F9 UMOD voltage at input MOD IN R2 Start operation in constant current or constant power mode refer to chapter 3 4 or 3 5 and adjust the desired set value with the knob F9 Connect the modulation source to the ja...

Page 20: ...ction Interlock the output can be switched off remotely at any time Note The interlock is usable only for switching off After the interlock path was interrupted the LDC200C Series Controller can be switched on again only manually provided the Interlock is closed Setting the laser diode current The analog modulation input MOD IN input R2 is DC coupled the input voltage ranges from 10V to 10V The in...

Page 21: ...roportional to the actual laser current The output voltage ranges from 0 10 V with cathode grounded 0 10 V with anode grounded Load resistance should be 10 kW The conversion coefficient for this output is the multiplicative inverse of kMOD kCTL OUT 10V Imax V mA Note All operating elements of the LDC2xxC are active at any time For remote operation make sure that the manual settings are not changed...

Page 22: ...perates at fixed line voltages of 100 V 15 10 90 V 115 V 115 V 15 10 104 V 132 V 230 V 15 10 207 V 264 V line frequency 50 60 Hz The line voltage setting can be changed from the rear without opening the unit 1 Turn off the controller and disconnect the mains cable 2 The fuse holder R10 is located below the 3 pole power connector of the mains jack R9 Release the fuse holder by pressing its plastic ...

Page 23: ...d on the right and left side of the holder and must be pressed towards the center 3 Replace the defective fuses R11 and press in the fuse holder until locked on both sides Take care to maintain the correct rotation of the white line voltage indicator switch R8 which contains the left fuse and is plugged into the fuse holder The appropriate line voltage marking must be visible in the cutout R12 of ...

Page 24: ...ame must light up o Is the current limit ILIM set to 0 Adjust the hardware limit I LIM potentiometer on the front panel to an appropriate value o Is the laser diode installed properly Check the connection cable o Is the polarity of the laser diode set correctly If not change the polarity of the diode or select on the LDC2xxC the opposite polarity o Is the photodiode connected properly Check the co...

Page 25: ...r needs to be returned to Thorlabs for maintenance Please contact Thorlabs with the information of the error code number and the serial number of your LDC200C Series Controller in order to receive the RMA Return Material Authorization instructions accordingly If you don t find the error source by means of the trouble shooting list please contact Thorlabs for advise and or return instructions 36 36...

Page 26: ...round Connector 4mm Banana Jack Line Voltage 100 V 115 V 15 10 230 V Mains Supply Overvoltage Category II Cat II Line Frequency 50 to 60 Hz Operating Temperature Range 1 0 C to 40 C Storage Temperature Range 40 C to 70 C Relative Humidity Max 80 up to 31 C decreasing to 50 at 40 C Pollution Degree Indoor Use only 2 Operation Altitude 2000 m Warm up Time for Rated Accuracy 10 min Dimensions W x H x...

Page 27: ...t Setting Range 0 to 20 mA Resolution 1 µA Accuracy 50 µA Power Control Constant Power Mode Photo Current Control Range 5 µA to 2 mA Photo Current Resolution 0 1 µA Photo Current Accuracy 2 µA Analog Modulation Input Input Resistance 10 kW Small Signal 3dB Bandwidth CC Mode DC to 100 kHz Modulation Coefficient CC Mode 2 mA V 5 Modulation Coefficient CP Mode 0 2 mA V 5 Laser Current Monitor Output ...

Page 28: ...t Setting Range 0 to 100 mA Resolution 10 µA Accuracy 200 µA Power Control Constant Power Mode Photo Current Control Range 25 µA to 10 mA Photo Current Resolution 1 µA Photo Current Accuracy 10 µA Analog Modulation Input Input Resistance 10 kW Small Signal 3dB Bandwidth CC Mode DC to 0 2 kHz Modulation Coefficient CC Mode 10 mA V 5 Modulation Coefficient CP Mode 1 mA V 5 Laser Current Monitor Outp...

Page 29: ...t Setting Range 0 to 200 mA Resolution 10 µA Accuracy 500 µA Power Control Constant Power Mode Photo Current Control Range 25 µA to 10 mA Photo Current Resolution 1 µA Photo Current Accuracy 10 µA Analog Modulation Input Input Resistance 10 kW Small Signal 3dB Bandwidth CC Mode DC to 250 kHz Modulation Coefficient CC Mode 20 mA V 5 Modulation Coefficient CP Mode 1 mA V 5 Laser Current Monitor Outp...

Page 30: ...t Setting Range 0 to 500 mA Resolution 10 µA Accuracy 1 5 mA Power Control Constant Power Mode Photo Current Control Range 25 µA to 10 mA Photo Current Resolution 1 µA Photo Current Accuracy 10 µA Analog Modulation Input Input Resistance 10 kW Small Signal 3dB Bandwidth CC Mode DC to 150 kHz Modulation Coefficient CC Mode 50 mA V 5 Modulation Coefficient CP Mode 1 mA V 5 Laser Current Monitor Outp...

Page 31: ...etting Range 0 to 1 A Resolution 100 µA Accuracy 2 5 mA Power Control Constant Power Mode Photo Current Control Range 50 µA to 20 mA Photo Current Resolution 1 µA Photo Current Accuracy 20 µA Analog Modulation Input Input Resistance 10 kW Small Signal 3dB Bandwidth CC Mode DC to 100 kHz Modulation Coefficient CC Mode 100 mA V 5 Modulation Coefficient CP Mode 2 mA V 5 Laser Current Monitor Output L...

Page 32: ...it Setting Range 0 to 2 A Resolution 100 µA Accuracy 5 mA Power Control Constant Power Mode Photo Current Control Range 50 µA to 20 mA Photo Current Resolution 1 µA Photo Current Accuracy 20 µA Analog Modulation Input Input Resistance 10 kW Small Signal 3dB Bandwidth CC Mode DC to 50 kHz Modulation Coefficient CC Mode 200 mA V 5 Modulation Coefficient CP Mode 2 mA V 5 Laser Current Monitor Output ...

Page 33: ...etting Range 0 to 4 A Resolution 100 µA Accuracy 10 mA Power Control Constant Power Mode Photo Current Control Range 50 µA to 20 mA Photo Current Resolution 1 µA Photo Current Accuracy 20 µA Analog Modulation Input Input Resistance 10 kW Small Signal 3dB Bandwidth CC Mode DC to 30 kHz Modulation Coefficient CC Mode 400 mA V 5 Modulation Coefficient CP Mode 2 mA V 5 Laser Current Monitor Output Loa...

Page 34: ... 2015 Thorlabs 32 LDC200C Series 5 2 Declaration of Conformity ...

Page 35: ...and software determined by Thorlabs for this unit to operate fault free provided that they are handled according to our requirements However Thorlabs does not warrant a fault free and uninterrupted operation of the unit of the software or firmware for special applications nor this instruction manual to be error free Thorlabs is not liable for consequential damages Restriction of warranty The warra...

Page 36: ...of this product In no event shall any liability exceed the purchase price of the product Please note that the content of this User Manual is neither part of any previous or existing agreement promise representation or legal relationship nor an alteration or amendment thereof All obligations of Thorlabs result from the respective contract of sale which also includes the complete and exclusively app...

Page 37: ...ice 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 Waste treatment on your own responsibility If you do not return an end of life unit to Thorlabs you must hand it to a company specialized in w...

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