The Safety and Warranty Information section provides details about cautionary
symbols used in the manual, safety markings used on the instrument, and
information about the Warranty including Customer Service contact information.
Throughout this manual, you will see the words Caution and Warning indicating
potentially dangerous or hazardous situations which, if not avoided, could result in
death, serious or minor injury, or damage to the product. Specifically:
Caution indicates a potentially hazardous situation which can result in minor or
moderate injury or damage to the product or equipment.
Warning indicates a potentially dangerous situation which can result in serious injury or
death.
WARNING
Visible and/or invisible laser radiation. Avoid direct exposure to the beam.
General Safety Considerations
If any of the following conditions exist, or are even suspected, do not use the
instrument until safe operation can be verified by trained service personnel:
• Visible damage
• Severe transport stress
• Prolonged storage under adverse conditions
• Failure to perform intended measurements or functions
If necessary, return the instrument to ILX Lightwave, or authorized local ILX
Lightwave distributor, for service or repair to ensure that safety features are
maintained (see the contact information on page xiii).
All instruments returned to ILX Lightwave are required to have a Return
Authorization Number assigned by an official representative of ILX Lightwave
Corporation. See Returning an Instrument on page xi for more information.
S
YMBOLS
This section describes the safety symbols and classifications.
Technical specifications including electrical ratings and weight are included within
the manual. See the Table of Contents to locate the specifications and other
product information. The following classifications are standard across all ILX
Lightwave products:
• Indoor use only
• Ordinary Protection: This product is NOT protected against the harmful ingress of moisture.
• Class I Equipment (grounded type)
• Mains supply voltage fluctuations are not to exceed ±10% of the nominal supply voltage.
• Pollution Degree II
• Installation (overvoltage) Category II for transient overvoltages
• Maximum Relative Humidity: <80% RH, non-condensing
• Operating temperature range of 0 °C to 40 °C
• Storage and transportation temperature of –40 °C to 70 °C
• Maximum altitude: 3000 m (9843 ft)
• This equipment is suitable for continuous operation.
Safety Marking Symbols
This section provides a description of the safety marking symbols that appear on
the instrument. These symbols provide information about potentially dangerous
situations which can result in death, injury, or damage to the instrument and other
components.
On: In position of a bistable push control.
The slash (I) only denotes that mains are on.
or
(I)
Earth
ground
Te r mi n a l
Protective
Conductor
Te r mi n a l
Alternating
current
Caution, hot
surface
Off: Out position of a bistable push control.
The circle (O) only denotes that mains are off.
or
(O)
ILX LIGHTWAVE CORPORATION warrants this instrument to be free from
defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date of
shipment. During the warranty period, ILX will repair or replace the unit, at our
option, without charge.
Visible and/or
invisible laser
radiation
Frame or
chassis
Te rm in a l
Limitations
This warranty does not apply to fuses, lamps, defects caused by abuse,
modifications, or to use of the product for which it was not intended.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including any
implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. ILX
Lightwave Corporation shall not be liable for any incidental, special, or
consequential damages.
If a problem occurs, please contact ILX Lightwave Corporation with the
instrument's serial number, and thoroughly describe the nature of the problem.
ReturninganInstrument
If an instrument is to be shipped to ILX Lightwave for repair or service, be sure to:
1Obtain a Return Authorization number (RA) from ILX Customer Service.
2Attach a tag to the instrument identifying the owner and indicating the required service or
repair. Include the instrument serial number from the rear panel of the instrument.
3Attach the anti-static protective caps that were shipped with the instrument and place the
4Place the instrument in the original packing container with at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) of
compressible packaging material. Shipping damage is not covered by this warranty.
5Secure the packing box with fiber reinforced strapping tape or metal bands.
6Send the instrument, transportation pre-paid, to ILX Lightwave. Clearly write the return
authorization number on the outside of the box and on the shipping paperwork. ILX
Lightwave recommends you insure the shipment.
If the original shipping container is not available, place your instrument in a
container with at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) of compressible packaging material on all
sides.
Repairs are made and the instrument returned transportation pre-paid. Repairs
are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty or for 90 days, whichever
is greater.
Claims for Shipping Damage
When you receive the instrument, inspect it immediately for any damage or
shortages on the packing list. If the instrument is damaged, file a claim with the
carrier. The factory will supply you with a quotation for estimated costs of repair.
You must negotiate and settle with the carrier for the amount of damage.
To ensure that you get the most out of your ILX Lightwave product, we ask that
you direct any product operation or service related questions or comments to ILX
Lightwave Customer Support. You may contact us in whatever way is most
convenient:
ILX Lightwave Corporation
P. O . B o x 6 3 1 0
Bozeman, Montana, U.S.A 59771
www.ilxlightwave.com
When you contact us, please have the following information:
Model Number:
Serial Number:
End-user Name:
Company:
Phone:
Fax:
Descriptionofwhatis
connected to the ILX
Lightwave instrument:
Description of the problem:
If ILX Lightwave determines that a return to the factory is necessary, you are
issued a Return Authorization (RA) number. Please mark this number on the
outside of the shipping box.
You or your shipping service are responsible for any shipping damage when
returning the instrument to ILX Lightwave; ILX recommends you insure the
shipment. If the original shipping container is not available, place your instrument
in a container with at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) of compressible packaging material
on all sides.
This chapter is an introduction to the LDC-3926339 6-Amp Laser Diode Current
Source module for the LDC-3926 mainframe. This chapter contains unpacking
information, installation instructions, applying power, and safety considerations
and instructions. It also contains maintenance information and specifications.
If any of the following symptoms exist, or are even suspected, remove the LDC-3926339
Module from service. Do not use the module until trained service personnel can verify
safe operation.
Visible damage
Severe transport stress
Prolonged storage under adverse conditions
Failure to perform intended measurements or functions
If necessary, return the LDC-3926339 to ILX Lightwave for service and repair to ensure
that safety features are maintained.
Product Overview
The LDC-3926339 contains a laser diode current source. The current source
provides high stability output up to 6 Amps, with fully redundant current limits and
multiple laser protection features such as contact bounce detection, voltage limit
adjust, and 4-wire voltage measurement for precise laser diode forward voltage
measurement.
When you receive your LDC-3926339 module, check for shipping damage
immediately. Shipping damage is not covered under warranty. Contact ILX
Customer Service (see page xii for contact information) if the module appears to
have shipping damage.
Verify that the module has an ESD protective hood on the combo-D connector
and that it is enclosed in an ESD safe handling bag (when shipped separately
from the mainframe). Remember to follow proper ESD safe handling procedures
before handling the module.
These instructions are for installing the LDC-3926339 module into the LDC-3926
mainframe.
Static discharge can damage your new Laser Diode Controller Module. Be certain you
use proper grounding procedures before unpacking and installing your module(s) into
the LDC-3926 mainframe.
Inspect the module for any visible shipping damage that may have occurred
before inserting the module into the mainframe. Pay special attention to the
copper shielding material on the right edge of the rear panel of the module.
Be sure that the LDC-3926 mainframe power is off before inserting or removing any
module. Inserting or removing a module while the mainframe power is on is known as
hot-swapping.
Hot swapping may cause hardware, calibration data, and memory damage or loss. Module
damage from hot-swapping is NOT covered under warranty.
Installing the Module
1Unwrap the module from the anti-static bag.
2Make sure the LDC-3926 mainframe is turned off.
3Align the top and bottom edges of the module with the plastic guides in the desired slot on
the mainframe. Make sure the copper shielding is facing the power entry side of the rear
panel.
Output Current Accuracy (@25 °C):±0.07 % of Full Scale
Photodiode Current Range:0-5000 µA
PD Current Resolution:0.1 µA
PD Current Accuracy (@25°C):±2 µA
PD Responsivity Range:
PD Responsivity Resolution:0.01 µA/mW
Optical Power Range:0.00-5000.00 mW
Optical Power Resolution:100 µW
Forward Voltage Range:0.00-7.50 V
Forward Voltage Resolution:10 mV (1 mV through GPIB)
Forward Voltage Accuracy:
1. All values are contingent upon a 60-minute warm-up period with the output turned-on.
2. Over any 1-hour period, half-scale output.
3. Over any 24-hour period, half-scale output.
4. Measured optically, evaluating noise intensity of a laser diode into a photodetector with 150 kHz bandwidth.
5. Maximum output current transient resulting from normal operational situations (e.g., power on-off, current on-off), as well
as accidental situations (e.g., power line plug removal).
6. Maximum output current transient resulting from a 1000V power-line transient spike. Tested to ILX Lightwave Technical
Standard #LDC-00196. Request ILX Application Note #3.
7. Maximum monitor photodiode current drift over any 30 minute period. Assumes zero drift in responsivity of photodiode.
8. Modulation input is 50 Ω terminated inside the mainframe.
9. 50% modulation at mid-scale output, 0.5 Ω load. High bandwidth mode.
10. Responsivity value is user-defined and is used to calculate the optical power.
11. Four wire voltage measurement. Voltage measurement accuracy while driving calibration load. Accuracy is dependent
upon load and cable used.
This chapter introduces the operation of the LDC-3926339 front panel control
functions. It offers instructions for connecting your laser to the current source. This
chapter also contains step-by-step procedures for operating your module in
Constant Current Mode or Constant Power Mode. ILX Lightwave recommends
you review the contents of this chapter before operating your Laser Diode
Controller.
Connecting to the Laser Current Source
When connecting your laser diode or any other sensitive devices to the LDC3926339, ILX recommends the instrument is powered up with the laser output
turned off. In this condition, a low impedance shunt is active across the output
terminals. When disconnecting devices, it is necessary to turn off only the laser
outputs.
ILX recommends the connections to the LDC-3926339 output be made using
twisted wire pairs with an earth-grounded shield (see Figure 2.1 on page 9). ILX
recommends using the CC-326H Current Source/Unterminated High Power
Interconnect cable with a braided outer shield designed to provide the best
possible rejection of most transient noise signals. The output terminals of the
instrument are left floating, relative to earth ground, to suppress AC poweron/power-off transients that may occur through an earth-ground path. If the output
circuit is earth-grounded at some point (such as through the laser package and
mount), the user must avoid multiple earth grounds in the circuit. Multiple earth
grounds may provide circuit paths that induce spurious currents in the photodiode
feedback circuit and output leads.
If an inadvertent open circuit occurs during laser operation (while the laser is on),
your laser may be damaged by a momentary circuit break-and-remake before the
final circuit break. The LDC-3926339 has circuitry designed to detect open circuits
and shut the output off under most conditions. However, ILX recommends that
cable connections to the laser are secure enough to avoid intermittent open-circuit
conditions should they be jostled or bumped.
Use appropriately-shielded cabling to reduce coupling of potentially laser damaging
transients. Do not bundle the current source cables with other cables in your system or
laboratory.
A Combo-D connector on the rear panel of the current source module is used to
connect laser diodes to the module. There are connections provided for laser
cathode and anode, photodiode cathode and anode, chassis ground, interlock,
and laser forward voltage.
Figure 2.2 Back Panel Laser Diode Connector
Interlock Connections
To enable the laser output, a short must exist between the Interlock pins (pins 1
and 2) of the connector. The short can be a direct short across the pins or a switch
to prevent laser operation until the switch is closed. If laser output is turned on
without a short between pins 1 and 2, an error appears for the respective channel
on any of the laser set-up pages or on the status screen. Furthermore, the output
is turned off and error E501 (see Front panel Error Indicators on page 79) appears
if the interlock is disconnected.
The interlock terminals on the laser connector, pins 1 and 2, must be isolated from all
other connections including earth ground.
Four-Wire Voltage Sense
The LDC-3926339 has a 4-wire voltage sense feature. The laser voltage is
sensed through a pair of connections (pins 4 and 9) that are separate from the
laser current drive connections (pins A2 and A3). This allows a more accurate
laser voltage reading. All four of these pins (4, A2 , 9, A3) must be connected for
the module to operate. For more information about 4-wire Voltage Sense, see
Tech Note #TN3916-2. Contact ILX Lightwave Customer Service (see page xii for
contact information) for information about Tech Notes and other support
information.
Photodiode Connections
Many laser diode modules contain an internal photodiode that monitors the backfacet emission of the laser. Usually, this photodiode is internally connected to
either the laser anode or cathode.
The photodiode and laser connections to the LDC-3926339 are electrically
isolated from ground and each other. If a 4-pin connection is made (no common
connections) no additional jumpers are required. Figure 2.1 on page 9 shows the
recommended connections and shielding for 3-pin lasers (where the common
connection is internal to the device). A 4-pin laser must be connected with the
same shielding as shown in Figure 2.1, but the common connection (between the
photodiode and the laser) is optional.
Grounding Considerations
The laser output of the LDC-3926339 is isolated from chassis ground allowing
either output terminal to be grounded at the user's option. Figure 2.1 shows the
proper earth-ground shielding for laser diode/photodiode connections.
Front Panel Overview
This section describes how to operate the LDC-3926339 from the front panel of
the LDC-3926 mainframe. For a more detailed explanation of the front panel keys,
see the LDC-3926 User's Guide.
General Front Panel Operation
Figure 2.3 shows the front panel of the LDC-3926 mainframe. The key operating
parameters for the LDC-3926339 can be set, adjusted, and displayed through
established menus on the front panel. You control the menus on the display by
using the keys (pushbuttons) to the right of the display. There are two kinds of
keys, the hard keys and soft keys. The hard keys have only one function, while the
function of the soft keys varies with each menu on the display.
Laser Enable
Key Swicth
Display
Section
Menu Soft Keys:
F1, F2, F3, F4
Menu Control
Keys: Main,
Chan, Prev,
Next
Parameter Adjust
Keys
Adjust Section
Power Switch
Vacuum Flourescent
Display
Figure 2.3 Front Panel
Numeric Keypad
Adjust Knob
Laser Enable Key Switch
To enable laser output, a short must exist between the Interlock pins (pins 1 and
2) of the connector. The short can be a direct short across the pins or a switch to
prevent laser operation until the switch is closed. If a short does not exist between
these two pins, the laser output is disabled. See more information about interlock
pins in the appropriate laser module User's Guide.
Display Section
Two important sections on the front panel are the Display and Adjust sections.
The Display section contains the display screen and various keys that allow you to
select a menu and parameters within that menu.
The keys labeled F1, F2, F3, and F4 (soft keys) have several functions depending
which page is displayed. The boxed text on the right of the screen correspond with
these softkeys. The MAIN, CHAN, and PREV/NEXT keys are the hard keys; their
function is not dependent on what is on the display. Pressing the MAIN key
provides direct access to the Main Instrument screen. The CHAN key provides
direct access to the Channel screen, where the instrument displays channel
information on setpoints for the laser and TEC modules. The PREV and NEXT
keys move the cursor around the screen to select operating parameters only..
Soft Keys
Hard Keys
Figure 2.4 Display Section
Adjust Section
The Adjust section of the front panel provides various means of entering or
modifying instrument parameters. These include a 10-key numeric keypad, a
rotary knob (digital encoder), and increment and decrement keys..