Industrial Fiber Optics ML 800 Series, ML 800, ML 810, ML 868, ML 869 Operator's Manual

IndustrIal FIber OptIcs

Model Numbers:
ML 800
ML 810
ML 868
ML 869
ML 869A

ML 800 Series Laser

Hard-Seal Helium Neon

Operator’s Manual

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Copyright © 2016

Previous printings 2008, 2009 and 2013

by Industrial Fiber Optics, Inc.

Revision - H

Printed in the United States of America

* * *

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means

(electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise)

without prior written permission from Industrial Fiber Optics.

* * * * *

– i –

INTRODUCTION

This manual provides information about the family of Hard-Seal Helium Neon

Lasers that formerly were manufactured by Metrologic, Inc. It contains all the

information needed to set up and operate these lasers safely and knowledgeably,

even if you are a novice to laser technology. Please read the manual carefully

before operating the laser.

Industrial Fiber Optics makes every effort to incorporate state-of-the-art

technology, highest quality and dependability in its products. We constantly

explore new ideas and products to best serve the rapidly expanding needs of

industry and education. We encourage comments that you may have about our

products, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss new ideas that may better

serve your needs. For more information about our company and products refer to

www.i-beroptics.com on the Internet.

Thank you for selecting this Industrial Fiber Optics product. We hope it

meets your expectations and provides many hours of productive activity.

Sincerely,

The Industrial Fiber Optics Team

– ii –

.

– iii –

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction……………………….................…….....…………..…… i

LASER CLASSIFICATION.........….............................……..…...… iv

GENERAL…………................….............................……..…...…….. 1

SAFETY NOTES.............................................................................. 2

Laser Safety.................................................................................... 2

Electrical Safety.............................................................................. 3

CDRH Regulations.......................................................................... 3

OPERATING CONDITIONS…....................………..................……. 4

Input Voltage.................................................................................. 4

Environmental Limits...................................................................... 4

LASER SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................. 5

LASER OPERATION....................................................................... 6

Beam Controls............................................................................... 6

Power Controls.............................................................................. 6

Operating Instructions................................................................... 7

TROUBLESHOOTING..................................................................... 7

MODULATED LASERS

(ML 868, ML 869, ML 869A).............................. 8

Connectors for Signal Input........................................................... 8

Modulation Characteristics............................................................ 8

Detectors....................................................................................... 8

Troubleshooting for Modulated Lasers.......................................... 9

APPLICATIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.................................... 10

Optical Galvanometer.................................................................... 10

Diffraction, Variable Slit................................................................. 10

Laser Light Show........................................................................... 11

Index of Refraction, Liquids........................................................... 11

Interference, Evaporation of Alcohol.............................................. 11

WARRANTY..................................................................................... 12

SHIPMENT DAMAGE CLAIMS....................................................... 13

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE...................................................... 14

TABLE 1. COMMON ABBREVIATIONS.......................................... 15

– iv –

LASER CLASSIFICATIONS

All manufacturers of lasers used in the United States must conform to regulations
administered by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), a branch of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CDRH categorizes lasers as follows:

Class Description

I A laser or laser system, which does not present a hazard to skin

or eyes for any wavelength or exposure time. Exposure varies
with wavelength. For ultraviolet, 2 to 4 µm exposures is less than
from 8 nW to 8 µW. Visible light exposure varies from 4 µW to 200
µW, and for near-IR, the exposure is < 200 µW. Consult CDRH

regulations for specic information.

II Any visible laser with an output less than 1 mW of power. Warning

label requirements – yellow caution label stating maximum output
of 1 mW. Generally used as classroom lab lasers, supermarket
scanners and laser pointers

IIIa Any visible laser with an output over 1 mW of power with a

maximum output of 5 mW of power. Warning label requirements
– red danger label stating maximum output of 5 mW. Also used
as classroom lab lasers, in holography, laser pointers, leveling
instruments, measuring devices and alignment equipment.

IIIb Any laser with an output over 5 mW of power with a maximum

output of 500 mW of power and all invisible lasers with an output
up to 400 mW. Warning label requirements – red danger label
stating maximum output. These lasers also require a key switch
for operation and a 3.5-second delay when the laser is turned on.
Used in many of the same applications as the Class IIIa when
more power is required.

IV Any laser with an output over 500 mW of power. Warning label

requirements – red danger label stating maximum output. These
lasers are primarily used in industrial applications such as tooling,
machining, cutting and welding. Most medical laser applications
also require these high-powered lasers.

– 1 –

GENERAL

In the ML 800 Series, Industrial Fiber Optics offers lasers in a range of power, size and
price. The helium neon tubes used in these lasers have a shelf life of at least 10 years, and
a lifespan of at least 20,000 hours of continuous operation.

Recommended uses of the different lasers are listed below:

ML 800

Student Use, Demonstrations

ML 810 Student Use, Holography

ML 868 Lecture Demos, Modulation, Voice or Video Communication

ML 869 Lecture Demos, Modulation, Voice or Video Communication,

Holography, Research

ML 869A

Lecture Demos, Modulation, Voice Communication,

Holography, Research

This manual contains information on laser specification, operation, safety and trouble­shooting. The manual includes experiments that can be conducted with the laser.
Many ideas for additional activities and investigations can be found on our website,
www.i-fiberoptics.com. Look for the Laser Teaching Supplements on the website.
Additionally, the following complete projects/labs (and many others) can be purchased
from Industrial Fiber Optics for use with the laser:

Laser Optics Lab

This lab contains more than 30 optical parts and

accessories. These tools can be used to demonstrate the
principles of optics in a basic course of physics or physical
science.

Physical Optics Lab

With this lab, image processing and Fourier transforms

of optical formations can be practical studies for high
schools and undergraduate physics classes.

Michelson Interferometer

This is a classic device for splitting a beam of

monochromatic light into two parts that travel along
different optical paths and then merge again to produce
interference fringes.

Modern Laser Optics Kit

This innovative collection of nine unique optical mounts

offers endless possibilities for exploring the many aspects
of modern optical technology.

Laser Audio Receiver

This lab contains a microphone and audio receiver, along

with the instructions needed to turn your modulated
laser into a free-air voice communication link.

Check the website www.i-fiberoptics.com for details.

45-600

45-688

45-940

IF 535

IF LSL2

– 2 –

SAFETY NOTES

Laser Safety

Lasers are valuable sources of light for conducting exciting demonstrations and laboratory
experiments in schools.

Industrial Fiber Optics lasers emit a beam of visible light. However, they do not
emit invisible, exotic, or otherwise harmful radiations. See page iv for LASER
CLASSIFICATIONS.

Industrial Fiber Optics lasers are low-power lasers. The light output is only a few milliwatts,
i.e., a few thousandths of a watt. These lasers should not be confused with the powerful
lasers intended for burning, cutting and drilling.

Although the power of Industrial Fiber Optics lasers is low, treat all laser beams with
caution and common sense because they are intense and concentrated. The greatest
potential for harm with Industrial Fiber Optics lasers is to the eyes. Just as no one should
stare at the sun or arc lamps, no one should look directly into the laser beam or stare at its
bright reflections.

The United States Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) regulates
manufacturers of lasers to ensure that users are not endangered. The federal government
classifies lasers according to their power levels and specifies appropriate safety features for
each level. Demonstration lasers fall into Class II and they can be identified by a yellow
“Caution” label that contains the warning, “Do not stare into beam.” Class II lasers have a
maximum power of 0.95 milliwatt, i.e., 1/1000th of a watt. They conclude that the power
is eye-safe, except possibly in the case of deliberate, long-term direct staring into the beam.
Safety features include a pilot lamp, which glows when the electrical power is on, and a
mechanical beam stop, which can block the beam when the power is on.

The following are labels located on helium-neon lasers:

Hard-Seal Laser

Periodic operation not required

Figure 1. Laser labels.

CAUTION

LASER RADIATION

DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM

PEAK POWER 1 mW

WAVELENGTH 600 - 700 nm

Class II Laser Product

1189.eps

LASER RADIATION

DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM

PEAK POWER 5 mW

WAVELENGTH 600 - 700 nm

Class IIIa Laser Product

DANGER

1190.eps

CAUTION!

Plug laser only into

grounded outlets

1533.eps