Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit Instructions Manual.
Web Version 3.1 02.07
Manufacturer
Alpes Lasers SA
1-3 Passage Max-Meuron
CP 1766
CH-2001 Neuchˆatel
Tel. ++41 32 729951 0
Fax. ++41 32 721 3619
http://www.alpeslasers.ch
info@alpeslasers.ch
1.2Limited waranty
Alpes Lasers SA will accept no responsibility for pro blems arising out of incorrect use of the instrument.
Under no circumstances w ill Alpes Lasers SA b e held liable for any damage, or financial loss imputable
to the instrument.
Copyright
The reproduction, even partially, of this do cument is forbidden. No part can be copied
in any form, and cannot be used, edited nor transmitted by any electronic means
(photocopy, photography, magnetic supports or other recording processes), without the
written authorization of Alpes Lasers SA. All rights and particularly reproduction,
translation, edition, distribution and also industrial property and recording are reserved.
Printed in Switzerland
c
4
Chapter 2
LASER BEAM
DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM
CLASS I LASER PRODUCT
General
2.1Chapter overview
This chapter gives basic information on system functions, specifications and documentation.
2.2Generalities
The indications in the present Instructions Manual,
in particular the safety instructions must be complied with.
2.3Compliance
The Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit has been
designed to meet all current safety at work and operating requirements.
2.3.1Laser compliance
The system describe d in this manual contains a
laser device. Dep e nding of the emission power of
the laser used in the Starter Kit, the classification
may change.
According to the emission p ower, the laser pr od-
uct meets the following requirements:
CLASS I : . . . . . . . . Emission power < 10 mW
CLASS IIIb : . . . . Emission power > 10 mW
Fig.1: Class I lase r compliance
5
Starter Kit Instruction ManualGeneral6
2.4Glossary
The following terms, among others, are used in this
Instructions Manual.
2.4.1Persons
Personnel
Personnel refers to all perso ns who carry out
any activity with the instrumentation and meet the
manufacturer’s requirements a bout personnel to run
those activities and have been therefore author iz e d.
2.4.2Product
QCL
This is the Quantum Cascade Laser manufactured by Alpes Lasers SA, CH-2001 Neuchˆatel.
Starter Kit Instruction ManualGeneral7
2.5Typographic conventions
The following styles are used in this manual.
Description style
This style, used in relatio n with a number in illustrations (figures) is preceded by the corresponding number:
Example:
(1) First item.
(2) Second item.
(3) etc...
Commands style
All software commands, buttons, function keys,
windows, icons, options, tabs, check boxes, select
boxes, items, menus, tool bars, sections and fields
used in this documentation will be shown with a
bold italic font.
Example:
The Exit command permits to leave the program.
Procedure style
The steps of a procedure to be carried out step
by step by the personnel are preceeded with num-
bers placed in brackets.
Example:
[1] Set the selector (4) to mode Real◦C.
[2] Check the power supplies +5V and -5V.
The error should be within +/- 50 mV.
Starter Kit Instruction ManualGeneral8
Procedure effects style
The procedur e effects are described by using the
following symbol ,→.
Example:
[1] Click on the Delete Sample icon.
,→ The message Do you really want to
delete the sample ? appea rs.
Cross references style
This style is used to help the personnel to find
other information about the curre nt subject.
Example:
See page x-y.
Troubleshooting s tyle
The complete description with the problem, the
possible cause and the solution will be shown like
described below:
Problem
- Possible cause
√
Solution
List of items style
This style is used to give a list of items.
Example:
• item 1
• item 2
• item 3
Starter Kit Instruction ManualGeneral9
Note style
Used when the personnel attention must be drawn
to a particular operation or information.
Example:
Note: The laboratory housing LLH100 makes
available two outputs giving access t o these voltage.
Caution style
Used to prevent the personnel from any danger
or hazardous situation. Non-compliance with such
instructions may lead to damage parts or environment.
Example:
CAUTION ! Take care about...
Warning style
Used to prevent the personnel from any important danger or hazardous situation. Non-compliance
with such instructions may lead to death or serious
injury.
Example:
! WARNING ! Never open this cover...
Chapter 3
Safety Instructions
3.1Chapter overview
This chapter sets out safety instructions for ensuring safe and trouble-free operation of the system
described in this manual.
3.2Introduction
3.2.1Principle
The personnel must have read and understood this
documentation before carrying out any activity whatsoever with the system described in this manual.
In case of unclear information, please contact
the manufacturer or Alpes Lasers SA representative.
3.2.2Importance of safety instructions
All the safety instructions in this manual must be
carried out in order to avoid injury to persons or
damage to property and the environment.
Similarly, the statutory regulations, measures
for accidents prevention and protection of the environment and the recognized technical rules for
safe and appropriate working practices which are in
force in the country and place of use of the sy stem
must be complied with.
3.2.3Non-compliance with the safety
regulations
Non-compliance with the safety instructions, statutory and technical regulations may lead to injuries
to persons, or dama ge to property and the environment. Moreover, this will result in loss of warranty.
• Never attempt to use a s ystem for purposes
other than those detailed in this manual.
• Never attempt to use a system in conjunction with other instruments without obtaining prior information and approval from the
manufacturer.
• Never attempt to use spare parts other than
those supplied by the manufacturer.
• If an instrument is to be left unused for any
length of time, protect the instrument against
dust and/or humidity.
3.4Environmental conditions
• Like any other electrical device, the system
must not be lo c ated near a water tap.
• The instrument must be kept away from potential sources of interference.
• The system must not be exposed to direct
sunlight, heat, dust or excessive humidity (use
only in a clean labor atory environment).
• Take care not to spill liquid on an instrument.
In the event of accidental spillage, proceed as
follows:
[1] Switch off the instrument immediately.
[2] Unplug the instrument from the mains.
[3] Wipe the instrument down with a dry
tissue.
[4] Check all the electrical functions.
• Ensure sufficient ventilation of the instrument
to prevent overheating.
3.5Compliance and information
In the event of operating faults or other technical
incidents for which a remedy is not described in this
manual, please contact the manufacturer or Alpes
Lasers SA representative immediately.
(http://www.alpeslasers.ch/contacts.htm)
Chapter 4
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Current control Max 60V
Power supply 12V
Input
LDD 100
Monitor 20 A/V, Z50 Ohm
3
1
4
2
Description
4.1Chapter overview
This chapter gives a basic description of the Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit system and its composition.
4.2System Composition
The Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit is made
up of the following items:
(1) Laboratory Laser Housing (LLH100)
(2) Temperature Controller (TCU151)
(3) QCL pulse switching unit (LDD100)
(4) QCL pulser timing unit (TPG128)
For operation of the system, the user must provide a stabilized DC power supply capable of delivering DC current that corresponds to the laser
peak current multiplied with the specified duty cycle at the specified LDD100 voltage: refer to the
datasheet of the laser.
CAUTION !
Do not lift TCU151 or TPG128 only on t he top
cover, since this might loosen the connection between the cover and the chassis.
Fig.2: Quantum Cascade Laser Starter Kit
Starter Kit Instruction ManualDescription13
1
2
4.3DFB and FP Quantum Cascade Lasers
4.3.1Description
Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) are unipolar lasers
emitting in the mid-infrared from 4 to 17 microns.
The laser is a ridge of InGaAs and AlInAs grown
on InP providing gain and a Fabry-Perot cavity in
order to build the laser oscillation up. DistributedFeedback(DFB) Quantum Cascade Lasers are then
obtained by adding a grating, forcing the laser to
emit at the target wavelength.
4.3.2Geometry of QC lasers
Mountings
Lasers exist in two different packages:
• ST mounting (1)
• NS mounting (2)
Axes of QC lasers
The vertical direction is the so called growth dire c tion.
Device are mounted on a copper carrier which
has one or two ceramic pads carrying the bonding
wires. The pads are yellow on top due to a layer of
gold, and white around it and on the sides (colour
of the ceramic). If these pads are placed upwards,
the vertical for the laser is the same as the observer
vertical dire c tion.
If there are two ceramic pads pre sent, they are
named as follows:
Looking onto the front facet with the laser placed
as described above, the pad left of the laser chip is
called ”DN” (for DOWN), the one on the right of
it ”UP”.
Fig.3: ST submount
If no configuration is specified,
the ”DN” pad is used.
Never place the laser upside-down, since this will
damage the bonds connecting the pads to the laser
and possibly the laser itself !
The laser chips mounted on NS submounts provided separately from a LLH100 are supplied in a
round plastic box. For removing the laser from it,
please follow the instructions as described in appendix (appendix 10.2, p.59)
Might vary for each laser, but generally located in the range from -30◦C to +30◦C
Caution !
Before operating the laser at different temperature than specified in the datasheet, please contact
Alpes Lasers SA or a representative. Damages resulting from a non-respect of temperature operating range without approval from Alpes Lasers SA will led to a loss of warranty.
The Laboratory Laser Housing is a Thermo-Electric
cooled box which encapsulates the Quantum Cascade Laser.
The internal temperature is controlled by a PT100 sensor and heat is dissipated by air or water.
The LLH100 is designed to ease the laser installation or replacement.
LLH100 external view description
The Laboratory Laser Housing is composed of the
following items: