Page 2 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Introduction Thank you for choosing the LaserSource from Arroyo Instruments. Your LaserSource is a combination of leading edge technology combined with years of experience in the field of current control. With a crystal clear VFD display, both RS232 and USB computer interfaces, and small footprint, the LaserSource will fit into almost any laser diode control application.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 3 What’s in the Box Along with the LaserSource itself, a CD with electronic copies of this manual, the Computer Interfacing Manual, and USB drivers are included. For USA customers, a power cord is included. For non-USA customers, an IEC-60320C13 rated AC power cord must be provided. Accessories Arroyo Instruments also sells several accessories designed to work with the LaserSource.
Page 4 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Safety Terms and Symbols The following safety-related terms are used in this manual: • • • Warnings (noted by the WARNING heading) explain dangers that could result in physical injury or death; Cautions (noted by the CAUTION heading) explain conditions that could result in damage to the instrument, other equipment, or your device. Notes (noted by the NOTES heading) are not safety-related, and are intended simply to point out important information.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 5 General Warnings WARNING Potentially lethal voltages exist within this instrument. This instrument is intended for use by qualified personnel who understand the shock and laser hazards and are familiar with safety procedures required to avoid injury. Read this manual completely before attempting to use this product. WARNING To avoid electrical shock, ensure a 3-prong power cord is used, and is plugged into a earth-grounded receptacle.
Page 6 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Quick Start The LaserSource was designed with ease of use in mind, and you will likely have little need for this manual for almost all of the features the unit offers. This section will show how you can quickly get the unit up and running in almost no time. After unpacking the unit, ensure that the voltage selection on the Input Power Connector (IPC) on the back of the unit is set to the correct voltage.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 7 Installation Installation of the LaserSource is very straightforward, as the quick start section above illustrated. This section will provide additional details and considerations for installing your LaserSource. After unpacking the unit, make sure all packing materials have been removed and nothing obscures the ventilation ports on the back and bottom of the unit.
Page 8 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual 100V Setting 120V Setting 230V Setting 240V Setting Reinsert the voltage selector and replace the fuse cover. Powering Up the Unit Once the correct voltage selection has been made, connect the AC power cord to the unit. You must properly ground the unit by plugging the supplied power cord into a three prong grounded outlet, or using a three-to-two prong adapter and connecting the ground tab to earth ground.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 9 Ventilation The LaserSource has vent holes on the rear and bottom of the unit. You must not block these vent holes, or overheating may occur, causing damage to the unit. CAUTION Do not operate the unit above +40°C ambient, and ensure the instrument is properly ventilated, or the unit may overheat and possible damage to the instrument may occur.
Page 10 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Operation The Front Panel Operation of the LaserSource is very straightforward. The sections below will help familiarize you with the front panel, the display, and the menu structure. The front panel is designed for simplicity in operation. There are three buttons on the front panel: Output, Menu, and the adjustment knob. The output is controlled via the Output button.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 11 When the unit is in remote mode, the yellow Remote LED will be lit. More information about how the instrument behaves in remote mode can be found in the Remote Mode Operation section below. Main Display Screen On the main display you will find the set point and two measurements. Which set point and measurements are displayed will depend on the control mode you have selected.
Page 12 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Shrt OutT ILim MLim PLim A short circuit has been detected on the output. The unit is out-of-tolerance. See the Tol Time and Tol Io settings for more information. The unit is in current limit. The unit is in photodiode current limit. The unit is in photodiode power limit. Settings and Menus All parameters of the LaserSource can be viewed and changed within the menu. The menus are constructed with the most used parameters first.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 13 Menu Description Factory Default Maximum Im limit This setting controls the maximum amount of monitor photodiode current the unit will allow. This limit is implemented in software. For more information about limits, see the section entitled “Hardware and Software Limits”. Po limit This setting controls the maximum amount of monitor photodiode power the unit will allow. This limit is implemented in software.
Page 14 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Menu On Delay Comm Menu Description The delay, from the time the Output button is pressed to when the output is actually energized. Factory Default 3000ms Communications Menu Baud This sets the baud rate for the RS232 serial port. See the Computer Interfacing Manual which is included on the CD that accompanied this product. 9600 Err While Rmt To turn off the display of errors while in remote mode, set this value to “No”.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 15 Control Modes The LaserSource offers five laser control modes: Io (ACC), Io HiBW (ACC), Im (AMC), Po (APC), and Vf (AVC). Changing the control mode is done through the menu by changing the Mode parameter in the menu to one of these values. Io and Io HiBW modes (referred to collectively as ACC, or automatic current control, modes) are used to drive a specific current through the laser diode.
Page 16 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Remote Mode Operation Remote mode operation is when the LaserSource is being controlled by a computer over the USB or RS232 interfaces. When in remote mode, the LaserSource behaves differently, preventing you from affecting the operation of the instrument. Some of the primary differences are you will not be able to change the set point, you cannot enter the menu without taking the unit out of remote mode, and the knob is disabled.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 17 Rear Panel In addition to the input power connector described above, there are four connectors and one push button on the rear panel of the LaserSource: the output connector, modulation input BNC, reset button, USB connector, and RS232 connector.
Page 18 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual reset to factory defaults. Calibration will not be affected, but all settings will be returned to their factory default values. USB Connector The USB connector is a standard Type B female connector, and can be plugged into any USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port. For more information on using the USB interface, see the Computer Interfacing Manual which is included on the CD that accompanied this product.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 19 Connecting to the LaserSource A laser diode is very sensitive to electro-static discharge (ESD), over-voltage, and over-current conditions. When connecting a laser to the LaserSource, make sure proper ESD procedures are taken. In addition, it is critical that the proper current limit and voltage limit be set for the laser diode.
Page 20 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual applications, part number 1221 is a two meter cable with a male DB-9 on one end and stripped and tinned leads on the other. Both cables common pins 1/2 and 3/4 into 18 gauge wires. See the manual for your laser (and fixture) for additional safety and operational information. Grounding Considerations A key feature of the LaserSource is the optical isolation of both the photodiode and modulation inputs.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 21 Specifications Description LASER CURRENT (ACC) Range (mA) Resolution (mA) Accuracy (±[% reading + mA]) Stability (ppm, time) Temperature Coeff (ppm/°C) Noise/Ripple (μA rms) Transients (μA) Compliance Voltage (V) PHOTODIODE CURRENT (APC) Range (μA) Resolution (μA) Accuracy (±[% reading + μA]) Stability (ppm, time) Temperature Coeff (ppm/°C) PD Bias (V) LASER VOLTAGE (AVC) Range (V) Resolution (V) Accuracy (±[% reading + V]) Stability (ppm, time) Temperature C
Page 22 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Error Messages Error Code E-100 Description Cause General Error E-102 Message too long E-123 Path not found E-124 Data mismatch E-201 Data out of range E-202 Invalid data type E-204 Suffix not valid E-501 Interlock shutdown output E-504 Laser current limit disabled output.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 23 E-510 Laser out of tolerance disabled output E-511 Laser control error disabled output E-512 E-514 Power failure Laser mode change disabled output E-516 Incorrect configuration for calibration to start E-517 Calibration must have the output on to start Po mode selected with PD Response set to zero Calibration cancelled E-534 E-535 E-998 E-999 Command not supported Non-specific error The laser output was turned off because an out-of-tolerance condi
Page 24 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Maintenance and Service Maintenance The LaserSource requires no regular maintenance other than product calibration. To clean the instrument, use cotton cloth that is only damp (not wet) with a light solution of soap and water. Fuses Under normal operation, you should never need to replace a fuse. However, if either fuse does blow, use only T 250V, 1.0A, IEC 60127-2 5x20mm metric fuses as replacements.
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 25 European Community Declaration of Conformity EC Declaration of Conformity I/We Arroyo Instruments of 373 Front Street, Suite B Grover Beach, CA 93433 USA declare that 4200 Series LaserSource Laser Diode Driver In accordance with the following directives EMC Directive: 89/336/EEC Low Voltage Directive: 73/23/EEC RoHS Directive: 2002/95/EC89/336/EEC has been designed and manufactured to the following specifications: EMC Directive Test Standards EN 61326 Ele
Page 26 · 4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual Notes:
4200 Series LaserSource User’s Manual · Page 27 Notes:
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