iO MatchBox Series User manual
Version 2.5 October. 2020
Continuous Wave laser
MatchBox® series | User Manual
1
INTRODUCTION
As the title hints, MatchBox® products are ultra-compact, single-unit laser
sources with overall dimensions comparable to a regular matchbox
(30x50x18 mm3), connector pins not included.
The MatchBox® series include a range of continuous wave laser sources,
featuring wide range of wavelength, output power, output type and line-
width options.
The series is composed of solid state (DPSS) lasers, passive Q-Switch
short-pulse lasers, multi-wavelength lasers based on classical dichroic
combining, as well as direct laser diode (LD) lasers. Despite the different
technical implementation, physical and electrical properties, usability and
connectivity are almost identical throughout the series, representing our
commitment to perfect user experience and faster time to market for our
customers.
Please take your time to read this instruction manual which provides
essential information about the usage of the continuous wave single-
wavelength lasers. We have also included various hints and tips that will
help you to get the most out of a certain laser source.
Integrated Optics
2
MatchBox® series | User Manual
3
CONTENTS
1 SAFETY INFORMATION ............................................... ... 5
1.1 Labels ...................................................................... ... 5
1.2 Electrical safety ....................................................... ... 6
1.3 Optical Safety .......................................................... ... 6
1.4 Laser Safety and Classification ............................... ... 9
2 DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS ....................... ... 11
2.1 Part Numbers .......................................................... ... 11
2.2 Description of Series ............................................... ... 12
2.3 Thermal Management ............................................. ... 12
2.4 Power Supply .......................................................... ... 13
2.5 Cables ..................................................................... ... 16
2.6 Power and Signal Connections ............................... ... 16
2.7 Specifications .......................................................... ... 17
2.8 Mechanical Design .................................................. ... 17
2.9 Laser Output Options .............................................. ... 19
2.10 Operating Environment............................................ ... 22
3 INSTALLATION.............................................................. ... 23
3.1 Preliminary Checks.................................................. ... 23
3.2 Heatsink Requirements ........................................... ... 24
3.3 Heatsink Installation ................................................ ... 26
3.4 Starting the laser ..................................................... ... 27
4 OPERATION .................................................................. ... 31
4.1 Operating Fiber Coupled Laser ............................... ... 31
4.2 Operating Free-space Output Laser........................ ... 32
4.3 UART bus ................................................................ ... 33
Integrated Optics
4
4.4 Laser Control Software ............................................ ... 33
4.5 Changing Output Power........................................... ... 46
4.6 Communication Command Table ............................ ... 46
4.7 Communication with Multiple Lasers in a Bus ......... ... 50
4.8 TTL Modulation ........................................................ ... 52
4.9 Attaching Control Interfaces..................................... ... 54
5 ACCESSORIES .............................................................. ... 55
6 TROUBLESHOOTING Q&A .............................................. 57
6.1 Frequently Asked Questions.................................... ... 57
7 GLOSSARY .................................................................... ... 63
8 WARRANTY ................................................................... ... 67
8.1 Limitations of Warranty ............................................ ... 68
MatchBox® series | User Manual
5
1. SAFETY INFORMATION
1.1: Labels
Along the text you will find icons designed to draw your attention to
different bits of safety or otherwise important information:
This icon is used to draw your attention to important information, related
to the usage of a laser.
This symbol is a warning sign. It marks safety precautions related to
optical laser radiation and alerts the operator to the danger of exposure
to hazardous visible or invisible laser radiation.
This symbol is a warning sign. It marks safety precautions related to
electrical safety and alerts the operator about the presence of dangerous
voltage, which might appear on certain conditions. Electric shocks
caused by such voltage may constitute risks to the operator and the
equipment used.
Figure 1-1. Labels on a side of the laser indicates product safety information.
MatchBox lasers belong to the class 3B or class 4.
Integrated Optics
6
Figure 1-2. Serial number is marked on the back of the laser body, right above
the pin connection.
1.2: Electrical safety
Do not disassemble the enclosure. All units are designed to be operated
as assembled. Warranty will be voided if the enclosure is opened.
Electric shocks from an unsuitable or poorly grounded power supply, can
cause extreme pain, severe burns, cardiac arrest and in some cases can
be even lethal, that is why the operator should always obey the safety
measures given below.
The laser body of MatchBox is connected to the ground, this means that
all internal electronics share the same ground of the laser body.
It is recommended to make sure that the power supply used with
MatchBox laser pin connection, is well grounded and that there are no
grounding interruptions with other devices. Otherwise it can be
dangerous for an operator and it can cause malfunction of the laser.
1.3: Optical Safety
Light, emitted from a laser source, features hazardous properties, as
compared to conventional light sources, such as: luminescent bulbs, light
MatchBox® series | User Manual
7
emitting diodes and etc. It is important for users or other persons
approaching to laser systems, to know the dangers involved. Only users,
who are familiar with laser safety should use laser systems, this way the
risks of laser radiation related accidents would be minimized.
MatchBox lasers are Class 3B laser products with rare exceptions of
Class 4. Different models are arranged to emit up to 500 mW of visible or
invisible (infrared) radiation. Several models emit continuous wave
(further shortened to CW) laser radiation up to 1W of optical power.
The radiation is hazardous if the eye is exposed directly to the beam or to
it’s specular reflection. The risk of permanent eye damage or even
blindness increases due to longer exposure time.
Diffuse reflections as those from paper or other matte surfaces are
typically not harmful if observed at a distance of 1 m (3 ft) or larger.
The use of eye protection when operating a MatchBox laser is necessary
if at any circumstances the laser beam could be exposed to an eye
directly or through a specular reflection.
Eye protection in the form of spectacles or goggles is preferred to be with
appropriate wavelength filtering. For example, spectacles absorbing
waves of spectral region from 180 to 532 nm are suitable to work with e.g.
405 nm, 457 nm, 473 nm, 488 nm, 491 nm, 515 nm and 532 nm
MatchBox lasers. However, these spectacles shouldn’t be used to filter
561 nm, 593 nm waves or radiation in the red and infrared regions.
Protective eyewear provides another significant advantage - when
working in dark rooms, laser radiation could haze user’s eyes even if it is
observed from diffuse reflections. Properly chosen eyewear definitely
reduce or even eliminate such haze and extend productive hours.
The beam emitted from Class 3B and Class 4 lasers can easily damage
photosensitive surfaces like those found in photodiodes, CCD cameras or
Integrated Optics
8
photomultipliers. It is important to make sure that an unattenuated beam
does not strike any of aforementioned devices directly. Calculation of
allowed fluency is necessary before using such devices with our lasers.
In addition to laser safety from the laser source alone, given safety
precautions must be followed:
• Experimental setup must ALWAYS be horizontal and below eye lev-
el;
• To avoid accidental exposure, never bend over or look down. If
something falls off of experimental setup, user must first turn off the laser
or close the mechanical shutter and only then pick up the fallen parts;
• Use protective shields or filters to get rid of unnecessary reflections
and scattering;
• User must never wear any kind of jewellery or watches while using
the laser system to avoid any laser beam reflections from those surfaces;
• The laser system must be used in a closed room, because high pow-
er and collimated laser beam can damage biological tissues even at long
distances;
• Extreme precautions must be taken while using volatile substances
in laser operational area;
• High level of ambient light in laser operating room should be main-
tained whenever it is possible, in order to keep the pupil of the eye as
small as possible and to prevent the risk of eye damage;
• Warning signs must be posted near the entrance to the laser opera-
tion area and inside of it;
• Use of laser must be limited to users, who are completely familiar
with the rules above.
Table of contents
