THORLABS LDM9T User manual

LDM9T

Laser Mount with TEC

and Controller

User Guide

LDM9T 
 
Table of Contents 
Chapter 1 Warning Symbol Definitions ...........................................1 
Chapter 2 Safety.................................................................................2 
Chapter 3 Description........................................................................3 
3.1. Package Contents .......................................................... 4 
Chapter 4 Setup..................................................................................5 
4.1. Setup Instructions .......................................................... 5 
4.2. Special Note for 4-Pin Laser Diodes ................................ 6 
4.3. Laser Diodes without a Monitor Photodiode .................. 6 
4.4. Mount Power and TEC Control ....................................... 7 
4.5. Thorlabs LDC Series Laser Controller Connection ............ 7 
4.6. Using a Third-Party Laser Controller............................... 8 
Chapter 5 Operation...........................................................................9 
5.1. General.......................................................................... 9 
5.2. RF Modulation............................................................... 9 
5.3. Status and Interlocks ................................................... 10 
5.4. Active Cooling System.................................................. 10 
5.5. Safe Operating Area (SOA)........................................... 11 
5.6. Maintaining the LDM9T ............................................... 12 
Chapter 6 Making Safety Interlock Connections ..........................13 
Chapter 7 Trouble Shooting............................................................14 
Chapter 8 Specifications.................................................................15 
Chapter 9 Mechanical Drawing.......................................................19 
Chapter 10 Regulatory.......................................................................20 
Chapter 11 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts.......................................21 

LDM9T Chapter 1: Warning Symbol Definitions

Rev G, Jan 22, 2017 Page 1

Warning Symbol Definitions

Below is a list of warning symbols you may encounter in this manual or on your

device.

Symbol

Description

Direct Current

Alternating Current

Both Direct and Alternating Current

Earth Ground Terminal

Protective Conductor Terminal

Frame or Chassis Terminal

Equipotentiality

On (Supply)

Off (Supply)

In Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control

Out Position of a Bi-Stable Push Control

Caution: Risk of Electric Shock

Caution: Hot Surface

Caution: Risk of Danger

Warning: Laser Radiation

Caution: Spinning Blades May Cause Harm

LDM9T Chapter 2: Safety

Page 2 15827-D02

Safety

WARNING

Make sure the laser diode is installed correctly and the polarity switches on the

mount are set as per the laser diode pin configuration provided by the

manufacturer. Connecting the LD driver to mount with incorrect installation may

damage the laser diode.

WARNING

The RF input is directly coupled to the laser. Any excessive transients or noise

will be coupled into the laser and may cause the laser to be overdriven. Also,

the laser can be easily overdriven if excessive RF power is applied to this input.

Use the RF modulation input with care to avoid damaging your laser or mount.

LDM9T Chapter 3: Description

Rev G, Jan 22, 2017 Page 3

Description

Features

•Ø5.6 mm (TO-56) and Ø9 mm (TO-9) Laser Diodes Compatible

•Integrated TEC Controller

•Bias-T Adapter for RF Modulation of Laser Current up to 1 GHz

•TEC Element Prolongs LD Life and Stabilizes Output Power and

Wavelength

The LDM9T is a laser diode mount that features an integrated thermo-electric

cooler (TEC) and temperature controller to precisely regulate the operating

temperature of a laser diode. This mount is designed for users who wish to

temperature control laser diodes without the need for an external TEC controller.

By integrating the TEC, the PID loop settings have to be tuned specifically for the

mount at the factory. The temperature range is limited to approximately 20 to

30 °C due to the size of the package. The TEC control circuit provides a stable,

cost effective, temperature platform for laser diodes. This, combined with current

control, can be used to stabilize or tune the laser diode wavelength.

The LDM9T is compatible with Thorlabs series of LDC controllers. A four pin

socket accepts all Ø9 mm (TO-9) and Ø5.6 mm (TO-56) laser diodes packages.

Easy to use polarity switches allow the laser mount to be configured for the laser

pin assignments shown in the image below. The laser can be directly modulated

to >1GHz using a 50 RF bias-T.

The mount’s safety and protection features include reverse bias protection

diodes, remote safety interlock connection, and a TEC lockout circuit that

prevents enabling of the laser diode unless the temperature controller is also

enabled. The TEC lockout can easily be bypassed by setting an on-board

jumper.

The LDM9T mount has a compact design, with a low speed fan to increase the

cooling capacity, and still offers the features typical to our other products. The

mounting options include multiple #8-32 (M4-0.7 on the /M version) mounting

holes, 30 mm cage system mounting holes, and SM1 threaded aperture.

LDM9T Chapter 3: Description

Page 4 15827-D02

Figure 1 Supported Pin Configurations

3.1. Package Contents

•LDM9T Mount

•Ø9 mm LD Flange

•Ø5.6 mm LD Flange

•Replacement Screws

•HK564 5/64" Hex Key

•Operating Manual

LDM9T Chapter 4: Setup

Rev G, Jan 22, 2017 Page 5

Setup

4.1. Setup Instructions

•Unpack the laser mount and remove the four 2-56 socket head screws

from the top cover using a 5/64" hex driver.

•Remove the two 2-56 socket head screws securing the Ø9 mm flange to

the copper cold plate with a 5/64" hex driver.

•Determine the laser pin configuration from the laser diode

manufacturer’s data sheets and set the LD (Laser Diode) and PD

(Photodiode) switches on the inside of the LDM9T.

Figure 2 Polarity Switch Settings

•The four sockets comprising the laser diode connector are through-hole-

type sockets.

•Most laser diodes are three pins with the case tied to one of the laser

pins and also to one of the photodiode pins. The other laser and

photodiode pin will be isolated from the case. The LDM9T was designed

to operate the laser case at ground potential therefore this common pin

will be inserted into either the 9 o’clock or the 3 o’clock position of the

laser connector, marked G (Ground). Locate the isolated laser pin and

insert it in the 6 o’clock position, marked LD. The isolated photodiode

should now be in the 12 o’clock position, marked PD.

Figure 3 Laser Diode Socket

LDM9T Chapter 4: Setup

Page 6 15827-D02

•Make sure the laser diode is flush with the cold plate. Install the

appropriate mounting flange, either Ø5.6 mm or Ø9 mm, over the laser

diode and secure in place using the provided screws. A spare set of

screws is provided with the mount.

•Lastly, reattach the cover plate using the two 2-56 socket head screws.

WARNING

Make sure the laser diode is installed correctly and the polarity switches on the

mount are set as per the laser diode pin configuration provided by the

manufacturer. Connecting the LD driver to mount with incorrect installation may

damage the laser diode.

4.2. Special Note for 4-Pin Laser Diodes

The LDM9T also supports 4-pin laser diodes. Insert the laser into the 4-pin

socket and note which laser pin is in the 6 o’clock position (laser anode or

cathode). Also, note which photodiode pin is in the 12 o’clock position (anode or

cathode). The mount will tie the laser and photodiode pins located at 9 o’clock

and 3 o’clock together and also to ground. By noting which polarity pins are

inserted in the socket, you can convert the 4-pin layout to one of the 3-pin layouts

in Figure 2 on page 5. Set the LD and PD polarity switches accordingly.

4.3. Laser Diodes without a Monitor Photodiode

Laser diodes without a monitor photodiode will also work with the LDM9T. The

laser diode pins must be positioned between the LD and G positions. Some 2 pin

packages will not align with the laser diode socket, but 3 pin versions can be

mounted.

Pin style G is a special case. To properly operate this laser diode style, the

internal jumper JP2 needs to be installed. This will short the PD pin to G. The

user will need to determine if they want to operate with the LD anode or cathode

grounded. The laser diode needs to be oriented so that the preferred grounded

LD pin is oriented to the PD pin. This will align the remaining laser diode pin into

the LD socket. The laser diode pin oriented toward the PD pin will determine the

switch position.

Laser Lead in PD Socket

LD Switch

PD Switch

Anode

Cathode

It should be noted that both PD pins will now be grounded giving erroneous

readings on controllers with photodiode measurement circuits.

LDM9T Chapter 4: Setup

Rev G, Jan 22, 2017 Page 7

4.4. Mount Power and TEC Control

•Locate the included power supply module and the supplied line cord.

Install the line cord into the power supply and plug into an appropriate

wall socket.

•Plug the power supply output plug into the LDM9T power input

receptacle located on the side of the unit.

•Power the mount using the slide switch located on the top of the unit.

The fan should immediately turn on and the Power LED should light.

•As soon as the unit is powered on the temperature will start stabilizing

to the setpoint determined by the “TEMP ADJ” knob. Allow a couple of

minutes for the temperature to stabilize whenever the unit is powered up

or the laser diode average power level is changed.

•To adjust the temperature setpoint simply adjust the Temp Adj knob

located on the top of the mount.

4.5. Thorlabs LDC Series Laser Controller Connection

•The LDM9T is compatible with all Thorlabs LDC laser diode controllers.

Thorlabs’ ITC series combination controllers (LD and TEC) may also be

used however the TEC control provided will not be used. It may be

necessary to adjust the protection settings to allow operation without the

TEC protection provided by the ITC. Appropriate cables are included

with our controllers and ensure that the controllers cannot be connected

incorrectly.

•The nomenclature for the Laser Diode polarity switch on the LDC40xx

and ITC40xx drivers and the LDM9T are consistent with each other. For

example, if the laser polarity on the driver is set to “AG” (anode

grounded), then the LD polarity switch on the LDM9T should also be set

to AG.

•The nomenclature for the Photo Diode polarity switch on the

LDC40xx/80xx and ITC series drivers and the LDM9T is as follows: The

photodiode polarity switch on the LDM9T must always be set to “CG”.

The photodiode polarity should be set with the internal Laser controller

switch only. For more information on how to set Polarity settings on the

Laser controller, please refer to the appropriate Laser Controller

manual.

Note: The LDC and ITC series controllers can be used to monitor the photodiode

current “IPD”. If the sign of the photodiode current “IPD” is negative, the photodiode

is reversed. Please double check the laser diode pin configuration and polarity

switches before turning on the unit.

LDM9T Chapter 4: Setup

Page 8 15827-D02

4.6. Using a Third-Party Laser Controller

When using a third-party controller, a custom cable will have to be made to

properly interface to the laser mount. Please refer to the table below for laser

connections.

Figure 4 LD Controller DB9 Connection

Signal

Description

Interlock and

Status Pin

(LDC Specific)

This pin is the input to the LD Status indicator and interlock

circuits. When using Thorlabs’ LDC controllers, no external

circuitry is required.

Photodiode

Cathode

This pin is connected to the 12 o’clock pin on the laser

socket when the PD polarity switch is set to AG (anode

grounded). It is attached to ground and the 9 o’clock and 3

o’clock pins on the laser socket when the PD polarity switch

is set to CG (cathode grounded).

Laser Ground

(Case)

This pin is connected to the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock pins on

the laser socket and corresponds to the settings of the LD

and PD polarity switches. i.e., If the LD and PD switches are

set to AG, then this pin grounds the anode of the laser diode

and photodiode.

Photodiode

Anode

This pin is connected to the 12 o’clock pin on the laser

socket when the PD polarity switch is set to CG (cathode

grounded). It is attached to ground and the 9 o’clock and 3

o’clock pins on the laser socket when the PD polarity switch

is set to AG (anode grounded).

Interlock and

Status Return

This pin is the return side of the Status and Interlock

circuitry.

Laser Diode

Cathode

This pin is connected to the 6 o’clock pin on the laser socket

when the LD polarity switch is set to AG (anode ground).

Otherwise it is floating.

Laser Diode

Anode

This pin is connected to the 6 o’clock pin on the laser socket

when the LD polarity switch is set to CG (cathode ground).

Otherwise it is floating.

6, 9

These pins are typically used to monitor LD voltage when

used with the Thorlabs LDC series controllers. This mount

does not support this feature.

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