MKS Ophir Nova User Manual

Nova
Nova
Nova
www.ophiropt.com/photonics
Ophir Optronics Solutions Ltd.
Laser Power/Energy Meter
User Manual

MKS Ophir Nova Specifications

General

Type	Laser Power Meter
Display	LCD
Wavelength Range	190nm - 20µm
Accuracy	±0.5% (with appropriate sensor)
Interface	USB, RS232
Power Supply	Battery
Connectivity	USB, RS232
Spectral Range	190nm - 20µm
Sensor Type	Thermopile
Measurement Range	nW to kW (depending on sensor)

Summary

Chapter 2 Quick Reference

2.1 Getting Started

Basic steps to turn on and connect the Nova display unit.

2.2 Thermal Heads

Information on using thermal type heads with the Nova.

2.3 Photodiode Heads

Information on using photodiode type heads with the Nova.

2.4 Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Heads

Information on using pyroelectric and photodiode energy heads.

2.2.2 Setting and Saving Startup Configuration

Configuring and saving startup settings for thermal heads.

2.3.1 Use of Nova with photodiode type heads

Setting laser type and ranging for photodiode heads.

2.3.2 Selecting Chosen Wavelength

How to select specific wavelengths for photodiode heads.

2.3.3 Setting Startup Configuration

Configuring default startup settings for photodiode heads.

2.3.4 Power Measurement

Performing power measurements with photodiode heads.

2.4.1 Selecting Chosen Wavelength

How to select specific wavelengths for pyroelectric/photodiode energy heads.

2.4.2 To set type of laser being used

Setting the laser type for pyroelectric/photodiode energy heads.

2.4.3 To set Laser Pulse and Average

Configuring pulse length and averaging for energy measurements.

2.4.4 Setting Startup Configuration

Configuring default startup settings for energy heads.

2.4.5 Setting up PE-DIF diffuser heads to diffuser IN or OUT setting

Configuring diffuser heads for IN or OUT settings.

2.4.6 Energy or Average Power Measurement

Measuring energy or average power with heads.

2.4.6.1 To choose Energy or Average

Switching between energy and average power modes.

2.4.6.2 To use the Nova to measure Laser Energy and Frequency

Measuring laser energy and frequency.

2.4.6.3 To use the Nova to measure Average Power

Measuring average laser power.

2.4.6.4 To expand the bargraph scale fivefold about the present reading

Expanding the bargraph scale for detailed viewing.

2.4.6.5 To measure Total Energy Exposure

Measuring cumulative laser energy exposure over time.

Chapter 1 Introduction: How to Use This Manual

Chapter 3 The Nova Display Unit

3.1 General Description

Overview of the Nova display unit's features and capabilities.

3.2 Smart Connectors and Multihead Operation

How smart connectors enable multihead operation.

3.3 Soft Keys and Menu Button

Explanation of the soft keys and menu button functionality.

3.3.2 Soft Keys

How soft keys function and change based on context.

3.4 Power Up and Shut Down

Procedures for powering the Nova on and off.

3.5 Nova Functions which are independent of Head Type

Functions not dependent on the connected head type.

3.5.1 Line Frequency

Setting the line frequency for optimal performance.

3.5.2 Zero Adjustments

Performing zero adjustments for instrument accuracy.

3.5.3 Baud Rate

Setting the baud rate for PC communication.

3.6 Backlight

Information on the display backlight operation.

3.7 Kickstand

Description of the built-in kickstand for display positioning.

3.8 Charging

Battery charging procedures and battery life.

3.9 Chart Recording

Using the analog output for chart recorders.

3.10 Beam Splitter Function

Using the beam splitter function for displaying pre-attenuation values.

Chapter 4 Operation with Thermopile Absorber Heads

4.1 Thermopile Absorber Heads

Description of thermopile absorber heads and their operation.

4.2 Selecting Settings from the Nova Screen

Configuring Nova settings via the screen interface.

4.2.1 To Set Type of Laser being Used:

Setting the laser type for accurate thermopile measurements.

4.2.2 To choose Manual or Automatic Ranging in Power Measurement:

Selecting manual or automatic ranging for power measurements.

4.2.3 To choose Power or Energy Measurement

Switching between power and energy measurement modes.

4.3 Startup and Configuration of Defaults

Setting up and saving default configurations for startup.

4.4 Power Measurement

Procedures for measuring laser power.

4.4.1 Power Measurement, Basic Operation

Basic steps for performing laser power measurements.

4.4.2 Advanced Power Measurement Features

Advanced features for power measurement.

4.4.2.1 Zoom

Using the zoom function to expand the bargraph scale.

4.4.2.2 Offset

Subtracting background or residual signals using the offset function.

4.4.2.3 Tune (See Figure 5)

Using the tune function for laser power optimization.

4.4.2.4 Powerlog (See figure 6)

Using Powerlog mode to graph power vs. time.

4.4.2.5 Average

Measuring average power over a selected period.

4.4.2.6 Attenuation Screen

Scaling measurements to display pre-attenuation values.

4.5 Energy Measurement

Procedures for measuring laser energy.

4.5.1 Setup

Setting up the Nova for energy measurement.

4.5.2 Measurement

Performing single pulse energy measurements.

4.5.3 Minimum Energy Threshold

Setting minimum energy threshold to avoid spurious triggers.

4.5.4 Measuring Pulses of Very Low Energy

Methods for measuring very low energy pulses accurately.

4.5.5 Measuring Energy of Rapidly Repeating Pulses

Measuring energy of rapid pulses and calculating average.

4.5.6 Energy Log

Displaying successive energy points in a bargraph.

Chapter 5 Operation with Photodiode Type Heads

5.1 Photodiode Heads

Description of photodiode heads and their operation.

5.2 Setting up the PD300 and 3A-IS to display the user's chosen wavelengths

Setting up photodiode heads for specific laser wavelengths.

5.3 Startup Defaults

Setting up default configurations for photodiode heads.

5.4 Selecting Settings from the Nova Screen

Selecting various parameters from the Nova screen.

5.4.1 To Set to the Laser Wavelength Being Used

Setting the laser wavelength for photodiode heads.

5.4.2 To choose Manual or Automatic Ranging or dBm

Choosing manual, automatic ranging, or dBm for measurements.

5.4.3 Operation with Filter In or Out

Operating with the built-in or removable filter.

5.4.4 Zoom

Using the zoom function to expand the bargraph scale.

5.4.5 Offset

Subtracting residual background using the offset function.

5.4.6 Tune and Powerlog

Using Tune and Powerlog functions for laser adjustment and graphing.

5.4.7 Average and Measuring Very Low Power Measurement

Measuring average power and very low power.

5.5 BC20 Heads for Scanned Beams

Information on BC20 heads for scanned beams.

5.5.1 General Description

General description of the BC20 scanned beam laser power meter.

5.5.2 Setting up the startup defaults

Setting startup defaults for BC20 heads.

5.5.3 Measuring Scanned Beams with the BC20

How to measure scanned beams using the BC20 head.

5.5.4 Spectral Response

Spectral response graph for the BC20 head.

5.6 Special Photodiode Heads

Information on special photodiode heads.

5.6.1 PD 300-BB Radiometer Head

Description of the PD300-BB Radiometer Head.

5.6.2 PD300-CIE Photometer Head

Description of the PD300-CIE Photometer Head.

Chapter 6 Operation with Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Heads

6.1 Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Detector Heads

Description of pyroelectric and photodiode energy detector heads.

6.2 Selecting Settings from the Nova Screen

Configuring Nova settings for energy heads.

6.2.1 Setting up the head to display the user's chosen wavelengths

Setting up energy heads for specific laser wavelengths.

6.2.2 Setup of Laser Pulse Length and Pulses / Sample

Setting up pulse length and number of pulses for averaging.

6.2.2.1 Laser Pulse Length

Setting the laser pulse length for accurate measurements.

6.2.2.2 Setup for Number of Pulses per Sample

Setting up to average over a number of pulses.

6.2.2.3 PD10 Photodiode Energy Head

Details on the PD10 Photodiode Energy Head.

6.2.2.4 PE-DIF diffuser heads

Setting up PE-DIF diffuser heads for IN or OUT operation.

6.3 Startup and Configuration of Defaults

Setting up and saving default configurations for energy heads.

6.4 Energy, Power or Exposure Measurement

Measuring energy, power, or exposure.

6.4.1 Energy Average Power and Frequency Measurement

Measuring pulse frequency and average power.

6.4.1.1 Energy Measurement

Performing pulse energy measurements.

6.4.1.2 Minimum Energy Threshold

Setting minimum energy threshold to avoid spurious triggers.

6.4.1.3 Power Measurement

Performing power measurements with energy heads.

6.4.2 Zoom

Using the zoom function to expand the bargraph scale.

6.4.3 Measuring Total Energy Exposure.

Measuring cumulative energy exposure over time.

6.4.4 Pyro Scope Adapter

Using the Pyro Scope Adapter for oscilloscope display.

6.5 Measuring Repeating Pulses of High Energy

Measuring high energy repeating pulses and options.

6.6 Energy Log

Accessing the energy log feature.

Chapter 7 Circuit Description

Chapter 8 Calibration, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

8.1 Calibration of Thermopile Heads

Calibration procedures for thermopile heads.

8.1.1 Absorber types and Method of Calibration of Ophir Power Meters

Types of absorbers and calibration methods for power meters.

8.1.1.1 Types of Ophir Laser Absorbers

Different types of laser absorbers used in Ophir heads.

8.1.1.2 Method of Calibration

Detailed method for calibrating thermal absorbers.

8.1.2 Linearity and Accuracy of Ophir Thermal Heads

Accuracy and linearity specifications for thermal heads.

8.1.2.2 Total Accuracy of Calibration

Overall accuracy of calibration against NIST standards.

8.1.3 Calibration Factor

Understanding and using the calibration factor.

8.1.4 Recalibration of Thermopil Heads Using the Nova

Recalibrating thermopile heads using the Nova unit.

8.1.4.1 Guidelines for using the CAL resistor for calibration:

Guidelines for using the CAL resistor during calibration.

8.1.4.2 Recalibration of Power using the Built in CAL Resistor

Recalibrating power using the built-in CAL resistor.

8.1.4.3 Recalibration from a Known Source of Laser Power / Energy

Recalibrating from an external known power/energy source.

8.2 Calibration of Photodiode type Heads

Calibration procedures for photodiode type heads.

8.2.1 Method of Factory Calibration

Factory calibration method for photodiode sensors.

8.2.2 Accuracy of Calibration of PD300 and 3A-IS Heads

Accuracy of calibration for PD300 and 3A-IS heads.

8.2.3 Accuracy of calibration of BC20 Heads

Accuracy of calibration for BC20 heads.

8.2.4 Recalibration of PD300 and 3A-IS Heads from a Known Source of Laser Power

Recalibrating PD300/3A-IS heads from a known power source.

8.2.5 Recalibration of BC20 heads from a Known Source of Laser Power

Recalibrating BC20 heads from a known power source.

8.3 Calibration of Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Heads

Calibration of pyroelectric and photodiode energy heads.

8.3.1 Method of Calibration

Calibration method for pyroelectric sensors.

8.3.2 Accuracy of Calibration

Accuracy of calibration for pyroelectric sensors.

8.3.3 Recalibration from a Known Source of Laser Energy

Recalibrating from a known laser energy source.

8.4 Error Messages

Display of various error messages and their meanings.

8.5 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting common issues with the Nova.

8.5.1 Nova Display

Troubleshooting issues related to the Nova display.

8.5.2 Thermal Heads, Energy Measurements

Troubleshooting thermal heads for energy measurements.

8.5.3 Thermal Heads, Power

Troubleshooting thermal heads for power measurements.

8.5.4 Pyroelectric Heads

Troubleshooting issues with pyroelectric heads.

8.6 Maintenance

Maintenance procedures for the Nova and its heads.

8.6.1 Maintenance of Thermal Heads

Maintenance procedures specific to thermal heads.

8.6.1.1 Tracing the Signal from the Head to the Nova

Tracing signal flow from head to Nova for diagnostics.

8.6.1.2 Disc Replacement

Procedures for replacing the absorber disc in thermal heads.

8.6.1.3 Recalibrating the Head to a new Disc

Recalibrating the head after disc replacement.

8.6.2 Replacing Battery

Procedure for replacing the internal battery.

Chapter 9 Nova Specifications

9.1 System/Display Specifications

Detailed specifications for the Nova system and display unit.

9.2 Head Specifications

Specifications for various Ophir measurement heads.