MOGlabs FSC100 - Laser and Controller Configuration

To Next Page

To Previous Page

20 Chapter 3. Operation

3.1 Laser and controller conﬁguration

The FSC is compatible with a variety of lasers and controllers, provi-

ded they are correctly conﬁgured for the desired mode of operation.

When driving an ECDL (such as the MOGLabs CEL or LDL lasers), the

requirements for the laser and controller are as follows:

• High-bandwidth modulation directly into the laser headboard.

• High-voltage piezo control from an external control signal.

• Feed-forward (“bias current”) generation for lasers that re-

quire a bias of & 1 mA across their scan range

MOGLabs laser controllers and headboards can be easily conﬁgured

to achieve the required behaviour, as explained below.

3.1.1 Headboard conﬁguration

MOGLabs lasers include an internal headboard that interfaces the

components with the controller. A headboard that includes fast cur-

rent modulation via an SMA connector is required for operation with

the FSC. The headboard should be connected directly to the FSC

“FAST OUT”.

The B1240 headboard is strongly recommended for maximum modu-

lation bandwidth, although the B1040 is an acceptable substitute for

lasers that are incompatible with the B1240. The headboard has a

number of jumper switches which much be conﬁgured for DC coupled

and buﬀered (“BUF”) input, where applicable.

The FSC is capable of generating a bias current internally but the range is

limited by the headboard, and it may be necessary to use bias provided by the

laser controller.