THORLABS PM400 - SCPI Commands; An Introduction to the SCPI Language

© 2017 Thorlabs GmbH42
PM400
5.5 SCPI Commands
This section describes in detail the SCPI command set with respect to PM400 power meter
console. However, these commands are compatible with PM100A, PM100D and PM100USB
consoles as well as with the PM160 Hand-held Power Meter, except some console and sensor
related functions.
5.5.1 An Introduction to the SCPI language
The PM400 interface commands use the SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instru-
ments), an ASCII-based command language that was designed for test and measurement in-
struments.
SCPI commands are based on a hierarchical structure, also known as a tree system. In this
system, associated commands are grouped together under a common node or root, thus for-
ming subsystems. A portion of the SENSE subsystem is shown below to illustrate the tree sys-
tem.
SENSe:
CORRection
:COLLect
:ZERO
[:INITiate]
:ABORt
:STATe?
:MAGNitude?
:BEAMdiameter {MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault|<numeric_value>[mm]}
:BEAMdiameter? [{MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}]
:WAVelength {MINimum|MAXimum|<numeric_value>[nm]}
:WAVelength? [{MINimum|MAXimum}]
:POWer
[:PDIode]
[:RESPonse] MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault|<numeric_value>[A]}
[:RESPonse]? [{MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}]
:THERmopile
[:RESPonse] {MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault|<numeric_value>[V]}
[:RESPonse]? [{MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}]
SENSe is the root keyword of the command, CORRection is the second-level keyword, and
COLLect and BEAMdiameter are third-level keywords, and so on.
A colon ( : ) separates a command keyword from a lower-level keyword.
Command Format
The format used to show commands in this manual is shown below:
CURRent[:DC]:RANGe {MINimum|MAXimum|<numeric_value>[A]}
CORRection:BEAMdiameter {MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault|<numeric_value>[mm]}
The command syntax shows most commands (and some parameters) as a mixture of upper-
and lower-case letters. The upper-case letters indicate the abbreviated spelling for the com-
mand. For shorter program lines, send the abbreviated form. For better program readability,
send the long form.
For example, in the above syntax statement, CURR and CURRENT are both acceptable forms.
You can use upper- or lower-case letters. Therefore, CURRENT, current and Current are
all acceptable. Other forms, such as CUR and CURREN, will generate an error.