Nd:YAG Documentation

Quanta-Ray Lab-Series
Pulsed Nd:YAG Lasers
Users Manual
1335 Terra Bella Avenue

Mountain View, CA 94043
Part Number 0000-311A, Rev. A

June 2003
Preface
This manual contains information you need in order to safely install, align,
operate, maintain and service your Quanta-Ray Lab-Series pulsed Nd:YAG
laser on a day-to-day basis. Also described is the installation and operation
of the HG harmonic generator and IHS internal harmonic separator. The
system comprises three main elements: the Lab-Series laser head, the
power supply and a table-top controller. (The system can also be controlled
remotely via the front panel RS-232 serial port.) An optional Model WA-1
heat exchanger may also be present.
The Introduction contains a brief description of these three components
and is followed by an important chapter on laser safety. The Lab-Series is a
Class IV laser and, as such, emits laser radiation which can permanently
damage eyes and skin, ignite fires and vaporize substances. Moreover,
focused back-reflections of even a small percentage of its output energy
can destroy expensive internal optical components. This section contains
information about these hazards and offers suggestions on how to safe-
guard against them. To minimize the risk of injury or expensive repairs, be
sure to read this chapterthen carefully follow these instructions. This
chapter also contains information regarding system compliance to CDRH
and CE regulations.
Laser Description contains a short section on laser theory regarding the
Nd:YAG crystal rods that are used in the Lab-Series laser. Also included is
a discussion of the second, third and fourth harmonic laser output gener-
ated by the system. Following this is a more detailed description of the
Lab-Series laser system, concluding with system specifications and outline
drawings.
The next few chapters describe the Lab-Series controls and interconnects,
and guide you through its installation, alignment and operation. The last
part of the manual covers maintenance and service and includes a replace-
ment parts list and a list of world-wide Spectra-Physics service centers you
can call if you need help. Appendix A is a Programming Reference Guide
for those who wish to operate the laser system automatically.
Whereas the Maintenance section contains information you need to keep
your laser clean and operational on a day-to-day basis, Service and
Repair is intended to help you guide your Spectra-Physics field service
engineer to the source of any problems. Do not attempt repairs yourself
while the unit is still under warranty; instead, report all problems to Spectra-
Physics for warranty repair.
iii
Quanta-Ray Lab-Series Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser System
This product has been tested and found to conform to Directive 89/336/
EEC for electromagnetic Compatibility. Class A compliance was demon-
strated for EN 50081-2:1993 Emissions and EN 50082-1:1992 Immu-
nity as listed in the official Journal of the European Communities. It also
meets the intent of Directive 73/23/EEC for Low Voltage. Class A com-
pliance was demonstrated for EN 61010-1:1993 Safety Requirements for
Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory use and
EN 60825-1:2001 Radiation Safety for Laser Products. Refer to the CE
Declaration of Conformity statements in Chapter 2.
Should you experience any problems with any equipment purchased from
Spectra-Physics, or you are in need of technical information or support,
please contact Spectra-Physics as described in Customer Service. This
chapter contains a list of world-wide Spectra-Physics service centers you
can call if you need help.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is
accurate. All information in this document is subject to change without
notice. Spectra-Physics makes no representation or warranty, either express
or implied, with respect to this document. In no event will Spectra-Physics
be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential dam-
ages resulting from any defects in this documentation.
Finally, if you encounter any difficulty with the content or style of this
manual, or encounter problems with the laser itself, please let us know. The
last page of this manual is a form to aid in bringing such problems to our
attention.
Thank you for your purchase of Quanta-Ray Spectra-Physics instruments.
iv
CE Environmental Specifications
CE Electrical Equipment Requirements

For information regarding the equipment needed to provide the electrical
service listed under Service Requirements at the end of Chapter 3, please
refer to specification EN-309, Plug, Outlet and Socket Couplers for Indus-
trial Uses, listed in the official Journal of the European Communities.
Environmental Specifications
The environmental conditions under which the laser system will function
are listed below:
Indoor use
Altitude: up to 2000 m
Temperatures: 10 C to 40 C
Maximum relative humidity: 80% non-condensing for temperatures up to
31 C.
Mains supply voltage: do not exceed 10% of the nominal voltage
Insulation category: II
Pollution degree: 2
v
Table of Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
CE Environmental Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
CE Electrical Equipment Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Warning Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
Standard Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
Unpacking and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii

Unpacking Your Laser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Accessory Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

The Quanta-Ray Lab-Series Pulsed Nd:YAG Lasers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
The Laser Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
The Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
The Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
The Lab-Series Advantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Chapter 2: Laser Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Precautions For The Safe Operation Of Class IV High Power Lasers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Safety Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Emission Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
MONITOR: PoWeR ON Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
MONITOR: INTERLOCK Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
REMOTE INTERLOCK Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Cover Safety Interlocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
POWER Keyswitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
POWER Circuit Breaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Focused Back-Reflection Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Maintenance Necessary to Keep this Laser Product in Compliance with Center for Devices
and Radiological Health (CDRH) Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
CE/CDRH Radiation Control Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Label Translations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
CE Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Sources for Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Laser Safety Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Equipment and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
vii
Chapter 3: Laser Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

A Brief Review of Ion Laser Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
Emission and Absorption of Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
Population Inversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Nd:YAG as an Excitation Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Q-switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
Resonant Optical Cavity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
Longitudinal Modes and Linewidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Producing Other Wavelengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8
Resonator Structural Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
Pulse Triggering Sequence and Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9
General Note on Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Laser Output Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12
Outline Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-14
Chapter 4: Controls, Indicators and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

The Laser Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
End Connector Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
The Marx Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
The Seeder Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
The Emission Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
The Power Supply Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
The Power Supply Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8
The Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
The GUI Software Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Setting Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Information Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14
Chapter 5: Installation and Alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Installing the Laser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Connecting the Electrical Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Connecting the Power Supply and Laser Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Connecting the Harmonic Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Filling the Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Installing the Lab-Series GUI Software for Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5
Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
Chapter 6: Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Operation Using the Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1
Quick Start/Stop Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2
Standard Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2
Operation Using the GUI Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5
Quick Start/Stop Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5
Standard Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6
Moving the Laser System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-8
Chapter 7: Harmonic Generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Harmonic Generator Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-1
Harmonic Generator Temperature Controller Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
Installing the Harmonic Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
viii
Table of Contents
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Type I and II Crystals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Second Harmonic (types I and II), and Third and Fourth Harmonic Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Chapter 8: Internal Harmonic Separator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Dichroics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
IHS System Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
System Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Removing the Beam Dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Installing the IHS Mirror Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Replacing the Dichroic Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Operating the IHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Removing/Replacing the Beam Dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Chapter 9: Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Preventive Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Cleaning Laser Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Equipment Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Cleaning Prisms, Mirrors and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Maintaining the Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Maintaining the Harmonic Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Replacing the Deionizing Water Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Tools needed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Replacing the Particulate Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Tools needed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Replacing the Air Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Tools needed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Replacing the Flash Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Chapter 10: Service and Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

General Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Enabling Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Analog Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Local/Remote Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Q-switch Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Q-switch Advanced Sync Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Mode Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Q-switch Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Single-Shot Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
LAMP ON Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
STOP/ENABLE buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Interlock Logic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Pulse-Forming Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Flash Lamp Simmer Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Shipping the Laser and Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Draining the Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
ix
Chapter 11: Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-1
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-1
Return of the Instrument for Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-2
Service Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3
Appendix A: Status/Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Appendix B: Programming Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Notes
Report Form for Problems and Solutions
List of Figures
Figure 1-1: The Lab-Series Laser Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
Figure 1-2: The Lab-Series Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Figure 1-3: The Lab-Series Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Figure 2-1: This CE standard safety warning labels would be appropriate for use as an
entry warning sign (EN 60825-1, ANSI 4.3.10.1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Figure 2-2: Optical Beam Dump, Model BD-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Figure 2-3: Laser Head Emission Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Figure 2-4: The Lab-Series Power supply Control Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Figure 2-5: The Lab-Series Power supply Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Figure 2-6: Interlock Switches, Laser Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Figure 2-7:Interlock Switch, Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Figure 2-8: CE/CDRH Radiation Control Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Figure 3-1: Electrons occupy distinct orbitals that are defined by the probability of finding
an electron at a given position, the shape of the orbital being determined by the radial and
angular dependence of the probability. Shown is an s orbital on the left, a p type on the right. 3-2
Figure 3-2: A Typical Four-level Transition Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
Figure 3-3: Energy Level Scheme for the Nd:YAG Laser Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Figure 3-4: The Q-switch comprises a polarizer, a quarter-wave polarization rotator, and a
Pockels cell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
Figure 3-5: Stable and Unstable Resonator Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
Figure 3-6: Frequency distribution of longitudinal modes for a single line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Figure 3-7: Simplified Block Diagram of the Lab-Series electronics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10
Figure 3-8: Lab-Series Timing Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-11
Figure 3-9: Outline Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-14
Figure 4-1: An isometric view of the internal components of the Lab-series laser head. . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
Figure 4-2: Laser Head Rear Panel Controls and Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Figure 4-3: The Laser Head Side Panel Injection Seeder Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Figure 4-4: Laser Head Emission Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Figure 4-5: The Power Supply Front Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
Figure 4-6: The 9-Pin SERIAL COM Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Figure 4-7: The Power Supply Rear Connector Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-8
Figure 4-8: The Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
Figure 4-9: The Main Menu Showing all Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Figure 4-10: The Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Figure 4-11: The Information Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14
Figure 5-1: The location of the autotransformer in the power supply. Taps shown for
operating voltages ranging from 190 to 260 Vac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Figure 5-2: Location of system fuses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
x
Table of Contents
Figure 5-3: The Lab-series laser head showing connections for the umbilical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Figure 5-4: Cooling System Component Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Figure 6-1: The Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Figure 6-2: Burn Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Figure 6-3: The Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Figure 6-4: Burn Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Figure 7-1: HG and Temperature Controller Component Identification. The controller is
located inside the laser head near the HG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Figure 7-2: Controller shown behind the HG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Figure 8-1: The various mounting and output options for the Lab-Series laser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Figure 8-2: Single wavelength: second, third or fourth harmonic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Figure 8-3: Dual wavelength: Second, third or forth harmonic plus the fundamental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Figure 8-4: The IHS dichroic mirrors shown in the normal position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Figure 8-5: The IHS Mirror Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Figure 8-6: Model BD-6 water-cooled beam dump showing mounting screws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Figure 9-1: Lens Tissue Folded for Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Figure 9-2: Cooling system component identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Figure 9-3: Short together posts A and B to prevent shock when servicing the flash lamps. . . . . . . . 9-8
Figure 10-1: Cooling system component identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Figure 10-2: Laser head showing coolant connections on the left. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
List of Tables
Table 2-1 : Label Translations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Table 3-1 : Power Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Table 3-2 : Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Table 3-3 : Mode and Pulse Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Table 3-4: Beam Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Table 3-5: Service Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Table 4-1: The SERIAL COM Port Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Table 7-1: Controller Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Table 7-2: Summary of Translation Arm Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Table 7-3: Summary of HG Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Table 10-1: Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Table A-1: Status/Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
xi
xii
Warning Conventions
The following warnings are used throughout this manual to draw your
attention to situations or procedures that require extra attention. They warn
of hazards to your health, damage to equipment, sensitive procedures, and
exceptional circumstances. All messages are set apart by a thin line above
and below the text as shown here.
Danger! Laser radiation is present.

Laser Radiation
Danger! Condition or action may present a hazard to personal safety.
Danger! Condition or action may present an electrical hazard to personal

safety.
Warning! Condition or action may cause damage to equipment.
Warning! Action may cause electrostatic discharge and cause damage to equip-
ESD ment.
Caution! Condition or action may cause poor performance or error.
Note Text describes exceptional circumstances or makes a special refer-

ence.
Don't Do not touch.

Touch!
Appropriate laser safety eyewear should be worn during this opera-

Eyewear
Required tion.
Refer to the manual before operating or using this device.
xiii
Standard Units
The following units, abbreviations, and prefixes are used in this Spectra-
Physics manual:
Quantity Unit Abbreviation

mass kilogram kg
length meter m
time second s
frequency hertz Hz
force newton N
energy joule J
power watt W
electric current ampere A
electric charge coulomb C
electric potential volt V
resistance ohm
inductance henry H
magnetic flux weber Wb
magnetic flux density tesla T
luminous intensity candela cd
temperature celcius C
pressure pascal Pa
capacitance farad F
angle radian rad
Prefixes
tera 12
(10 ) T deci (10-1) d nano (10-9) n
giga 9
(10 ) G centi -2
(10 ) c pico (10 ) -12
p
mega 6
(10 ) M mill -3
(10 ) m femto (10 ) -15
f
kilo 3
(10 ) k micro -6
(10 ) atto (10 ) -18
a
xv
Unpacking and Inspection
Unpacking Your Laser

Your Quanta-Ray Lab-Series pulsed Nd:YAG laser was packed with great
care, and its container was inspected prior to shipmentit left Spectra-
Physics in good condition. Upon receiving your system, immediately
inspect the outside of the shipping containers. If there is any major damage
(holes in the containers, crushing, etc.), insist that a representative of the
carrier be present when you unpack the contents.
Carefully inspect your laser system as you unpack it. If any damage is evi-
dent, such as dents or scratches on the covers or broken knobs, etc., imme-
diately notify the carrier and your Spectra-Physics sales representative.
Keep the shipping containers. If you file a damage claim, you may need
them to demonstrate that the damage occurred as a result of shipping. If
you need to return the system for service at a later date, the specially
designed container assures adequate protection.
System Components
The following components comprise the Lab-Series pulsed Nd:YAG laser
system:
Nd:YAG laser head
Power supply
Controller
Verify all three components are present. Each component is shipped in a
separate container.
Accessory Kit
Included with the laser system is this manual, a packing slip listing all the
parts shipped, and an accessory kit containing the following items:
US or European (German) power cord for the controller, 2 m
table clamp kit: 4 clamps and hardware
a Bondhus SAE Allen wrench set
a 5/32 in. ball driver
01 SCFH air flow gauge for nitrogen purge
purge hose adaptor couplings
garden hose couplings with in. barbs
spare fuses
xvii
alignment pinhole
Infrared card
CD-ROM with GUI software for remote operation from a Windows-
based PC.
xviii
Chapter 1 Introduction
The Quanta-Ray Lab-Series Pulsed Nd:YAG Lasers

The Quanta-Ray Lab-Series Nd:YAG laser comprises the laser head (Fig-
ure 1-1 with the cover removed), a table-top controller (Figure 1-2) and a
power supply (Figure 1-3). The system is controlled locally using the small
controller that is provided with the system, or remotely via a computer con-
nected to the RS-232 serial port located on the front of the power supply.
Provided on the side of the laser head are controls for operating the
optional injection seeder. Chapter 3 explains how the laser works. Chapter
4 explains the functions of all the various system parts and controls. The
following is a brief description of the system.
The Laser Head

The Lab-Series Nd:YAG laser is a pulsed, oscillator-only system config-
ured with either two pump chamber assemblies with one flash lamp each
(for high power), or a single pump chamber assembly with two flash lamps
(for high rep. rate). The 1064 nm oscillator is typically followed by the
optional harmonic generation (HG) stage that can be set to generate 532,
355 or 266 nm output wavelengths. The HG is followed by a pair of dich-
roic mirrors that reflect the desired harmonic as laser output, while trans-
mitting the undesired wavelengths into a beam dump.
Figure 1-1: The Lab-Series Laser Head
1-1
The Controller
Figure 1-2: The Lab-Series Controller

The easy-to-use controller employs conventional knobs and switches for
setting and controlling the various system parameters. It provides control
from virtually any point in the laboratory via an 8-foot cable that plugs into
the REMOTE connector on the front of the power supply. For remote control
from a computer or terminal, an RS-232C serial port is provided on the
front of the power supply. In addition, an IEEE-488 interface can be
optionally installed for system control.
The Power Supply
Figure 1-3: The Lab-Series Power Supply

The power supply houses the ac/dc power supplies, the PFN simmer power
supply (which stores the power required to flash the lamps at a given rate)
and the flash lamp power supplies (which provides the energy in the first
place). An RS-232C serial port is provided on the front panel for remote
control of the system. An optional IEEE-488 parallel interface is also avail-
able for remote control.
1-2
Introduction
The power supply is water cooled and requires an external source of clean
cooling water. (The optional Model WA-1 water-to-air heat exchanger can
be used for this purpose when plentiful clean water is not available.) For
electrical power, 190250 Vac, 35 A is required for 10 Hz systems, 40 A
for 30 Hz system and 55 A for 50 Hz systems.
The Lab-Series Advantage

Easy-to-use controller
Dichroic mirror mounts that provide excellent beam pointing perfor-
mance (50 rad)
Diffused gold reflectors for optimum mode control over time
Sealed dust tubes with nitrogen purge to improve system cleanliness
Highest damage threshold optics in the industry
Single-rod oscillator design for high rep-rate operation
Dual-rod oscillator design for high power models
Ventilated cover design for system stability
Patents
The Quanta-Ray Lab-Series laser systems are manufactured under one or
more of the following U. S. patents:
4,156,209 4,232,276
4,197,513 4.955,725
4,936,932 4,232,272
4,310,808 4,342,113
4,360,925 5,001,716
1-3
1-4
Chapter 2 Laser Safety
Danger! This Spectra-Physics Quanta-Ray Lab-Series Laser is a Class IVHigh

Laser Radiation Power Laser whose beam is, by definition, a safety and fire hazard. Take
precautions to prevent accidental exposure to both direct and reflected
beams. Diffuse as well as specular beam reflections can cause severe
eye or skin damage.
Because the 1064 nm output beam and some of its harmonics are invisi-
ble, they are especially dangerous. Infrared radiation passes easily
through the cornea, which, when focussed on the retina, can cause
instantaneous permanent damage.
Precautions For The Safe Operation

Of Class IV High Power Lasers
Wear protective eyewear at all times; selection depends on the wave-
Eyewear length and intensity of the radiation, the conditions of use and the
Required
visual function required. Protective eyewear is available from suppliers
listed in the Laser Focus World, Lasers and Optronics, and Photonics
Spectra buyers guides. Consult the ANSI and ACGIH standards listed
at the end of this section for guidance.
To avoid unnecessary radiation exposure, keep the protective cover on
the laser head at all times.
Avoid looking at the output beam; even diffuse reflections are hazard-
ous.
Avoid blocking the output beam or its reflections with any part of the
body.
Avoid wearing reflective jewelry while using the laser.
Use an infrared detector or energy detector to verify the laser beam is
off before working in front of the laser.
Operate the laser at the lowest beam intensity possible, given the
requirements of the application.
Operate in the long pulse mode whenever possible, especially during
alignment of the experiment.
Expand the beam whenever possible to reduce beam intensity.
Establish a controlled access area for laser operation. Limit access to
those trained in the principles of laser safety.
Set up experiments so the laser beam is either above or below eye
level.
2-1
Provide enclosures for beam paths whenever possible.

Maintain a high ambient light level in the laser operation area so the
eyes pupil remains constricted, reducing the possibility of damage.
Set up shields to prevent any unnecessary specular reflections.
Post prominent warning signs near the laser operating area (Figure 2-1).
Set up an energy absorbing beam trap to capture the laser beam and
prevent accidental exposure to unnecessary reflections or scattering
(Figure 2-2).
VISIBLE AND/OR INVISIBLE*

LASER RADIATION
AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO
DIRECT OR SCATTERED RADIATION
CLASS 4 LASER PRODUCT
Nd: YAG/1.5J/8ns
*SEE MANUAL 0451-8090
Figure 2-1: This CE standard safety warning labels would be appropri-

ate for use as an entry warning sign (EN 60825-1, ANSI 4.3.10.1).
ics
ys
-Ph
tra
pec
S
Figure 2-2: Optical Beam Dump, Model BD-5
Caution! Use of controls or adjustments, or performance of procedures other than

those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
Operating this laser without due regard for these precautions or in a manner
that does not comply with recommended procedures may be dangerous. At
all times during installation, maintenance or service of your laser, avoid
unnecessary exposure to laser or collateral radiation* that exceeds the
accessible emission limits listed in Performance Standards for Laser Prod-
ucts, United States Code of Federal Regulations, 21CFR1040.10(d).
Follow the instructions contained in this manual to ensure proper installa-
tion and safe operation of your laser.
*
Any electronic product radiation, except laser radiation, emitted by a laser product as a
result of or necessary for the operation of a laser incorporated into that product.
2-2
Laser Safety
Safety Devices
Emission Indicator
When on, the amber lamp on the laser head (Figure 2-3) indicates that
power is being supplied to the laser head and that emission is present or
imminent.
Figure 2-3: Laser Head Emission Indicator
MONITOR: PoWeR ON Indicator
When on, this green LED in the upper left corner of the power supply (Fig-
ure 2-4) indicates that ac power is applied to the system. However, the sys-
tem will not turn on until the interlock keyswitch is also turned on.
COMPUTER
RS232C
SHOTS X100
MONITOR INPUT OUTPUT REMOTE
PWR INTERLOCK LOW LASER Q-SW LAMP ANALOG Q-SW LAMP Q-SW
ON FAULT WATER ID TRIG TRIG STROBE SYNC SYNC ADV SYNC
POWER
0
Figure 2-4: The Lab-Series Power supply Control Panel.
2-3
Reservoir Level SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS

P.O. BOX 7013
MT. VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94039-7013
Indicator NORMAL
OPERATING
MANUFACTURING DATE:
MODEL
S/N
THIS LASER PRODUCT COMPLIES
WITH 21 CFR 1040 AS APPLICABLE
MADE IN U.S.A.
Remote Interlock
RANGE
Umbilical Connector REMOTE

INTERLOCK System WATER IN Connector
Power Cord WATER IN

System WATER OUT Connector
WATER OUT
Power Requirement Label
Figure 2-5: The Lab-Series Power supply Rear Panel.
MONITOR: INTERLOCK Indicator
When on, this LED indicates there is a system interlock fault. Once the
fault is corrected, this light turns off.
REMOTE INTERLOCK Connector
This safety interlock connector on the power supply rear panel (Figure 2-5)
provides a means to include an external normally closed safety switch in
the interlock loop that turns off the laser in the event the safety switch is
opened. To use this interlock, remove the jumper plug from the INTERLOCK
connector, and either remove the jumper inside or use a similar connector
without a jumper to wire to a perimeter safety switch. The switch can be
attached to an access door or to other auxiliary safety equipment. Wire the
switch as normally closed so that when the door or safety device is
opened and the switch opens, the power to the laser is immediately turned
off, thus preventing unaware personnel from getting hurt.
The power supply is shipped with a 2-pin shorting jumper plug installed
that defeats (closes) this interlock when it is not used. This jumpered con-
nector or an external safety switch wired to it must be in place in order for
the laser to operate.
Cover Safety Interlocks
Figure 2-6: Interlock Switches, Laser Head.

2-4
Laser Safety
Figure 2-7:Interlock Switch, Power Supply.

The LASER HEAD connector is also part of the interlock loop: if the laser
head cable is disconnected, the diode pump laser in the power supply is
turned off.
The laser head and power supply covers are interlocked. Therefore, the
laser shuts off whenever either cover is removed. For troubleshooting, a
bypass is built into each switch so that the service engineer can pull up on
the switch to close the interlock with the cover off. For safety, replacing the
cover will activate the switch again and turn off the laser.
Danger! Collateral radiation! While the laser head cover is removed, be

Laser Radiation extremely careful to avoid exposure to laser or collateral radiation.
POWER Keyswitch
Located in the lower right-hand corner of the power supply control panel
(Figure 2-4), the POWER keyswitch provides interlock safety to prevent
unauthorized personnel from using the Lab-Series system when the key is
turned to the off position and is removed from the switch. Turning the
key to the on position closes the interlock and allows the system to be
energized if all the other interlocks are closed and the circuit breaker switch
is on. If the keyswitch is set to off but the circuit breaker is on, power is still
supplied to the harmonic generator ovens to keep the crystals warm.
POWER Circuit Breaker

Provides ac power to the system and to the harmonic generator ovens. The
power keyswitch must also be on in order for the system to operate. Turn-
ing off the power circuit breaker removes all ac power from the system and
turns off the harmonic generator ovens.
2-5
Focused Back-Reflection Safety

Focused back-reflections of even a small percentage of the output energy of
any Lab-Series laser can destroy its optical components. To illustrate, con-
sider an uncoated convex lens, which reflects about 4% of the energy inci-
dent on each of its surfaces. While the reflection off the first surface
diverges harmlessly, the reflection off the second surface focuses, and the
power density at the point of focus is high enough to destroy the Q-switch,
Nd:YAG rod and the output coupler of the laser. Even anti-reflection coated
optics can reflect enough energy to damage laser optical components.
To avoid laser damage, minimize back-reflections of its output beam and,
where they are unavoidable, direct them away from the optical axis.
Warning! Your Quanta-Ray warranty does not cover damage caused by focused
back-reflections.
Maintenance Necessary to Keep this Laser Product

in Compliance with Center for Devices
and Radiological Health (CDRH) Regulations
This laser product complies with Title 21 of the United States Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, chapter 1, subchapter J, parts 1040.10 and 1040.11, as
applicable. To maintain compliance with these regulations, once a year, or
whenever the product has been subjected to adverse environmental condi-
tions (e.g., fire, flood, mechanical shock, spilled solvent, etc.), check to see
that all features of the product identified below function properly. Also,
make sure that all warning labels remain firmly attached (refer to the
CDRH/CE drawing later in this chapter).
1. Verify removing the AUXILIARY INTERLOCK plug on the power supply
prevents laser operation.
2. Verify the laser will only operate with the key switch in the ON posi-
tion, and that the key can only be removed when the switch is in the
OFF position.
3. Verify the emission indicator on the laser head works properly; that is,
it emits a visible signal whenever the laser is on.
4. Verify the time delay between turn-on of the emission indicator and
starting of the laser gives enough warning to allow action to avoid
exposure to laser radiation.
5. Verify that removing the laser head or power supply cover shuts off the
laser.
6. Verify that when the laser head cover interlock is defeated, the defeat
mechanism is clearly visible and prevents installation of the cover until
it is removed.
2-6
Laser Safety
CE/CDRH Radiation Control Drawing

Interlock
Switch
1 2 3 Power On
LED
VISIBLE
AND INVISIBLE*
LASER RADIATION IS
EMITTED FROM THIS APERTURE
*SEE MANUAL
11
AVOID EXPOSURE
8 Remote Keyswitch
NORMAL
OPERATING
FUSES
30A/250VAC
MODEL
S/N
SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS
P.O. BOX 7013
MANUFACTURING DATE:

WA-1
Interlock
10
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANGE INTERFACE
REMOTE
INTERLOCK
Power Breaker
Switch
WATER IN
WATER OUT
Laser Head, Output End Power Supply, Water Supply End Power Supply, Control Panel
7 2
Interlock
Switch
STBY ON RESET Q-SW PIEZO FREQ

VISIBLE AND/OR INVISIBLE*
LASER RADIATION
AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO DIRECT OR
SCATTERED RADIATION
CLASS 4 LASER PRODUCT ON MNL DSBL BLD UP TIME VOLT OFFSET
Controller
AUTO
Nd: YAG/1.5J/8ns
Emission
4 3 11 12 5 6 Laser Head, Side View 7
Indicator Quanta-Ray
SIMMER ERROR
START 10 START 10 MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX

OSC AMP ADV SYNC VARIABLE Q-SW DELAY
VAR LP
LAMP ENERGY FIXED EXT Q-SW EXT
VISIBLE SOURCE MODE
AND INVISIBLE*
SINGLE SHOT INHIBIT OFF ON
LASER RADIATION IS INT
EMITTED FROM THIS APERTURE
*SEE MANUAL
FIRE REP COMPUTER LAMP ON STOP ENABLE
AVOID EXPOSURE
CDRH Aperture CE Aperture CE Certification Lamp Inhibit Power On

Label (1) Label (2) Label (3) Switch Emission
Indicator
VISIBLE AND/OR INVISIBLE* CAUTION DANGER DANGER

LASER RADIATION
AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE TO DIRECT OR V I S I B L E A N D I N V I S I B L E
SCATTERED RADIATION VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE*
CLASS 4 LASER PRODUCT HAZARDOUS ELECTROMAGNETIC AND INTERLOCK DEFEATED. LASER RADIATION WHEN
Nd: YAG/1.5J/8ns
RADIATION WHEN OPEN AND AVOID EYE OR SKIN EXPOSURE
TO DIRECT OR SCATTERED
OPEN-AVOID SKIN OR EYE
INTERLOCK DEFEATED*
RADIATION.*
EXPOSURE TO DIRECT OR
SCATTERED RADIATION
*SEE MANUAL 0451-8090 *SEE MANUAL *SEE MANUAL *SEE MANUAL
CE Danger Label CDRH Caution Label CDRH Danger Label CDRH Danger Label
(4) Interlock Defeated EMI (5) Interlock Defeated (6) Non-Interlocked (7)
FUSES FUSES
30A/250VAC or 50A/250VAC
SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS
P.O. BOX 7013 Spectra-Physics Lasers
1330 TERRA BELLA AVENUE
Fuse Label MT. VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94039-7013 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. 94043
Near Fuses Inside (8) 190 260V~,60/50Hz, 30 A MANUFACTURING DATE:

THIS PRODUCT IS MANUFACTURED
UNDER ONE OR MORE OF THE
MODEL FOLLOWING U.S.A. PATENTS:
REPLACE THE BATTERY WITH THE SAME OR EQUIVALENT

or S/N
4,156,209
4,197,513
4,32,2762
4,955,725
TYPE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS LASER PRODUCT COMPLIES 4,935,932 4,232,272
4,310,808 4,342,113
DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING WITH 21 CFR 1040 AS APPLICABLE 4,360,925 5,001,716
TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. 190 260V~,60/50Hz, 50 A MADE IN U.S.A. 0004-0363
Battery Replacement Input Voltage Serial Number Label Patent Label (12)
Label (9) Labels (10) CDRH (11)
Figure 2-8: CE/CDRH Radiation Control Drawing
2-7
Label Translations
For safety, the following translations are provided for non-English speak-
ing personnel. The number in parenthesis in the first column corresponds to
the label number listed on the previous page.
Table 2-1: Label Translations
Label # French German Spanish Dutch
Aperture Ouverture Laser - Expo- Austritt von sichtbarer Por esta abertura se Vanuit dit apertuur wordt
Label sition Dangereuse - Un und unsictbarer Laser- emite radiacion laser zichtbare en niet zicht-
(1) Rayonnement laser visi- strahlung; nicht dem visible e invisible; evite bare laser-straling gee-
ble et invisible est emis Strahl aussetzen. la exposicion. miteerd; vermijd
par cette ouverture. blootstellilng.
European Rayonnement Laser vis- Sichtbare und/oder Radiacion Laser visible Zichtbare en niet zicht-
Safety ible et invisible. Expos- unsichtbare Laserstrahl- y/o invisible. Evite que bare laserstraling. Ver-
(4) tion dangereuse de loeil ung. Bestrahlung von los ojos y la piel queden mijd blootstelling van
ou de la peau au Rayon- Aude oder Haut durch expuestos tanto a la huid of oog aan directe
nement direct ou diffus. direkte oder Streustrahl- Radaicion derecta como straling of weerkaatsin-
Laser de classe 4; Nd: ung vermeiden. Laser- a la dispersa. Producto gen. Klasse 4 Laser
YAG/1.5 J/8 ns. classe 4; Nd: YAG/1.5 J/ Laser Clase 4; Nd: YAG/ Produkt; Nd: YAG/1.5 J/
8 ns. 1.5 J/8 ns. 8 ns.
Caution, Attention. Rayonne- Achtung! Sichtbare und Precaucin, radiacin Let op. Zichtbare en
Defeatable ment visible et invisible unsichtbare schdliche peligrosa electromag- onzichtbare gevaarlijke
Interlock dangereux en cas elektromagnetische ntica visible e invisible electromagnetische
(EMI) douverture et lorsque la Strahlung wenn Abdec- con el dispositivo de straling indien geopend
(5) scurit est neutralise. kung geffnet und Sich- seguridad abierto o con en interlock overbrugd.
erheitsverriegelung su indicacin alterada.
berbrckt. Bedienung-
sanleitung beachten!
Danger, Attention. Rayonne- Vorsicht; Austritt von Peligro, al abrir y retirer Gevaar; zichtbare en
Defeatable ment Laser visible et sichtbarer un unsicht- el dispositivo de segu- niet zichtbare laser-
Interlock invisible en cas barer Laserstruhlung, ridad exist radiacion straling wanneer geo-
(6) DOuverture et lorsque wenn Abdeckung geoff- laser visible e invisible; pend en bij uitgeschak-
la securite est neutra- net und Sicherhetiss- evite que los ohos o la elde interlock; Vermijd
lisse; exposition dan- chalter uberbruckt; piel queden expuestos blootstelling van oog of
gereuse de loeil ou de Bestrahlung von Auge tanto a la radiacion huid aan directe stral-
la peau au rayonnement oder Haut durch direkte dircta como a la dis- ing of weerkaatsingen
dirct ou diffus. oder Streustreustrahl- persa. daarvan.
ung vermeiden.
Danger, Attention; Rayonnement Vorsicht; beim Offnen Peligro, Cuando se abre Gevaar; zichtbare en
Non- Laser Visible et Invisi- Austritt von sichtbare existe Radiacion Laser niet zichtbare laser-
Interlocked ble en Cas DOuverture; und unsichtbare Laser- Visible e Invisible; Evite straling wanneer geo-
(7) Exposition Engereuse strahlung; Bestrahlung que los ojos y la piel end; vermijd blootsteling
de LOeil ou de la Peau von Auge oder Haut queden expuestos tanto aan huid of oog aan dis-
au Rayonnement Direct durch direkte oder Streu- a la radaicion directa ecte straling of weer-
ou Diffus. strahlung vermeiden. como a la dispersa. kaatsingen.
Battery Remplacer la pile par le Batterie nur durch gle- Reemplazar la batera Vervang batteryen door
Warning mme modle ou un ichen oder baugleichen con el mismo tipo, o de zelfde, of door de
Label modle quivalent. Se Typ gem Herstelle- equivalente, recomen- fabrikant geadviseerde
(9) dbarasser des piles rangaben ersetzen. Ver- dado por el fabricante. equivalente typen. Voer
usages conformment brauchyte Batterien Pelegro. Deshacerse de de gebruikte battereien
au recommandations du ordnungsgem entsor- las bateras usadas de af volgens de instructies
fabricant. gen. acuerdo con las instruc- van de fabrikant.
ciones del fabricante.
Patent Label Ce produits est fabriqu Dieses Produkt wurde Este producto esta fab- Dit product is gefabri-
(12) sous lun ou plusieurs unter Verwendung einer ricado con una o ms ceerd met een of meer
des brevets suivants. oder mehrerer der fol- de las siguientes pat- van de volgende USA
genden US-Patente entes de los Estados patenten.
hergestellt. Unidos.
2-8
Laser Safety
CE Declaration of Conformity
We,
Spectra-Physics, Inc.
Solid-State Lasers
Mountain View, CA. 94043
United States of America
declare under sole responsibility that the:
Quanta-Ray Lab-Series pulsed Nd:YAG laser system with power supply,
analog remote, or pc-based controller running Windows-based GUI
control software,
Manufactured after December 1, 1995,
meets the intent of EMC Directive 89/336/EEC: 1989, for electromagnetic com-
patibility and Directive 73/23/EEC, the Low Voltage directive. Compliance was
demonstrated to the following specifications as listed in the official Journal of
the European Communities:
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC: 1989
EN 50081-2:1993 Emissions:
EN55011 Class A Radiated
EN55011 Class A Conducted
EN 50082-1:1992 Immunity:
IEC 801-2 Electrostatic Discharge
IEC 801-3 RF Radiated
IEC 801-4 Fast Transients
Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC: 1973
EN 61010-1: 1993 Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for
Measurement, Control and Laboratory use:
EN 60825-1: 2001 Safety for Laser Products.
I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the equipment specified above conforms
to the above Directives and Standards.
Bruce Craig
Vice President and General Manager
Spectra-Physics, Inc.
Solid-State Lasers
January 1, 2003
2-9
Sources for Additional Information

The following are some sources for additional information on laser safety
standards, safety equipment, and training.
Laser Safety Standards

Safe Use of Lasers (Z136.1: 1993)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 642-4900
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Publication 8.1-7)
U. S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue N. W., Room N3647
Washington, DC 20210
Tel: (202) 693-1999
A Guide for Control of Laser Hazards, 4th Edition, Publication #0165
American Conference of Governmental and
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
1330 Kemper Meadow Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45240
Tel: (513) 742-2020
Internet: www.acgih.org/home.htm
Laser Institute of America
13501 Ingenuity Drive, Suite 128
Orlando, FL 32826
Tel: (800) 345-2737
Internet: www.laserinstitute.org
Compliance Engineering
70 Codman Hill Road
Boxborough, MA 01719
Tel: (978) 635-8580
International Electrotechnical Commission
Journal of the European Communities
EN60825-1 TR3 Ed.1.0Laser Safety Measurement and Instrumentation
IEC-309Plug, Outlet and Socket Coupler for Industrial Uses
Tel: +41 22-919-0211
Fax: +41 22-919-0300
Internet: http://ftp.iec.c.h/
Cenelec
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Central Secretariat
rue de Stassart 35
B-1050 Brussels
Document Center
1504 Industrial Way, Unit 9
Belmont, CA 94002-4044
Tel: (415) 591-7600
2-10
Laser Safety
Equipment and Training

Laser Safety Guide
Laser Institute of America
12424 Research Parkway, Suite 125
Orlando, FL 32826
Tel: (407) 380-1553
Laser Focus World Buyer's Guide
Laser Focus World
Penwell Publishing
10 Tara Blvd., 5th Floor
Nashua, NH 03062
Tel: (603) 891-0123
Lasers and Optronics Buyer's Guide
Lasers and Optronics
Gordon Publications
301 Gibraltar Drive
P.O. Box 650
Morris Plains, NJ 07950-0650
Tel: (973) 292-5100
Photonics Spectra Buyer's Guide
Photonics Spectra
Laurin Publications
Berkshire Common
PO Box 4949
Pittsfield, MA 01202-4949
Tel: (413) 499-0514
2-11
2-12
Chapter 3 Laser Description
A Brief Review of Ion Laser Theory
Emission and Absorption of Light*

Laser is an acronym derived from Light Amplification by Stimulated Emis-
sion of Radiation. Thermal radiators, such as the sun, emit light in all direc-
tions, the individual photons having no definite relationship with one
another. But because the laser is an oscillating amplifier of light, and
because its output comprises photons that are identical in phase and direc-
tion, it is unique among light sources. Its output beam is singularly direc-
tional, monochromatic, and coherent.
Radiant emission and absorption take place within the atomic or molecular
structure of materials. The contemporary model of atomic structure
describes an electrically neutral system composed of a nucleus with one or
more electrons bound to it. Each electron occupies a distinct orbital that
represents the probability of finding the electron at a given position relative
to the nucleus. Each orbital has a characteristic shape that is defined by the
radial and angular dependence of that probability, e.g., all s orbitals are
spherically symmetrical, and all p orbitals surround the x, y, and z axes of
the nucleus in a double-lobed configuration (Figure 3-1). The energy of an
electron is determined by the orbital that it occupies, and the over-all
energy of an atomits energy leveldepends on the distribution of its
electrons throughout the available orbitals. Each atom has an array of
energy levels: the level with the lowest possible energy is called the ground
state, and higher energy levels are called excited states. If an atom is in its
ground state, it will stay there until it is excited by external forces.
Movement from one energy level to anothera transitionhappens when
the atom either absorbs or emits energy. Upward transitions can be caused
by collision with a free electron or an excited atom, and transitions in both
directions can occur as a result of interaction with a photon of light. Con-
sider a transition from a lower level whose energy content is E1 to a higher
one with energy E2. It will only occur if the energy of the incident photon
matches the energy difference between levels, i.e.,
h = E2 E1 [1]
where h is Plancks constant, and is the frequency of the photon.
*
Light will be used to describe the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from far
infrared to ultraviolet.
3-1
Figure 3-1: Electrons occupy distinct orbitals that are defined by the
probability of finding an electron at a given position, the shape of the
orbital being determined by the radial and angular dependence of the
probability. Shown is an s orbital on the left, a p type on the right.
Likewise, when an atom excited to E2 decays to E1, it loses energy equal to
E2 E1. The atom may decay spontaneously, emitting a photon with energy
h and frequency
E E
2 1 [2]
= -----------------
-
h
Spontaneous decay can also occur without emission of a photon, the lost
energy taking another form, e.g., transfer of kinetic energy by collision
with another atom. An atom excited to E2 can also be stimulated to decay to
E1 by interacting with a photon of frequency , emitting energy in the form
of a pair of photons that are identical to the incident one in phase, fre-
quency, and direction. This is known as stimulated emission. By contrast,
spontaneous emission produces photons that have no directional or phase
relationship with one another.
A laser is designed to take advantage of absorption, and both spontaneous
and stimulated emission phenomena, using them to create conditions favor-
able to light amplification. The following paragraphs describe these condi-
tions.
Population Inversion
The net absorption at a given frequency is the difference between the rates
of emission and absorption at that frequency. It can be shown that the rate
of excitation from E1 to E2 is proportional to both the number of atoms in
the lower level (N1) and the transition probability. Similarly, the rate of
stimulated emission is proportional to the population of the upper level (N2)
and the transition probability. Moreover, the transition probability depends
on the flux of the incident wave and a characteristic of the transition called
its cross section. The absorption coefficient depends only on the differ-
ence between the populations involved, N1 and N2, and the flux of the inci-
dent wave.
3-2
Laser Description
When a material is at thermal equilibrium, there exists a Boltzmann distri-

bution of its atoms over the array of available energy levels with most
atoms in the ground state. Since the rate of absorption of all frequencies
exceeds that of emission, the absorption coefficient at any frequency is pos-
itive.
If enough light of frequency is supplied, the populations can be shifted
until N1 = N2. Under these conditions the rates of absorption and stimulated
emission are equal, and the absorption coefficient at frequency is zero. If
the transition scheme is limited to two energy levels, it is impossible to
drive the populations involved beyond equality; that is, N2 can never exceed
N1 because every upward transition is matched by one in the opposite direc-
tion.
However, if three or more energy levels are employed, and if their relation-
ship satisfies certain requirements described below, additional excitation
can create a population inversion where N1 > N2.
A model four-level laser transition scheme is depicted in Figure 3-2. A
photon of frequency 1 excitesor pumpsan atom from E1 to E4. If the
E4 to E3 transition probability is greater than that of E4 to E1, and if E4 is
short lived, the atom will decay almost immediately to E3. If E3 is metasta-
ble, i.e., atoms that occupy it have a relatively long lifetime, the population
will grow rapidly as excited atoms cascade from above. The E3 atom will
eventually decay to E2, emitting a photon of frequency 2. Finally, if E2 is
unstable, its atoms will rapidly return to the ground state, E1, keeping the
population of E2 small and reducing the rate of absorption of 2. In this way
the population of E3 is kept large and that of E2 remains low, thus establish-
ing a population inversion between E3 and E2. Under these conditions, the
absorption coefficient at 2 becomes negative. Light is amplified as it
passes through the material, which is now called an active medium. The
greater the population inversion, the greater the gain.
E4
E3 4F 11502 cm-1
3/2
2 1
E2 4I 2111 cm-1
11/2
E1 4I Nd3+
9/2
Figure 3-2: A Typical Four-level Transition Scheme

A four-level scheme has a distinct advantage over three-level systems,
where E1 is both the origin of the pumping transition and the terminus of
the lasing transition. Also, the first atom that is pumped contributes to the
population inversion in the four-level arrangement, while over half of the
atoms must be pumped from E1 before an inversion is established in the
three-level system.
3-3
Nd:YAG as an Excitation Medium

The properties of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG)
are the most widely studied and best understood of all solid-state laser
media. Its transition scheme is compared to the model in Figure 3-2b and
its energy level diagram is depicted in Figure 3-3. The active medium is tri-
ply ionized neodymium, which is optically pumped by a flash lamp whose
output matches principle absorption bands in the red and near infrared.
Excited electrons quickly drop to the F 3/2 level, the upper level of the lasing
transition, where they remain for a relatively long time (about 230 s).
20 Pump
Bands
18
16
4F3
14 /2 11502 cm-1 R2
11414 R1
12 4F3 Laser Transition
/2
4I15
Laser /2
10 Transition ~6000 cm-1
8 4I13
/2 ~4000 cm-1
4I15
6 /2
2526
4I13 4I11 2473
/2 /2
4 2146
4I11 2111
2 /2 2029
4I9 4I9 2001
/2 /2
0 848
Ground Level 311
197
134
0
Figure 3-3: Energy Level Scheme for the Nd:YAG Laser Source
The most probable lasing transition is to the I 11/2 state, emitting a photon at
1064 nm. Because electrons in that state quickly relax to the ground state,
its population remains low. Hence, it is easy to build a population inversion.
At room temperature the emission cross section of this transition is high, so
its lasing threshold is low. While there are competing transitions from the
same upper statemost notably at 1319, 1338, and 946 nmall have
lower gain and a higher threshold than the 1064 nm transition. In normal
operation, these factors and wavelength-selective optics limit oscillation to
1064 nm.
A laser comprising just an active medium and resonator will emit a pulse of
laser light each time the flash lamp fires. However, the pulse duration will
be long, about the same as the flash lamp, and its peak power will be low.
When a Q-switch is added to the resonator to shorten the pulse, output peak
power is raised dramatically.
3-4
Laser Description
Q-switching
Because the upper level of the transition has a long lifetime, a large popula-
tion of excited neodymium ions can build up in the YAG rod, much in the
same way a capacitor stores electrical energy. If oscillation is prevented
while the population inversion builds, and if the stored energy can be
quickly released, the laser will emit a short pulse of high intensity light. To
do this, an electro-optic device (a Q-switch) is added to the cavity, which
introduces high cavity loss and prevents oscillation. This allows energy to
build up. It is then quickly switched to a very low loss state that allows
oscillation to occur and the cavity dumps its energy in the form of a light
pulse.
As shown in Figure 3-4, the Q-switch comprises a polarizer, a quarter-wave
plate, and a Pockels cell. A high voltage applied to the Pockels cell crystal
changes its polarization retardation characteristics, which determine
whether the Q-switch is open (low loss) or closed (high loss).
5 s
4 kV
High
Reflector
Quarter-Wave Pockels Cell Polarizer

Plate
Figure 3-4: The Q-switch comprises a polarizer, a quarter-wave polar-

ization rotator, and a Pockels cell.
With no voltage applied, the Pockels cell does not affect the polarization of
light passing through it, and the Q-switch functions as follows. The polar-
izer horizontally polarizes light entering the Q-switch, and the quarter-
wave plate converts it to circular polarization. As the circularly polarized
light returns from the high reflector, the quarter-wave plate converts it to
vertical polarization. Because the polarizer only transmits horizontally
polarized light, it reflects the light out of the resonator, so the cavity loss is
high. With voltage applied, the Pockels cell cancels the polarization retar-
dation of the quarter-wave plate, so the light remains horizontally polarized
and suffers minimal loss.
During Q-switched operation, the flash lamp excites the Nd ions for
approximately 200 s to build up a large population inversion. At the point
of maximum population inversion, a fast high-voltage pulse applied to the
Pockels cell changes the Q-switch from high to low loss. The resultant
pulse width is <10 ns, and the peak optical power is tens of megawatts.
This short pulse of high peak power is the key to the usefulness of the
pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Its high peak power permits wavelength conversion
through several nonlinear processes, e.g., frequency doubling, frequency
mixing, dye laser pumping, or Raman frequency conversion. A short pulse
provides excellent temporal resolution of fast phenomena like rapid chemi-
cal reactions or high-speed motion.
3-5
An alternative long pulse mode of operation is built in to the Lab-Series

laser. Voltage is applied to the Pockels cell as soon as the flash lamp fires,
and the Q-switch is held open for the entire lamp firing. The result is a train
of pulses about 200 s long, with a separation between individual pulses of
2 to 4 s. The total energy of the pulse train is similar to that of a single Q-
switched pulse. This long pulse mode allows safer alignment and set-up,
and is useful in experiments where total pulse energy, not its distribution in
time, is the critical factor.
Resonant Optical Cavity

A resonant cavity, which is defined by two mirrors, provides feedback to
the active medium. Photons emitted parallel to the optical axis of the cavity
are reflected, returning to interact with other excited ions. Stimulated emis-
sion produces two photons of equal energy, phase and direction from each
interaction. The two become four, four become eight, and the numbers con-
tinue to increase geometrically until an equilibrium between excitation and
emission is reached.
Both mirrors are coated to reflect the wavelength, or wavelengths, of inter-
est while transmitting all others. One of the mirrors (the output coupler)
transmits a fraction of the energy stored in the cavity, and the escaping radi-
ation becomes the output beam of the laser.
There are two major types of optical resonators: stable and unstable (see
Figure 3-5). The difference between them lies in what happens to a ray of
light traveling close to, and parallel with the optical axis. In the stable reso-
nator the ray is reflected toward the optical axis by its cavity mirrors, so it
is always contained along the primary axis of the laser. By contrast, a ray
travelling in an unstable resonator can be reflected away from the axis by
one of the cavity mirrors.
Stable
Unstable
Figure 3-5: Stable and Unstable Resonator Configurations

Stable resonators can only extract energy from a small volume near the
optical axis of the resonator, which limits the energy of the output. Con-
versely, unstable resonators can have large beam diameters. Thus, they can
efficiently extract energy from active media whose cross-sectional area is
large, like that of typical Nd:YAG laser rods.
The output coupler in an unstable resonator can take one of three forms. In
the first case, a small high reflector is mounted on a clear substrate and
placed on the optical axis of the resonator. Energy escapes the resonator by
diffracting around this dot, which gives the diffraction coupled resonator
3-6
Laser Description
(DCR) its name. A second form employs a partially reflective coating that
uniformly covers the whole substrate. The third is a variation on the first,
where the small high reflector is replaced by a partial reflector with radially
variable reflectivity (an RVR optic). This reflector is capable of producing
gaussian or near-gaussian spatial profile at the laser output, and is, there-
fore a gaussian coupled resonator, or GCR. This Lab-Series laser uses the
latter variation.
If the energy of the output beam is to be uniformly distributed, the Nd:YAG
rod must be uniformly illuminated. Placing the flash lamp at one focus of
an elliptical chamber causes all the light it produces to be reflected through
the rod, which is placed at the other focus.
Uniform cooling is also essential to optimal performance of pulsed
Nd:YAG lasers. When heated, the Nd:YAG rod becomes a lens whose focal
length depends on the average power absorbed. For optimal performance,
the high reflector must be matched to the focal length of the rod, which
must remain stable during operation. The thermal gradient of the rod also
causes a radially variable polarization rotation that must be carefully con-
trolled for the best beam quality.
Longitudinal Modes and Linewidth

A laser oscillates within a narrow range of frequencies around the transi-
tion frequency. The width of the frequency distributionthe linewidth
and its amplitude depend on the active medium, its temperature and the
magnitude of the population inversion. Linewidth is determined by plotting
the net gain of each frequency and measuring the width of the curve where
the gain has fallen to one-half maximum (full width at half maximum) as
shown in Figure 3-6.
Laser Gain Profile
200 MHz Spacing
Laser Cavity
Longitudinal Modes
Half-max point 30 GHz Linewidth
Figure 3-6: Frequency distribution of longitudinal modes for a single line

The output of the laser is discontinuous within the homogeneously broad-
ened line. A standing wave propagates within the optical cavity, and any
frequency that satisfies the resonance condition
mc-
m = ------ [3]
2L
3-7
will oscillate, where m is the frequency, c is the speed of light, L is the

optical cavity length and m is an integer. Thus, the output of a given line is
a set of discrete frequenciescalled longitudinal modesspaced such
that
c
= ------ [4]
2L
Producing Other Wavelengths

The high peak power of Q-switched pulses permit frequency conversion in
nonlinear crystals like potassium dideuterium phosphate (KD*P). In the
simplest case, the 1064 nm Nd:YAG fundamental interacts with the crystal
to produce a secondary wave with half the fundamental wavelength.
For maximum efficiency the waves must maintain the same speed and
phase relationship throughout the crystal. The index of refraction of most
materials depends on the wavelength and decreases as the wavelength gets
longer. However, some materials are birefringent, i.e., their index of refrac-
tion depends on the polarization of the propagating waves. In these materi-
als, if the ordinary index of one wavelength matches the extraordinary
index of the other, the waves propagate in phase and at the same speed. Fre-
quency conversion is most efficient under these phase matching condi-
tions.
Phase matching is critically dependent on the temperature of the crystal
and on the angle between the direction of polarization and the axes of the
crystal.
With KD*P, two phase matching alternatives exist. In type I phase match-
ing, the input is along the ordinary axis and the output is polarized along
the extraordinary axis. This leaves the residual input wavelength linearly
polarized. In type II, the input polarization is at an angle between the
extraordinary and ordinary axes, while the output remains polarized along
the extraordinary axis. The residual input wavelength is elliptically polar-
ized. Although either type of phase matching can be used to generate the
second harmonic of Nd:YAG in KD*P, type II is more widely used because
of its higher conversion efficiency. However, some experiments require lin-
ear polarization of the residual 1064 nm light for highest efficiency and, for
these cases, Type I doubling may yield better overall system performance.
The resultant 532 nm wave can be doubled again by passing it through a
second crystal to yield a 266 nm wave. It can also be mixed in KD*P with
the residual 1064 nm fundamental to produce a 355 nm wave. These four
wavelengths1064, 532, 355, and 266 nmcover the electromagnetic
spectrum from the near infrared to the ultraviolet, which enhances the use-
fulness of the Nd:YAG laser. 532 and 355 nm light is useful for pumping
dye lasers with high conversion efficiency. 355 and 266 nm light is useful
for dissociation and photodestructive studies of many molecules. 1064 nm
and 266 nm light is widely used for optical modification of materials and
probing of semiconductors.
These fixed frequencies can be extended further through Raman shifting or
by using them to pump a dye laser or an OPO. The latter results in continu-
ously tunable output over a wide range of wavelengths.
3-8
Laser Description
Resonator Structural Considerations

The stability of the oscillating frequency depends on the design of the reso-
nator structure. Small changes in cavity length caused by temperature
changes and mechanical shifts, among other sources, cause corresponding
changes in the resonant frequency. Cavity length changes due to tempera-
ture can be expressed as
L = LT [5]
where L is the cavity length, is the thermal expansion coefficient of the

resonator structure and T is temperature change. In order to eliminate fre-
quency drift, either or T must be zero.
The choice of materials affects the length stability of the structure. The
ideal material has both a low thermal expansion coefficient and a high abil-
ity to distribute heat evenly, causing a constant T along the length of the
structure.
Graphite composite, such as that used in the Lab-Series resonator, has the
lowest thermal expansion coefficient of any currently used structural mate-
rial. Since its coefficient is also negative, the thermal compensation system
of the resonator structure can be kept simple. The negative expansion of the
graphite rods offsets the positive expansion of the metal parts, so the net
change remains near zero over a wide range of temperatures.
Frequency stability also depends on the mechanical rigidity of the resona-
tor structure. Modulation due to jitter, the microphonic movement of cav-
ity mirrors, can be caused by an external shock to the resonator structure or
acoustic noise. Isolation of the resonator from the case that surrounds the
laser helps reduce this jitter.
Pulse Triggering Sequence and Timing

Figure 3-7 is a block diagram of the Lab-Series electrical system. It also
depicts the order and timing of control signals within the system. This sim-
plified diagram provides a means for understanding the operation of the
laser and the nomenclature of its input and output signals. Figure 3-8 shows
the Lab-Series timing relationships.
The source switch selects one of three possible lamp triggering sources: a
fixed rate setting (10, 30, 50), a variable setting that is 10% of the laser
design frequency (using an internal oscillator), or an externally set setting
(applied to the lamp trigger input) that can vary the laser frequency 10%
of its design frequency.
Signal A is the trigger source for all subsequent functions. It fires the SCR
gate current generator for the pulse forming network and the Q-switch
delay. SCR gate current B fires the pulse forming network, whose discharge
produces a critically damped current pulse C through the lamp. The Q-
switch delay prevents the opening of the Q-switch until the population
inversion has built up in the Nd:YAG rod. After approximately 210 ns, its
output D increases the Q of the cavity to maximum by applying high volt-
age I to the Pockels cell.
3-9
Fixed H I
Fixed Q-SW
Repetition Pulse Marx Q-switch
Delay Generator Bank H.V.
Rate
A D
External Q-switch Ext Q-SW K
Input Delay trig input Pulse Q-switch
Generator Sync.
Out
Variable Q-switch
Variable Pulse
Repetition Delay Generator Adv. Sync.
Rate E F Out
J
Pulse Lamp
Generator Sync. Out
Simmer
Current Pulse
Generator
Switching
C Supply
Lamp
Figure 3-7: Simplified Block Diagram of the Lab-Series electronics.

The mode switch selects the configuration of the Q-switch. The Pockels
cell can be fired internally (normal mode), externally by a trigger pulse at
the Q-SW TRIG input (external mode), or in a long pulse mode that provides
a pulse of low peak power that is useful for system alignment.
In normal mode, the Q-switch delay D fires a fixed delay G. Subsequently,
the pulse generator is fired H, providing a sync signal and triggering the
electro-optic driver (Marx bank). The high voltage output of the Marx bank
I changes the polarization retardation characteristic of the Pockels cell,
which opens the Q-switch after a total delay of D+G.
The Q-switch advanced sync signal is also derived from the Q-switch delay
D. Signal D triggers both the fixed delay G described above and a variable
delay E, setting up a race between these two pulses. The variable delay
pulse is adjustable, so it can end either before or after the end of the fixed
delay pulse. The variable delay pulse triggers the advanced sync pulse gen-
erator F, whose output either precedes or follows the opening of the Q-
switch I. This creates a pre- or post-trigger pulse with a range of 0 to 500 ns.
In the long pulse mode, the Pockels cell is triggered at the moment of lamp
firing. It is internally charged to provide a long, high voltage pulse that
yields a long optical pulse. The Q-switch sync output is inhibited in this
mode.
3-10
Laser Description
T=0
>500 ns
50 Input
Positive Edge Trigger
2.5 6 V
TTL Compatible A Ext. Lamp Trigger Input
5 ms
50 Input
2.5 V Into 50
TTL Compatible J Lamp Sync Output
FWHM = 180 s
C Lamp Current
500 s Max
60 ms Min
210 s Nom
D Q-Switch Delay
>500 ns
50 Input
Positive Edge Trigger
2.5 6 V
TTL Compatible L Ext. Q-Switch Trigger Input
5 ms
50 Input
2.5 V Into 50 TTL Compatible K Q-Switch Sync Output
700 to +500 ns 50 Input

5 ms Pulse Width
2.5 V Into 50 TTL Compatible F Q-Switch Advanced Sync Ouput
500 ns
6.5 V Into 50
H Marx Bank Trigger
I Q-Switch High Voltage
3.5 kV
8 12 ns FWHM
1064 nm Light Output (Normal)
2.5 ns FWHM
1064 nm Light Output (Fast)
Figure 3-8: Lab-Series Timing Schematic
General Note on Specifications

Specifications for Lab-Series pulsed Nd:YAG lasers are given in good faith
and are set at levels that ensure manufacturability and allow reliable long-
term operation. Due to the complexity involved in measuring many of the
individual specifications, we cannot demonstrate all performance parame-
ters at your site. We will ensure that all energy specifications are met by
making the appropriate energy measurements, and that copies of our final
test beam profiles and burn patterns are included with the installation of
each laser. Pulse width and single-mode operation can also be demon-
strated. All other specifications can be demonstrated either at your site or at
the Spectra-Physics manufacturing facility. Contact your local Spectra-
Physics representative for further information.
3-11
Laser Output Specifications

Note that, unlike ion lasers, the output power of the Lab-Series YAG laser is
not variable and is based on the model of laser purchased. Output fre-
quency can be varied 10% of the nominal frequency.
Table 3-1: Power Specifications
Model1 Lab-130- Lab-150- Lab-170- Lab-190-
Rep Rate (Hz) 10 30 50 10 30 50 10 30 50 10 30 50 100
Energy (mJ/p)2
1064 nm 450 275 200 650 500 300 850 700 550 1000 800 600 325
532 nm 200 100 70 300 200 100 450 325 210 500 400 250 120
355 nm 90 40 30 150 100 40 220 175 100 250 200 100 50
EEO-355 3 240 300
266 nm 50 25 15 70 35 25 90 60 30 110 60 25 20
1
All specifications, unless otherwise stated, are for Q-switched operation at 1064 nm, and are subject to change without
notice.
2
Harmonic energies are specified after separation using dichroic mirror pairs. 532 nm energies are specified using
type II second harmonic generation (SHG). 355 nm energies are specified using type II SHG. A 10% increase in 355 nm
energies can be specified when type I SHG is used.
3
High UV output option designed for OPO pumping, including injection seeder, harmonic generator, 355 nm dichroic
separators and beam dump.
Table 3-2: Performance

Wavelength Pulse Width1 Short-Term Energy Stability2 Long-Term Power Drift3
1064 nm 812 nm 2% <3%
532 nm 12 nm <1064 nm 3% <5%
355 nm 23 nm <1064 nm 4% <6%
266 nm 34 nm <1064 nm 8% <10%
1
Nominal full width half maximum (FWHM) pulse width 810 ns, except Lab-130 and -190 10 Hz versions, which will be
912 ns. The short pulse mode, standard on all Lab-series lasers, reduces the 1064 nm pulse width to approximately
2.5 ns and reduces the pulse energy by approximately 10%. (Short pulse mode is available on seeded versions by special
request only).
2
Pulse-to-pulse stability for >99% of pulses, measured over a 1-hour period.
3
Over an 8-hour period with temperature variations of less than 3C.
3-12
Laser Description
Table 3-3: Mode and Pulse Specifications

Mode Pulse
Spatial Mode Profile1 Standard Fit ESM Fit3 Line Width4
Near Field (1 m) >70% >85% 5% Standard <1.0 cm-1
Far Field () >95% >95% Injection Seeded <0.003 cm-1
Modulation2 <40% <20%
Beam Diameter5 <10 mm Timing Jitter6 <0.5 ns

1
Near field spatial profiles measured 1 m from laser using a commercially available beam diagnostic system. 70% refers
to the correlation between the actual beam profile and the best least-squares fit Gaussian profile. Far field profiles are
measured at the focal plane of a 2 m focal length lens.
2
Refers to the maximum deviation from the best-fit Gaussian profile measured in the near field (1 m) between the FWHM
points.
3
Enhanced spatial mode options can be tailored to meet your application needs. To obtain >85% Gaussian fits, energy
can be reduced by 30%.
4
Insertion losses for systems using the Model 6350 injection seeder are <15% at 1064 nm, 532 nm and 266 nm.
5
Actual beam diameter will vary depending on laser configuration.
6
rms jitter from Q-switch sync pulse. Jitter is 1 nm rms when using the Model 6350 injection seeder at 10 Hz, 1.5 ns at
30 Hz, and 2 ns at 50 Hz.
Table 3-4: Beam Specifications

Pointing Stability1 <50% rad
Beam Divergence2 <0.5 mrad
Lamp Lifetime3 30 million pulses

1
Long-term average pointing drift after warm-up over 8 hours 3C. Shot-to-shot point-
ing stability <25 rad.
2
Full angle measured at FWHM points.
3
IR energy within 10% of specified value.
Table 3-5: Service Requirements

Water Service
10 Hz1, 30 Hz, 50 Hz 7.6 l/min (2.0 US gal/min)2
Electrical Service
10 Hz <35 A
30 Hz <40 A
50 Hz <55 A
Voltage3 190260 Vac, Single Phase, 50/60 Hz
Umbilical Length 3 m (10 ft)
Controller Cord Length 3 m (10 ft)
Weight
Laser Head 55 kg (120 lb)
Power Supply 68 kg (150 lb)
1
Lab 130-10 and 150-10 Hz units are air-cooled as standard. Water-cooled versions
require WAT 100 (3.8 liters/min. or 1.0 U.S. gal/min.). All seeded lasers must be water-
cooled.
2
Minimum pressure 40 psi. Maximum pressure 60 psi.
3
Input transformer has taps at 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 and 260 V. Once a tap is
chosen, actual input voltage differing by more than 10% from nominal voltage may
affect operation of the laser.
3-13
Outline Drawing
13.00
330
46.16 5.01 4.00
1172 127 102
12.04
306 7.62
193
32.0 7.0 2.06 9.00

813 178 52,3 228
Lab-Series Laser Head
30.3 21.2
770 538
17.22
437
19.8
2.5 502
64 25.2
640
Lab-Series Power Supply
Quanta-Ray
SIMMER ERROR

VAR LP
7.28 LAMP ENERGY FIXED EXT Q-SW EXT
185 SOURCE
INHIBIT OFF
MODE
ON
SINGLE SHOT
INT
7.90 3.25 inches

All dimensions in
201 82,5 mm
Controller
Figure 3-9: Outline Drawing
3-14
Chapter 4 Controls, Indicators and Connections
This chapter describes the controls, indicators and connections of the Lab-
Series laser head, power supply, controller and GUI control software. Fig-
ure 4-1 shows the various components inside the Lab-Series laser head.
The Laser Head
High Reflector M1 Pockels Cell

and /4 Plate (Q-Switch)
Marx Bank Location
Polarizer
Pump Chambers
(2 Places)
Injection Seeder
2
1 HG Temperature
Controller
Base Pan Aluminum

Base Plate
Output Coupler M2
Injection Seeder Controls

Harmonic Generator (HG)
Dichroic Mirror DM1
Dichroic Mirror DM2 Beam Dump
Figure 4-1: An isometric view of the internal components of the Lab-series laser head.
4-1
Referring to Figure 4-1, the laser head components are described, starting
from the rear mirror and moving forward.
Rear mirror M1 one of two oscillator cavity end mirrors. It reflects all
laser light back into the cavity. Vertical and horizontal controls allow you to
align the oscillator cavity and to optimize output power and mode quality.
These controls are only accessible when the cover is off.

/4 (quarter-wave) platerotates the polarized cavity light 90 and is
used in conjunction with the polarizer and Pockels cell to set the Q-switch
holdoff, i.e., when properly aligned, there will be no laser oscillation until
the Q-switch is fired, no matter how much oscillator PFN voltage there is
(8 V max.).The waveplate is aligned by rotating the knurled ring around the
high reflector.
Pockels cella high-voltage device (crystal) used as an optical high-speed
shutter to Q-switch pulses. It is opaque (blocks light) until voltage is
applied to it. There are no local controls.
Polarizera coated optic placed in the beam path that allows only polar-
ized light with a select polarization alignment to pass through. It is used in
conjunction with the /4 plate to select light of a certain polarization for
transmission. The polarizer is aligned by rotating the optic in its holder. A
clamping screw holds it in place.
Pump chambers (1 to 2 chambers in one of 2 types)a rectangular box
that contains a single parabolic chamber with a flash lamp placed at one
focus point and a YAG rod at the other, or a dual parabolic chamber with a
flash lamp at the focus of each chamber and the rod placed at the focus
common to each chamber. The YAG rod is the lasing media which is
pumped by the lamp(s).
The number and type of chambers found in the oscillator depends on the
laser model and its output power capacity. There are no controls on the
chambers. Two terminals provide attachment for the high-voltage wires for
the lamp(s).
Marx bankprovides power to drive the Pockels cell and uses a TTL-
trigger source from the power supply controller to turn on and off the cell.
Injection seeder(optional) provides a small amount of single-frequency
laser light of the desired wavelength to stimulate emission at that wave-
length in the oscillator once the proper threshold for lasing is reached in the
rod. Its controls are provided on one of the laser side panels. Refer to Side
Panel later in this chapter for a description of these controls.
Base panencloses the bottom of the laser to keep it clean and to provide
emf and safety shielding.
Output coupler M2 one of two cavity end mirrors. Whereas rear mirror
M1 reflects all light back into the cavity, output coupler M2 allows a small
percentage of it to pass through as the oscillator output laser beam. Its ver-
tical and horizontal controls allow you to align the oscillator cavity and to
optimize output power and mode quality. These controls are only accessi-
ble when the cover is off.
Harmonic generator (HG)contains various crystals that, depending on
their sequence and orientation to the incoming beam, generate second,
4-2
Controls, Indicators and Connections
third and fourth harmonics from the primary wavelength. There are two
control arms for positioning and rotating the optics inside. Refer to Chapter
7, Harmonic Generator, for detailed information on using this device.
HG temperature controllerstabilizes the temperature of the HG crys-
tals, thus maintaining stable output despite changes in ambient tempera-
ture. Refer to Chapter 7, Harmonic Generator, for information describing
the use and setting of these controls.
Dichroic mirror 1 (DM1)reflects certain wavelengths and routes this out-
put to DM2 for transmission while transmitting residual 1064 and/or 532 nm
to the beam dump. Vertical and horizontal controls allow you to adjust the
routing of the beam.
Dichroic mirror 2 (DM2)like DM1, it selects certain wavelengths for
reflection, then routes this output beam out the laser. Vertical and horizon-
tal controls allow you to adjust the routing of the beam.
Beam dump (BD-6) water-cooled, absorbs the residual 1064 nm output.
Aluminum base plateprovides a rigid and thermally stable platform
upon which to mount the laser components.
End Connector Panel
Q-Switch
Connector
Inlet Outlet Inlet Control High Voltage Neutral/

Coolant Purge Cable Connector Ground
Connector Connector Connector Connector
Figure 4-2: Laser Head Rear Panel Controls and Connections.

Coolant input connectorprovides attachment for the umbilical male
hose connector to bring coolant to the laser head from the power supply.
Coolant output connectorprovides attachment for the umbilical female
hose connector that returns the coolant to the power supply.
Q-Switch input connector (BNC)provides attachment for the umbilical
coaxial connector to receive the Q-switch triggering signal from the power
supply.
Nitrogen purge input connectorattaches to the nitrogen flow regulator
unit provided in the accessory kit. Nitrogen is used to purge the laser head
and harmonic generator to keep them clean longer.
Control cable connectorattaches to one of the large umbilical connec-
tors from the power supply and provides controls signals for the various
components in the laser head.
4-3
High voltage connectorattaches to one of the large umbilical connec-

tors from the power supply that provides high voltage for the flash lamps,
simmer supply, and Q-switch.
Neutral/ground connectorattaches to one of the large umbilical con-
nectors from the power supply and provides a return path and safety
grounding for the high voltage system.
The Marx Bank

The the Marx bank control box is located inside the laser head near the rear
panel. The connections are made at the factory, but instructions are pro-
vided here in the event they are accidentally disconnected.
Danger! 5 kV is present at the Marx bank connectors. Shut off the laser (press
the stop button) before changing outputs.
Marx bank INPUT connector (BNC)accepts the Q-switch control sig-

nal from the end panel connector.
Marx bank OUTPUT: FAST connector (MHV)transmits a Q-switch
control signal for a 2.5 ns optical pulse from the cavity.
Marx bank OUTPUT: SLOW connector (MHV)transmits a Q-switch
control signal for an 8 ns (nominal) optical pulse from the cavity.
The Seeder Control Panel

Located on the side of the laser (Figure 4-3), this panel provides control of
the optional Model 6350 injection seeder. Refer to the Seeder users man-
ual for signal level requirements and instructions on using the seeder. The
following control descriptions are provided here for convenience.
STBY ON RESET Q-SW PIEZO FREQ
ON MNL DSBL BLD UP TIME VOLT OFFSET

AUTO
Figure 4-3: The Laser Head Side Panel Injection Seeder Controls
Power ON indicatorglows amber to show the seeder is powered on.
STANDBY/ON switchsets the system to standby (STBY) or active mode
(ON). In standby, all temperature control circuits are operational but the
laser seeder is disabled. In active mode, the seeder is enabled.
Mode switchallows you set the seeder to manual mode (MNL) or auto-
matic mode (AUTO), or to disable it (DSBL). Use the MNL position to set the
piezoelectric voltage to the center of its range. The AUTO position allows a
servo to reset the piezoelectric to its center whenever the piezoelectric volt-
age reaches the end of its range (auto-centering). DISABLE prevents the
servo from resetting the system automatically.
4-4
RESET indicatorglows yellow whenever the servo is resetting the piezo-

electric voltage to the center of its range.
RESET connector (BNC)(output) provides a means to remotely monitor
when the servo reset is active. Output is a 5 V active high TTL-level signal.
Q-switch buildup timing connector (BNC)(output) provides attach-
ment for an oscilloscope cable for sweep timing. A TTL-level output pulse
is presented to the connector and remains high for the duration of the Q-
switch hold-off.
PIEZO/VOLT connector (output) not used on this system.
FREQuency OFFSET connector(input) provides connection for a user-
supplied input voltage that fine tunes the injection seeder to center it on the
gain bandwidth of the YAG laser. It works in conjunction with the manual
frequency adjustment (see below).
Manual frequency adjustprovides local control to fine tune the injec-
tion seeder to center it on the gain bandwidth of the YAG laser. This signal
is summed with any signal applied to the FREQuency OFFSET connector
(see above).
The Emission Indicator

The EMISSION ENABLE indicator on the side panel glows whenever the
laser is capable of emitting laser radiation.
Figure 4-4: Laser Head Emission Indicator
4-5
The Power Supply Front Panel
COMPUTER
RS232C
SHOTS X100
MONITOR INPUT OUTPUT REMOTE
PWR INTERLOCK LOW LASER Q-SW LAMP ANALOG Q-SW LAMP Q-SW
ON FAULT WATER ID TRIG TRIG STROBE SYNC SYNC ADV SYNC
POWER
0
Figure 4-5: The Power Supply Front Control Panel

MONITOR: PWR ON indicatorglows when utility power is applied to the
system and the circuit breaker and key switch are turned on.
MONITOR: INTERLOCK FAULT indicatorglows when there is a system
interlock fault: either the laser head or power supply cover is off, or the
remote interlock is open (see Remote Interlock Connector below). Once
the fault is corrected, the light turns off.
MONITOR: LOW WATER indicatorglows when water in the reservoir
falls below the safety level. When this happens, turn off the system and add
distilled water immediately.
MONITOR: LASER ID indicatorglows when there is a mismatch between
the power supply and laser head with regard to the optimized repetition
rate. When glowing, the power supply cannot be turned on. Requested fre-
quency must be within 10% of the laser design frequency.
INPUT: Q-SWitch TRIGger connector (BNC)accepts a 5 V signal to fire
the Q-switch (input impedance = 700 ). The circuit is overload protected.
An external time delay is required.
INPUT: LAMP TRIGger connector (BNC)accepts a 5 V signal to trigger
the flash lamp 10% of the rated frequency rate of the laser (input imped-
ance = 700 ). The circuit is isolated and overload protected.
INPUT: ANALOG STROBE connector (BNC)provides connection for an
enabling signal that gates analog information from the controller to allow
analog programming to be completed before the laser fires. A high TTL-
level signal enables transmission, a low level disables it. It may be operated
as a level or edge-triggered device. The circuit is overload protected (input
4-6
impedance = 16 k). Refer to Chapter 10, Service and Repair: Analog

Signals, for details on using this strobe function.
OUTPUT: LAMP SYNC connector (BNC)provides an output timing pulse
synchronous with lamp firing for use with other equipment. The pulse
width is approximately 0.5 ms and has an amplitude of 2 V and a rise time
of approximately 20 ns (into a 50 load).
OUTPUT: Q-SWitch SYNC connector (BNC)provides an output timing
pulse synchronous with the Q-switching of the laser for use with other
equipment. Pulse width is approximately 4.5 ms with an amplitude of 2 V
and a rise time of approximately 20 ns (into a 50 .load).
OUTPUT: Q-SWitch ADVance SYNC connector (BNC)adjusts the output
sync signal from 700 ns before Q-switch firing to 500 ns after it fires to
allow synchronization to auxiliary equipment. The pulse width is approxi-
mately 4.5 ms with an amplitude of 2 V and a rise time of approximately
20 ns (into a 50 load).
REMOTE connectorprovides attachment for the 37-pin D-sub connector
of the controller cable.
COMPUTER: RS-232C connectorprovides attachment for a 9-pin, RS-232C
serial control device. Any computer or terminal that is compliant with the
IBM 9-pin standard can use this port to control the laser system. The pinout
and specifications for this connector are given in Table 4-1 below. Chapter
6, Operation, provides information on operating the laser using a Win-
dows*-compatible computer using the GUI software provided with this sys-
tem. The GUI Software Menus section later in this chapter explains the
software menus. Appendix B is a Programming Guide for those wishing to
write a program to operate the laser directly and automatically.
1 5
6 9
Figure 4-6: The 9-Pin SERIAL COM Port
Table 4-1: The SERIAL COM Port Connections

Computer or Terminal Lab Power Supply
RS-232-C Signal Pin No. Pin No. Pin No. Signal
Signal Name (25-Pin) (9-Pin)
Transmit Data TXD 2 3 3 RXD
Receive Data RXD 3 2 2 TXD
Not Connected RTS 4 7 CTS
Not Connected CTS 5 8 RTS
Not Connected DSR 6 6 DTR
Not Connected DCD 8 1 DCD
Not Connected DTR 20 4 DSR
Signal Ground 7 5 5
Protective Ground 1 SHELL SHELL
*
Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft corporation.
4-7
POWER: ON key switchapplies power to the control electronics. Both

the circuit breaker and key switch must be turned on before the controller
can provide control to the system. When the key switch is turned on, the
power LED on the power supply front panel and the OFF lamp on the ana-
log controller turn on.
POWER circuit breakerapplies ac power to the power supply circuitry
and turns on the MONITOR: PWR ON lamp.
The Power Supply Rear Panel

Reservoir level indicatorshows how much water is in the power supply
reservoir. When the water level falls midway between the level markers, the
MONITOR: LOW WATER lamp on the front panel turns on to warn you that
the water is getting low. Always maintain the water level between the two
level markers during operation.
Umbilical connectorprovides connection for the umbilical to the laser
head.
Power cordprovides facility ac power to the laser system. The cord is
permanently attached to the power supply. Refer to the Specification tables
in Chapter 3 for electrical service requirements.
Reservoir Level SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS

P.O. BOX 7013
Indicator NORMAL
OPERATING
MANUFACTURING DATE:
MODEL
S/N
MADE IN U.S.A.
Remote Interlock
RANGE
Umbilical Connector REMOTE

INTERLOCK System WATER IN Connector
Power Cord WATER IN

System WATER OUT Connector
WATER OUT
Power Requirement Label
Figure 4-7: The Power Supply Rear Connector Panel

Remote interlock connectorallows other safety interlock devices to be
included in the interlock chain, e.g., a safety switch mounted on the door of
the laser operation area. If this were the case, the laser would automatically
shut off when the door was opened. Wire remote interlocks using shielded
twisted-pair wires that are isolated from ground. If no auxiliary interlock is
to be used, verify the black shorting plug is inserted to close the interlock
circuit. The laser will not operate while these pins are open.
System WATER IN connectorallows attachment for a facility water hose
to provide cooling water to the laser and power supply. For reliable opera-
tion, do not swap the hose attached to this connection with the one attached
to the WATER OUT connector. Refer to the Specifications table in Chapter 3
for required flow rates.
4-8
System WATER OUT connectorallows attachment for a facility water

hose for removing the laser-heated water from the system. Attach the other
end of this hose to a drain or to a water-to-air cooling device, such as the
Model WA-1. For reliable operation, do not swap the hose attached to this
connection with the one attached to the WATER IN connector. Hose used
should be designed for hot water usage.
The Controller
The controller plugs into the 37-pin REMOTE connector on the power sup-
ply. Its controls and indicators are shown in Figure 4-8 and are listed and
described here from top to bottom, left to right.
OSCillator SIMMER indicatorglows whenever the oscillator flash lamp
simmer current is on.
AMPlifier SIMMER indicator (is not used on the Lab-Series system)
OSCillator LAMP ENERGY controlsets the output energy of the oscilla-
tor flash lamp(s). The scale is relative and is marked START 10.
AMPlifier LAMP ENERGY control(is not used on the Lab-Series system)
Quanta-Ray
SIMMER ERROR

VAR LP
SOURCE MODE
INT
Figure 4-8: The Controller

ADVanced SYNC controladjusts the output sync signal from 700 ns
before Q-switch firing to 500 ns after it fires to allow synchronizing to aux-
iliary equipment. The signal is available at the Q-SW ADV SYNC output con-
nector on the power supply.
Rep Rate ERROR indicatorblinks if the remote control source has sel-
ected more than one source to fire the lamp.
4-9
Rep Rate VARIABLE controlsets the lamp firing rate in a range that is
approximately 1 Hz to +5% from the system fundamental FIXED frequency
setting as denoted by the laser model number.
Q-SWITCH ERROR indicatorblinks if the remote control source has
selected more than one mode to trigger the Q-switch.
Q-SWitch DELAY controladjusts the Q-switch firing delay timing from
50 to 300 s.
Rep Rate SOURCE selectorselects the source of the lamp firing pulse:
FIXED, VARIABLE, or EXTernal source. FIXED selects the repetition rate as
denoted by the laser model number. VARIABLE allows you to vary the pulse
rate from approximately 1 Hz to +5% of the system fixed frequency. The
EXTERNAL setting requires a firing pulse to be presented at the LAMP TRIG
input on the power supply, but is constrained by the same limitations of the
VARIABLE setting. Do not exceed this rating.
Q-switch MODE selectorselects the source for the timing of the Pockels
cell firing: Q-SW, LP and EXT. When set to Q-SW, the Pockels cell is fired
after the flash lamps with a time delay set by the Q-SW DELAY control (see
above). When set to LP (Long Pulse), the Pockels cell and flash lamp are
fired synchronously. When set to EXT (external), the Pockels cell is fired by
a signal presented at the power supply Q-SW TRIG input.
Note Be careful when using the Q-switch MODE selector that the Q-switch
DELAY setting above it is not disturbed, since laser output power is sen-
sitive to the DELAY setting.
SINGLE SHOT/FIRE switchwhen pressed, a single pulse is triggered that

is synchronized to the next available flash lamp firing signal, regardless of
its source.
SINGLE SHOT/REP switchsets the laser to fire repetitively or one pulse
at a time. When set to the REP position, the rep rate SOURCE selector con-
trols the firing rate and the FIRE switch is defeated. When set to the SINGLE
SHOT position, the FIRE button is enabled.
INTernal/COMPUTER switchselects the controller or a remote terminal
or computer for the control source. This switch remains active when the
laser is under computer control, thus allowing you to restore manual con-
trol by simply switching it back to INTernal.
INHIBIT indicatorglows when the LAMP ON switch has been pressed to
turn off the flash lamp. It is off when the lamp is flashing.
LAMP ON switchturns on and off the flash lamp power supply and,
therefore, the lamp. If the switch is in the INHIBIT position (up position), the
lamps cannot flash and the INHIBIT indicator glows. This button is func-
tional even when the INTernal/COMPUTER switch is set to COMPUTER.
OFF indicatorglows whenever the power supply is on but the laser is
off.
STOP switchturns off the laser (sets it to standby) but power is still
applied to the system. The OFF indicator glows when this button is pressed.
This button is functional even when the INTernal/COMPUTER switch is set
to COMPUTER.
4-10
ON indicatorglows whenever the laser is on and capable of emitting

light. This indicator also serves as the CDRH emission indicator.
ENABLE switchallows the laser to begin emission and turns on the ON
indicator. The ENABLE switch operates only after the power supply circuit
breaker is closed and its keyswitch is set to the on position. This button is
functional even when the INTernal/COMPUTER switch is set to COMPUTER.
The GUI Software Menus

When using the GUI software, the Main menu is the primary monitor and
control device. Figure 4-9 shows all the controls available on that menu.
These controls can be hidden or displayed by toggling the check next to the
associated name in the pull-down list under the View tab. Two other menus,
Setup and Info, are available under the Window tab. These three menus and
their controls are described below. The program Exit button is under the
File tab.
Figure 4-9: The Main Menu Showing all Controls
Main Menu
This is the first menu that appears when the software is started. It will
remember the controls that were present the last time the program was
used.
INTERLOCK fault indicatorturns on whenever an interlock fault has
occurred. To clear the fault, turn off the laser (press the ON/OFF button), fix
the fault (refer to the MONITOR lamps on the power supply), then turn the
laser on again.
ADVANCED SYNC controladjusts the output sync signal from 700 ns
before Q-switch firing to 500 ns after it fires to allow synchronizing to aux-
4-11
iliary equipment. This signal is available at the Q-SW ADV SYNC output
connector on the power supply.
QSWITCH selectorselects the source for the timing of the Pockels cell
firing.
NORMAL (Q-switched)the Pockels cell is fired after the flash lamps
with a time delay set by the Q-SW DELAY control on the Setup menu.
LONG PULSE the Pockels cell and flash lamp are fired synchro-
nously.
EXTERNAL the Pockels cell is fired by a signal presented at the
power supply Q-SW TRIG input.
EMISSION indicatorwhen the laser is on or capable of emitting laser
light, Emission is displayed in black letters on a red background, warn-
ing that laser output is available or imminent.
PUMPS indicatorwhen on, indicates the pump is on and system has
pressure. If this lamp turns off, either the pump has failed, the reservoir is
low on fluid or there is a blockage or kink in the coolant line.
SIMMER indicator glows whenever the oscillator flash lamp simmer cur-
rent is on and turns off if simmer current is not available.
HIGH VOLTAGE indicatorwhen on, indicates the high-voltage circuits
are working properly; when off, the high-voltage system is not on yet or
has failed.
ON/OFF switchtoggles the laser on and off. When the button has been
pushed to turn on the laser, the button turns green. Otherwise, the button is
gray when the laser is off.
REPETITIVE/SINGLE/FIRE slide controlprovides a means to set the laser
system to repetitive pulse mode or single shot mode, and to fire single shots
at will. To select the desired mode, click on the lever and slide it to that
position. To fire single shots, click on the lever while it is in the single-shot
position.
REPETITIVE this position fires the lamps automatically at a rate set
by either the VAR RATE control or the source selected using the LAMPS
TRIGGER selector.
SINGLE this position takes the system out of repetitive pulse mode
and allows the operator to fire the lamps one pulse at time.
FIRE fires the lamp(s) a single time when the lever is pressed. Actual
firing is synchronized to the next pulse from the selected lamp trigger
source.
VAR RATE controlsets the lamp firing rate in a range that is approxi-
mately 1 Hz to +5% above the system fundamental FIXED frequency set-
ting as denoted by the laser model number.
LAMPS TRIGGER selectorinhibits firing or selects the source of the lamp
firing pulse.
INHIBIT prevents the lamps from firing.
FIXED sets the repetition rate to that denoted by the laser model num-
ber.
4-12
VARIABLE allows the pulse rate to be varied from approximately

1 Hz to +5% above the system fixed frequency rate using the VAR
RATE control.
EXTERNAL requires a pulse to be presented at the LAMP TRIG input
on the power supply to fire a laser pulse, but this function is con-
strained by the same limitations of the VAR RATE setting. Do not
exceed this rating.
Setting Menu
Figure 4-10: The Setup Menu

This menu allows the operator to set the oscillator pfn in terms of percent
of available power, set the Q-Switch delay time and to tell the system that a
new lamp has been installed.
OSC PFN windowallows the user to enter the PFN voltage in terms of
percent of total power by pressing the up/down arrows on the window or by
typing the desired value from 0 to 100 percent in the window.
Q-SWITCH DELAY selector allows the operator to delay the firing of the
Q-Switch down to 60 and up to 500 s from the actual firing pulse and
shows the delay time in the window. Use this timing function to optimize
the output pulse. Enter the setting by turning the knob, pressing the up/
down arrows on the window, or typing the desired time delay in the win-
dow.
NEW LAMP INSTALLED buttontells the system that a new lamp has been
installed and resets the shot counter.
Information Menu
Figure 4-11: The Information Menu
4-13
This menu displays information about the Lab-Series system.

LASER MODEL numberis the model number as read from the system.
The last number denotes the standard firing repetition rate.
LAB SOFTWARE REVision numberdisplays the current software revi-
sion for the control pc board in the power supply.
SOFTWARE REVision numberdisplays the current GUI software revi-
sion.
LAMP SHOTS numberdisplays the total shots fired since the lamp was
installed, which gives the operator an idea of how long he can expect the
lamp(s) to last. This number cannot be changed on-screen. However, if a
lamp is replaced, this number must be reset to zero using the Shots com-
mand described in Appendix B, The Programming Reference Guide.
This command can also be used to reset to the count to a number other than
zero if a lamp is replaced with a lamp that has already been used in the sys-
tem.
HISTORY buffer windowdisplays the last 16 status/error code entries
made by the system (refer to Appendix A. These codes are used for diag-
nostic purposes only. The most recent entry is to the left.
4-14
Chapter 5 Installation and Alignment
Installing the Laser

The following installation procedure is provided for reference only; it is not
intended as a guide to the initial installation and set-up of your laser. Please
call your service representative to arrange an installation appointment,
which is part of your purchase agreement. Allow only personnel qualified
and authorized by Spectra-Physics to install and set up your laser system.
Caution! The use of controls or adjustments or the performance of procedures

other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation
exposure.
Warning! Purge the laser with dry nitrogen only or you will void your warranty!
1. Place the laser head on a suitable optical table and place the controller
near it.
2. Place the power supply on the floor within 3 m (10 ft) of the facility
power source (the length of the power cord) and within 3 m of the laser
head (the length of the umbilical).
Caution! The air vents on the power supply provide cooling for components
inside. These vents are strategically placed for air flow management.
Allow about 0.5 m (2 ft) clearance around the power supply for proper
air movement.
3. Loosen the two screws on each side of the power supply and carefully
lift off the cover.
Connecting the Electrical Service

The main autotransformer is located in the power supply on the lower tray
near the heat exchanger (Figure 5-1).
1. Connect the white wire to the tap that most closely matches your facil-
ity line voltage. The autotransformer has several taps, each marked
with a different operating voltage (Figure 5-1). The range of the auto-
transformer is 190 to 260 Vac. The operating range of the laser is 10%
of this voltage.
5-1
Figure 5-1: The location of the autotransformer in the power supply.

Taps shown for operating voltages ranging from 190 to 260 Vac.
2. Verify the correct fuses are installed for your system configuration.
Figure 5-2 shows the location of the fuses in the power supply. A label
listing the proper fuse size is located near the fuses. The specification
tables at the end of Chapter 3 list the system power requirements for
the different configurations.
Main Fuses
Figure 5-2: Location of system fuses.

3. Connect the 3 m (10 ft.) power cord to your facility service outlet. Ver-
ify the green wire is connected to earth ground, not neutral.
5-2
Installation and Alignment
Connecting the Power Supply and Laser Head

Connecting the power supply and laser head entails attaching the umbilical
to the laser head and hooking up a nitrogen purge to the laser head. All the
umbilical connections at the laser head are polarized so that they cannot be
inadvertently swapped. In addition, the three electrical connections contain
interlock sensors that prevent the laser from starting if one or more is dis-
connected. Refer to Figure 5-3.
Q-Switch
Connector

Figure 5-3: The Lab-series laser head showing connections for the
umbilical.
1. Connect the three large electrical connectors by pushing them in, then
screwing on the outer shell.
2. Connect the input to the nitrogen purge flow regulator (included in the
accessory kit) to the dry nitrogen tank.
You need to supply the hose fittings for attaching the regulator hose to
your nitrogen supply.
3. Connect the flow regulator output hose to the purge input port on the
laser head.
Simply push the hose fitting in until it clicks. To remove the hose, push
in on the retaining wire clip and pull the hose out.
4. Connect the Q-switch BNC control cable to the laser head panel.
5. Connect the two coolant water hoses to the laser head connector panel.
The hoses are polarized. Simply push the hoses on until they click. to
remove a hose, push on the metal retaining tab and pull the hose out.
Be careful of water spillage when removing hoses.
This completes the procedure to connect the power supply to the laser head.
Connecting the Harmonic Generator

If a harmonic generator (HG) was ordered with the laser or ordered later, or
if the HG was removed for some reason, mount it after completing the
installation of the laser. When ready, refer to Chapter 7, HG Harmonic
Generator: Installing the HG. The HG must be purged with nitrogen. A
gauge and hose fittings are part of your accessory kit. Connect the nitrogen
tank to the gauge and the gauge to the Inlet Purge Connector on the umbili-
cal end of the laser head (see Figure 5-3).
5-3
Filling the Cooling System
Warning! To prevent damage caused by freezing, the laser cooling system was
drained before initial shipment. The system must be filled with water
before operating the laser for the first time. Your Spectra-Physics ser-
vice representative will perform this task during initial installation.
Before he arrives, obtain 20 l (5 gal) of distilled water for filling and
flushing the system.
During the following process, water will have to be added to the reservoir
in the power supply (Figure 5-4) several times as the system fills. Rather
than remove and replace the reservoir cover several times, it is easier to use
a long-necked funnel placed in the return hose entry of the reservoir cover
to add water as needed.
Level Sensor
Return Hose
Deionizing Filter
Reservoir
Particle Filter
Cooling Pump
Figure 5-4: Cooling System Component Identification

1. Pull the small return hose from the coolant reservoir cover.
Take care not to spill any water that may still be in the hose.
2. Place a long-necked funnel in the vacated hole in the reservoir cover.
3. Fill the reservoir with distilled water.
Warning! Avoid spilling water on any electrical components. When power is reap-
plied, some components will contain high voltage and damage can
occur. If you do spill water, clean it up immediately.
4. Set these system controls as follows:
Control Setting
Circuit breaker (power supply) Closed
Keyswitch (power supply) ON
LAMP ON switch (controller) OFF (INHIBIT light is on)
5-4
Installation and Alignment
Refer to Chapter 4, Controls, Indicators and Connections, for control

descriptions.
5. Hold the coolant return hose over a drain or bucket, then press the
ENABLE button on the controller to start the cooling system pump.
6. As water is pumped to the head and removed from the reservoir, add
water, keeping it full, until water flows from the return hose.
Do not let the reservoir run dry. If the reservoir gets close to empty,
press the POWER OFF button immediately, then add water and try
again.
7. Once water flows from the return hose, allow the water in the reservoir
to drop to below the upper fill level on the power supply rear panel,
then press the POWER OFF button.
If the water dropped below the upper fill level, add water.
8. Remove the funnel and shove the return line back into the hole in the
reservoir cover.
9. Replace the power supply cover and tighten the screws.
Air ventsprovide air cooling for components inside the power supply.
These vents are strategically placed for air flow management. Allow about
0.5 m (2 ft) clearance around the power supply for proper air movement.
This completes the installation of the Lab-Series laser.
Installing the Lab-Series GUI Software for Remote Control

The Lab-Series GUI control software is supplied on CD-ROM for installa-
tion on your own Windows*-based personal computer or notebook. Alter-
natively, a remote computer or terminal can be used to run your own
software program to control the Lab-Series laser automatically. If you
choose the latter, refer to Appendix B, Programming Reference Guide,
for instructions on using the programing commands.
1. If you are going to use the GUI control software to control your sys-
tem, verify your computer meets these minimum requirements.
486 (or higher) processor, 66 MHz or higher
16 MB RAM or more, (32 MB RAM recommended)
3 MB available disk space for installation
a Windows-compatible pointing device, such as a mouse
a video display with 640 x 480 (VGA) or higher resolution (800 x
600 to 1024 x 768 preferred)
an available RS-232 serial port properly configured for 9600 baud,
8 bits, 2 stop bits, no parity.
Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 or XP operating system.
2. Place your computer in a convenient location.
3. Using a standard 9-pin serial extension cable, connect the computer to
the RS-232 connector on the front of the power supply. Refer to Chap-
ter 4 for connector and pin specifications.
*
Windows and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
5-5
4. Install the GUI control software:

a. Place the CD-ROM in the drive, then double-click My Computer
> D: > Setup.exe. The software will create a directory on drive
C by default, but will allow you to place it wherever you wish. It
will then install itself in that directory.
b. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. It
will install LabWindows run-time components into the c:/win-
dows/system directory and place an icon on the desktop for con-
venient program startup.
An uninstall program is also placed in the selected directory in the
event you wish to remove these program components from your
system at a later date (e.g., when you wish to change or upgrade
the host computer).
5. Refer to Chapter 6, Operation: Operation Using the GUI Interface
for instructions on setting the computer to communicate with the
power supply and to run the laser. Refer to Chapter 4 for descriptions
of the menus and their controls.
Alignment
Danger! Your Lab-Series laser was aligned at the factory by specially trained
professionals and again when it was first set up at your site. It should not
require further alignment in the field. Furthermore, the laser contains
lethal high voltage and generates an enormous amount of optical power
that can cause damage and even injury. Therefore, do not attempt to
align the laser yourself, you may void your warranty. Instead, call your
Spectra-Physics service representative.
5-6
Chapter 6 Operation
The Lab-Series Nd:YAG laser system is controlled locally using the table-
top controller provided with the system. It can be controlled remotely via
the 9-pin RS-232 serial port on the power supply using the Windows*-
based software provided with the system. It emulates the controller func-
tions on a computer. It also can be controlled remotely using your own soft-
ware program running on a computer. Appendix B, Programming
Reference Guide, explains the Lab-Series RS-232 command language and
how it is used to control the laser system. (Note: an optional IEEE-488 port
is also available for remote control of the system.)
Chapter 5 explains how to connect the system and explains how to install
the Lab-Series GUI software. This chapter assumes this has already been
done if you are going to use it.
This chapter is divided into two major sections. The first describes laser
operation using the provided local controller. The second describes laser
operation using the GUI software provided. The
Operation Using the Controller
Quanta-Ray
SIMMER ERROR

VAR LP
SOURCE MODE
INT
Figure 6-1: The Controller
*
Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation
6-1
Quick Start/Stop Procedure

The standard start-up procedure follows this section.
Start-up
1. Turn on the power supply front panel POWER circuit breaker.
2. Turn on the power supply front panel POWER key switch.
3. Set the controller as follows:
Control Setting
OSC LAMP ENERGY knob START
SOURCE switch FIXED
MODE switch Q-SW
INT/COMPUTER switch INT
SINGLE SHOT/REP switch REP
LAMP ON switch Lamp on (INHIBIT lamp is off)
Q-SWitch DELAY knob mid-range
4. Verify all covers are on.

5. Temporarily depress the ENABLE switch.
6. After the start-up delay, slowly increase the OSC LAMP ENERGY knob
to 10.
7. Adjust the Q-SWitch DELAY knob until energy output is at its max.
Shut-down
1. Decrease OSC LAMP ENERGY to START.
2. Press the STOP switch.
3. Allow the water to flow for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to cool down
the lamp(s) and rod(s). This is important for proper cool-down!
4. Turn off the external cooling water supply, or the heat exchanger, if
one is used.
Standard Operation
Start-up
For day to day operation after you have some experience operating this sys-
tem, you may want to use the Quick Start/Stop Procedures above to save
time. The following detailed procedures are provided for those who are not
familiar with the system.
Control Setting
Oscillator (OSC) LAMP ENERGY knob START
Rep rate SOURCE switch FIXED
Q-SWitch MODE switch Q-SW
6-2
Operation
Control Setting
INT/COMPUTER switch INT
SINGLE SHOT/REP switch SINGLE SHOT
LAMP ON switch Lamp on (INHIBIT lamp is off)
2. Verify the power supply POWER circuit breaker is open (off), then
apply utility power to the system.
3. Close the power supply POWER circuit breaker.
4. Turn on POWER key switch.
5. Press the ENABLE button.
6. When the simmer light turns on, turn the OSC LAMP ENERGY knob to
position 7.
Danger! In the following step, do not look at the film when taking a burn pattern.
Laser Radiation The light will be very bright.
7. Obtain a burn pattern to check for proper alignment and any optical
damage.
a. Place a piece of unexposed but developed Polaroid film into a
transparent plastic bag, then place it in the beam path about 1 m
from the laser.
b. Press the SINGLE SHOT: FIRE button once.
8. If the burn pattern is symmetrical (Figure 6-2), set the MODE switch to
Q-SW and adjust the Q-SW DELAY control for maximum output energy.
You can safely raise the LAMP ENERGY control to maximum and
increase the repetition rate by setting the SOURCE switch to VARiable
and increasing the rate to the level desired.
Good Clipped Diffraction Evident Misaligned HR Misalligned OC
Figure 6-2: Burn Patterns

If the burn pattern is asymmetrical or has flared edges, set the MODE
switch to Q-SW and adjust the Q-SW DELAY control for maximum out-
put energy, then reset the system for single shot and repeat these last
two steps to take a second burn pattern. If this pattern is asymmetrical
or has flared edges, call your Spectra-Physics service representative.)
Warning! Only allow personnel trained and authorized by Spectra-Physics to align

your Lab-Series laser. Misalignment can permanently damage cavity
optics. Such damage is not covered by warranty.
6-3
Interlock Faults
An interlock fault shuts off the laser to minimize the risk of damage to sys-
tem components. This is either caused by something that has failed, or
there is a possibility of laser radiation exposure. Interlocks include: water
flow sensor, auxiliary interlock connector, laser head water temperature
sensor, power supply cover switch, and laser head cover switches. Also
included in the interlock chain are the cables to the power supply Control
pc board and Power pc board (both inside the power supply), the controller
and the laser head. When a fault occurs, the interlock fault MONITOR lamps
on the power supply glow.
Note It is normal for the INTERLOCK FAULT indicator to glow when the circuit
breaker and key switch are on but the laser is off because there is no
cooling water flow. Press the ENABLE button to start the coolant pump
and clear the fault.
Restarting the Laser after an Interlock Fault

1. Clear the fault.
Refer to the MONITOR indicators on the power supply to find out what
caused the fault.
2. Turn the OSC LAMP ENERGY control to START.
3. Press the ENABLE switch to start the laser, or issue a start command via
the computer if the system is set for computer control.
Single-Shot Operation
Single-shot operation is typically only used for setup and test. Firing a sin-
gle shot requires two signals: an enabling signal, such as pressing the SIN-
GLE SHOT switch on the controller panel or issuing a fire command from a
remote computer, and one to fire it, which is the next available pulse from
the continuously running system frequency generator. This pulse fires the
Marx bank once, and until the firing circuit is armed again, subsequent
pulses are inhibited. (Remote operation is covered in Appendix A.)
This completes the procedures for standard laser start-up using the control-
ler.
Shut-down
You can damage the laser if you do not shut it down properly. When fin-
ished using the laser, perform the following steps in the order they are pre-
sented.
1. Reduce the output to zero by turning the LAMP ENERGY control to
START.
the lamp(s) and rod(s). This is important for long lamp and rod life!
3. Press the STOP button, turn off the key switch on the power supply,
and turn off the circuit breaker.
6-4
Operation
4. Turn off the external cooling water supply (or the heat exchanger if one
is used).
5. Do not turn off the purge supply.
Let it flow 24 hours a day at 2 scfm.
This completes the shut down procedure using the controller.
Operation Using the GUI Interface

Refer to Figure 6-3 while performing these procedures. Refer to Chapter 4
for descriptions of the controls.
Figure 6-3: The Main Menu
Quick Start/Stop Procedure

The standard start-up procedure follows this section.
Start-up
1. Turn on the power supply front panel POWER circuit breaker.
2. Turn on the power supply front panel POWER key switch.
3. Set the Main menu controls as follows:
Control Setting
LAMPS TRIGGER knob FIXED
QSWITCH knob NORMAL
INT/COMPUTER switch (on controller if COMPUTER
plugged into the power supply)
Single shot/rep switch REPETITIVE
Q-SWITCH DELAY knob (on Setup menu) mid-range
6-5
4. Verify the laser head and power supply covers are on.
5. Click on the ON/OFF button to start the cooling pump and start the laser.
6. Once the system is at full power, adjust the Q-SWITCH DELAY knob
until energy output is at its max.
Shut-down
1. Press the ON/OFF button.
2. Once the laser has turned off, allow the water to flow for an additional
5 to 10 minutes to cool down the lamp(s) and rod(s). Proper cool-
down is important for long lamp and rod life!
is used).
Standard Operation
Start-up
For day-to-day operation after you have gained some experience operating
this system, use the Quick Start/Stop Procedures above to save time. The
following detailed procedures are provided in the event you are not yet
familiar with the system.
Control Setting
LAMPS TRIGGER knob FIXED
QSWITCH knob NORMAL
INT/COMPUTER switch (on controller if COMPUTER
plugged into the power supply)
Single shot/rep switch SINGLE
Q-SWITCH DELAY knob (on Setup menu) mid-range
2. Verify the power supply POWER circuit breaker is open (off), then
apply utility power to the system.
3. Close the power supply POWER circuit breaker.
4. Turn on POWER key switch.
5. Click on the ON/OFF button.
Danger! In the following step, do not look at the film when taking a burn pattern.
Laser Radiation The light will be very bright.
6. Obtain a burn pattern to check for proper alignment and any optical
damage.
a. Place a piece of unexposed but developed Polaroid film into a
transparent plastic bag, then place it in the beam path about 1 m
from the laser.
b. Press the FIRE button once.
6-6
Operation
7. If the burn pattern is symmetrical (Figure 6-4), set the QSWITCH knob
to NORMAL and adjust the Q-SW DELAY control for maximum output
energy. You can safely increase the repetition rate by setting the
LAMPS TRIGGER switch to VARIABLE and increasing the rate to the
level desired.
Good Clipped Diffraction Evident Misaligned HR Misalligned OC
Figure 6-4: Burn Patterns

If the burn pattern is asymmetrical or has flared edges, set the
QSWITCH knob to NORMAL and adjust the Q-SW DELAY control for
maximum output energy, then reset the system for single shot and
repeat these last two steps to take a second burn pattern. If this pattern
is asymmetrical or has flared edges, call your Spectra-Physics service
representative.)
Warning! Only allow personnel trained and authorized by Spectra-Physics to align

your Lab-Series laser. Misalignment can permanently damage cavity
optics. Such damage is not covered by warranty.
Interlock Faults
If an interlock fault is detected, the laser shuts off to minimize the risk of
damage to system components. Such a fault is caused either by something
that has failed or a condition where there is a possibility of laser radiation
exposure. Interlocks include: water flow sensor, auxiliary interlock connec-
tor (for a user-installed switch), laser head water temperature sensor, power
supply cover switch, and laser head cover switches. Also included in the
interlock chain are the signal cables to the power supply Control and Power
pc boards, the controller and the laser head. When a fault occurs, the inter-
lock fault MONITOR lamps on the power supply glow.
Note It is normal for the power supply INTERLOCK indicator to glow when the
circuit breaker and key switch on the power supply are on and the laser
is off because there is no cooling water flow. Click on the ON/OFF but-
ton to start the coolant pump and start the laser.
When an interlock fault occurs, an interlock warning window will pop up

on the computer screen with a list of possible fault areas.
Restarting the Laser after an Interlock Fault
1. Refer to the interlock warning pop-up window for a list of possible
faults. Also refer to the MONITOR indicators on the power supply to
find out what caused the fault.
6-7
2. Once resolved, press the ON/OFF button to clear the fault and start the
laser. If multiple faults have occurred, the system will refuse to start
and a second pop-up window will appear. When all faults have been
resolved, press the ON/OFF button to clear the final fault and start the
laser
Single-shot operation is typically only used for setup and test. Otherwise
the system is set to repetitive mode.
Shut-down
The laser can be damaged if it is not shut down properly. When finished
using the laser, perform the following steps in the order presented.
1. Click on the on/off button to turn off the laser.
the lamp(s) and rod(s). Proper cool-down is important for long lamp
and rod life!
3. Turn off the key switch on the power supply, and turn off the circuit
breaker.
is used).
5. Do not turn off the purge supply.
Let it flow 24 hours a day at 2 scfm.
Moving the Laser System

Take extreme care when moving the laser system to another location. Typi-
cally, the laser head can be placed on top of the power supply along with
the controller, and the whole system can be moved to another nearby loca-
tion.
If the unit is to be shipped anywhere, or if it is to be moved off site (out of
the building), it is highly recommended that the system be disconnected
and each component moved separately. Refer to Chapter 5, Installation
and Alignment, and disconnect the power supply, laser head and controller
in reverse order of assembly. Refer to Chapter 10, Service and Repair:
Shipping the Laser and Power Supply, for information on draining the
coolant from the power supply and laser head.
Warning! Make sure that, before shipping the laser or the power supply, the cool-
ant is completely drained from each. The temperature in an aircraft
cargo hold can freeze the coolant and can cause several components to
burst. Such damage is not covered under your warranty!
6-8
Chapter 7 Harmonic Generator
Warning! The harmonic generator (HG) uses KD*P crystals. These crystals are
sensitive to thermal shock, so change temperatures slowly. They are also
hygroscopic, i.e., they are water soluble. Avoid getting them wet, and
keep the humidity in their environment low. To ensure a low-humidity
environment, it is recommended the power supply circuit breaker be left
on even when the other equipment is turned off (including the power
supply keyswitch) so that the HG heater remains on. This also dramati-
cally reduces warm-up time when the system is used the next time.
Harmonic Generator Controls
1st Stage Crystal

Translation Arm
Input Window Output Window

(Shown Covered) (Shown Covered)
2nd Stage Crystal

Translation Arm
HG TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER
Power ON LED
ON SHG THG/FHG ON
Power Switch Power Switch

PWR INC HTR HTR INC OFF
TEMP TEMP
SHG Adjust Warming LED Warming LED THG/FHG Adjust
Figure 7-1: HG and Temperature Controller Component Identifica-

tion. The controller is located inside the laser head near the HG.
7-1
Figure 7-2: Controller shown behind the HG.

Input polarization rotatorrotates the polarization of the 1064 nm input
beam to optimize it with the crystal for maximum conversion efficiency.
Crystal translation arm (one for each stage)slides the crystals in and
out of the beam path and serves as a lever for angle tuning the crystals. The
first stage crystal translation arm serves as an indicator of the polarization
of the output beam. Notches in the arms lock the crystals in position. Refer
to Table 7-2 and Table 7-3 at the end of this chapter for arm settings.
Note As a rule, the polarization of the harmonic is perpendicular to the tuning

axis of the crystal.
Angle tuning knob (one for each tuning arm)adjusts the angle of the
crystal for the most efficient harmonic generation, optically aligning it with
the input beam.
Main housingrotates about the optical axis to change the polarization
for different harmonic crystals. The output polarization is always vertical.
Clamping screws lock the HG in the desired orientation.
7-2
Harmonic Generator
Harmonic Generator Temperature Controller Controls

The temperature controller provides power to heat the HG crystals, then
stabilizes their temperature to maintain a stable output despite changes in
ambient temperature. And because the crystals are hygroscopic, keeping
the crystals warm also minimizes unwanted optical effects caused by water
absorption. It also dramatically reduces system warm-up time. The ideal
temperature setting is one that allows the affected crystal to produce the
most harmonic generated light.
PWR ON switchturns on the temperature controller and the Channel 1
heater.
SHG HEATER indicatorglows as the controller heats the second har-
monic generator (SHG) crystals. The lamp will turn on and off periodically
as the controller maintains the temperature.
SHG INCrease TEMPerature controlsets the temperature of the second
harmonic crystals. Its range is approximately 3050 C over 20 turns.
THG/FHG HEATER indicatorglows as the controller heats the third and
fourth harmonic generator (THG and FHG) crystals. The lamp turns on and
off periodically as the controller maintains the temperature.
THG/FHG INCrease TEMPerature controlsets the temperature of the
third and fourth harmonic crystals. Its range is approximately 3050 C
over 20 turns.
THG/FHG ON/OFF switchturns on the heater for the third and fourth har-
monic crystals.
Control cableattaches to the HG heater input connector to provide
power from the controller for the heaters in the HG and sensor signals from
the HG to the controller.
Installing the Harmonic Generator

The HG was optically aligned at the factory. Therefore, the following pro-
cedure should allow optimal harmonic generation from all crystals in the
unit. If the HG was not purchased with the Lab-Series laser but added later,
a Spectra-Physics service representative will install both the HG and the
temperature controller as part of your warranty agreement.
Warning! Never move the crystal into or out of the beam while the laser is run-
ning.
1. Remove wrapping, tie-downs and restrainers from the HG.

2. Install the HG base plate on the L-frame (three spring-loaded screws
hold it down).
Three setscrews, each located next to a hold-down screw, work against
the springs to adjust the HG vertically.
3. Plug the control cable from the temperature controller into the back of
the HG.
The connector is keyed and only goes in one way.
7-3
4. Place the HG so that the four elongated holes on its yoke line up with
the corresponding threaded holes in the base plate. Start all four
mounting screws, but leave them loose to allow horizontal movement
of the HG.
5. Slide both crystal translation arms to the 0 position (pushed all the
way in: note the markings on the arm) to move the crystals out of the
beam path.
6. Start the laser, then set controls on the controller as follows (do not use
the GUI interface during this installation):
Table 7-1: Controller Settings
Control Setting
LAMP ENERGY Near threshold
Q-SW DELAY Optimum
SOURCE FIXED
MODE Long Pulse
INT-COMPUTER switch INTernal
SINGLE SHOT switch REPetitive
LAMP ON switch OFF (INHIBIT light is on)
Danger! Use protective eyewear throughout the rest of this procedure. Make all
Laser Radiation adjustments with the laser near the lasing threshold and in Long Pulse
mode.
7. Adjust the HG horizontally and vertically to center the input and exit
windows on the laser beam. Reduce the ambient light in the room and
use an infrared (IR) card as a detector for the input beam. If the HG
must be moved vertically more than its spring-loaded screws allow,
walk the vertical adjustment by simultaneously loosening one
spring-loaded screw and tightening the vertical adjustment screw next
to it. Repeat with the other vertical adjustments.
8. Connect the purge system to the HG and purge for 15 minutes before
proceeding.
9. Check for clipping of the output beam (use an IR card.) Adjust the
base plate of the HG if the crystal clips the beam. Turn the HG to the
other polarization orientation and check again for clipping.
Note The rate of rotation of the beam polarization is twice that of the polar-
ization rotator.
7-4
Harmonic Generator
Operation
1. Verify purge flow is set to 0.5 SCFH, and purge the system for 15 min-
utes before proceeding.
2. Set the crystal translation arms for the wavelength of interest (refer to
Table 7-2 and Table 7-3 at the end of this chapter for arm settings).
Example: to obtain the second harmonic from a type I SHG crystal:
a. Slide the first stage crystal translation arm to I, which places the
type I crystal in the beam path.
b. Slide the second stage crystal translation arm to O, which moves
the second stage crystals out of the beam path.
3. Turn the main housing on its yoke to orient the output for vertical
polarization (it should always be vertical).
Example: to obtain vertically polarized second harmonic output, turn
the main housing on its yoke until the first stage translation arm is ver-
tical. This orients the axis of rotation horizontally for tuning the crystal.
4. Switch to Q-SWitch mode, then angle-tune the crystal for maximum
output at the wavelength of interest.
5. Adjust the polarization rotator for maximum output.
Type I and II Crystals

The type I crystal creates a 1064 nm residual fundamental that is linearly
polarized and is useful when mixing frequencies. It produces up to 10%
more third harmonic power than a type II crystal, even though its doubling
process is less efficient.
The type II crystal creates a 1064 nm residual fundamental that is ellipti-
cally polarized and has a slightly higher conversion efficiency than a type I.
It is typically used for dye laser applications.
Second Harmonic (types I and II),

and Third and Fourth Harmonic Generation
1. Turn on the temperature controller and the SHG channel heater.
2. Select crystals and output polarization as described in Table 7-2 and
Table 7-3 for the desired wavelength.
3. Turn on the laser and adjust the HG for maximum output at this wave-
length.
4. Watch the HEATER indicators. They should remain on for several min-
utes while the crystals warm up, and both lamps will blink periodically
when the temperature is stable (there is a slow oscillation around a set
point as the controller turns the heater on and off to keep the crystal
temperature constant). Set the crystal temperature just above room
temperature, and monitor the indicators to make sure the crystal tem-
perature remains stable.
7-5
If either lamp turns off and stays off, turn the associated INC TEMP
control clockwise to increase the temperature a little. The lamp should
turn on, glow continuously for a short time, and blink after that.
If either lamp continues to glow after 10 minutes of operation, turn the
associated INC TEMP pot counterclockwise just until the lamp shuts
off. It should stay off for a short time and blink after that.
5. The fourth harmonic crystal is temperature dependent. In addition to
generating UV, it also absorbs IR. When too warm, it approaches its
critical phase-matching angle and output power will diminish. At this
point, either reduce the input power or turn off the SHG channel heater
and let the crystal cool off.
In the tables below, find the combination of wavelength, polarization, and
SHG crystal for the output of interest on the left-hand side of the table and
set the HG as described on the right-hand side. All output wavelengths are
collinear; they can be separated by dichroic beam splitters or dispersive
prisms (or equivalent optics).
Note It is easy to determine the polarization plane of the last harmonic gener-
ated by the HG. It is in the same plane as (in-line with) the long control
arm that is associated with the crystal generating that harmonic.
Table 7-2: Summary of Translation Arm Positions1

Stage Arm Position Crystal Position
1st O First stage crystals out of beam path
I Type I SHG2 crystal in beam path
II Type II SHG2 crystal in beam path
2nd O Second stage crystals out of beam path
T THG3 crystal in beam path
F FHG4 crystal in beam path
1
Table describes an HG with a full complement of harmonic generation crystals.
2
Second Harmonic Generation (532 nm).
3
Third Harmonic Generation (355 nm)occurs by summing the fundamental (1064 nm)
and its second harmonic. Type I second harmonic produces optimal third harmonic per-
formance.
4
Fourth Harmonic Generation (266 nm)occurs by generating the second harmonic of
the second harmonic of the fundamental. Type II second harmonic produces optimal
fourth harmonic performance.
7-6
Harmonic Generator
Caution! The table below provides both vertical and horizontal polarization
options available from your HG unit. The IHS dichroics have been opti-
mized for vertical polarization.
Table 7-3: Summary of HG Settings

Output of HG Settings1
Interest
(nm) Polarization SHG Main 1st 2nd
Crystal Housing Stage Stage Stage
Position Position Position Position
1064 Horizontal 0 0
532 Vertical I Horizontal I 0
Horizontal I Vertical I 0
Vertical II Horizontal II 0
Horizontal II Vertical II 0
355 Vertical I Vertical I T
Horizontal I Horizontal I T
Vertical II Vertical II T
Horizontal II Horizontal II T
266 Vertical I Vertical I F
Horizontal I Horizontal I F
Vertical II Vertical II F
Horizontal II Horizontal II F
1
Table describes an HG with a full complement of harmonic generation crystals.
7-7
7-8
Chapter 8 Internal Harmonic Separator
Warning! The internal harmonic separator (IHS) transmits and modifies Class IV-
High Power Laser beams. These beams are eye, skin, and fire hazards;
therefore, take precautions to prevent accidental exposure to both direct
and reflected beams. Diffuse as well as specular reflections can cause
severe eye or skin damage.
Dichroics
Dichroic mirrors are used to separate the second, third and fourth harmonic
from the Nd:YAG fundamental in the Lab-Series laser. The small amount
of unwanted harmonics in the beam is regarded as inconsequential for OPO
operation, and the convenience and flexibility of dichroic separation when
used in other applications has led to the creation of the internal dichroic
harmonic separator for general-purpose use.
Dichroic mirrors are characterized by high reflectivity at one range of
wavelengths and low reflectivity elsewhere. Advanced optical coating tech-
niques now allow excellent color separation with high damage thresholds,
even into the ultraviolet (UV).
IHS System Description

The IHS system provides high throughput of various combinations of the
second, third and fourth harmonics as well as the fundamental 1064 nm
beam. The system has two basic parts: the optics sets that transmit the
desired wavelengths and the wave plate sets that adjust the polarization
state of residual beams. The illustrations on the following pages show the
possible combinations. Note: some setups require the removal of the beam
dump.
Dichroic mirrors DM1 and DM2 are mounted in standard mounts and have
vertical and horizontal mirror adjustments. For repeatability, a knurled ring
holds each mirror against a 3-ball seating surface. Refer to Replacing the
Dichroic Mirrors later in this chapter for instructions on changing mirrors.
The following components comprise the IHS system:
IHS-532a pair of mounted 532 nm dichroic beam splitters that separate
the second harmonic from the fundamental. This set is included in the basic
IHS but is also available separately.
IHS-355a pair of optional, mounted 355 nm dichroic beam splitters that
separate the third harmonic from the fundamental and second harmonic.
8-1
IHS-266a pair of optional, mounted 266 nm dichroic beam splitters that

separate the fourth harmonic from the fundamental and second harmonic.
WP-3an optional waveplate set that orients the polarization of 532 nm
output. The orientation of the harmonic generator on the pump laser deter-
mines the polarization of the shortest harmonic input.
WP-4an optional wave plate set that linearly polarizes the 1064 nm resid-
ual fundamental output of the Lab-Series laser after type II second har-
monic generation. It orients the polarization after type I second harmonic
generation.
System Configurations
The modularity of the IHS allows several system configurations by using a
combination of the optics sets listed above to provide selected output. The
more common configurations are shown in Figure 8-1 to Figure 8-3. Two
windows in the front bezel on 4 in. standard Quanta-Ray spacing provide
selected wavelength output. Figure 8-1 shows the possible placement of
these optics. Some configurations require the removal of the beam dump
(refer to Removing the Beam Dump below).
Laser Head
4 in.
HG Beam Dump
Figure 8-1: The various mounting and output options for the Lab-
Series laser.
Single wavelengthfor second, third or fourth harmonic only, use the IHS-
532 or IHS-266 or IHS-355 as shown in Figure 8-2.
Laser Head
IHS-XXX 1064, 532, 355 or 266 nm
4 in.
HG Beam Dump
Figure 8-2: Single wavelength: second, third or fourth harmonic.
8-2
Internal Harmonic Separator
Dual wavelengthsfor second, third, or fourth harmonic plus fundamental,

use the IHS-532, IHS-355 or IHS-266, and the WP-4 as shown in Figure 8-3.
Laser Head
IHS-XXX 532, 355 or 266 nm
4 in.
1064 nm
HG Beam Dump WP4
Removed
Figure 8-3: Dual wavelength: Second, third or forth harmonic plus the
fundamental.
Removing the Beam Dump

Some configurations require that the water-cooled beam dump be removed.
When removing the beam dump, remove one cooling line at the harmonic
generator and the other at the beam dump. Then attach the end removed at
the beam dump to the vacant barb on the HG. Verify you have properly
reattached the water lines to the harmonic generator before you turn on the
laser. When replacing the beam dump, reverse this process to include the
beam dump in the cooling loop.
Installing the IHS Mirror Mounts

There are times when a different wavelength or output port must be used
and a different mirror arrangement is required. Use the following instruc-
tions when the IHS mirror mounts were removed and must be re-installed
or when they have to be moved to another location.
Danger! During installation, always operate the Nd:YAG laser at low levels to
prevent injury to yourself or damage to the system or both. To pump
with the second harmonic, the low level setting should be un-Q-
switched. The same conditions apply to the third and fourth harmonic,
except that a UV fluorescent card can be used to detect the beam. Safety
goggles or glasses are required any time the laser is on, even at low
energy.
8-3
HG Temperature Controller
IHS Dichroic Mirror DM2
Harmonic
Generator
Aluminum
Base Plate
IHS Dichroic Mirror DM1
Beam Dump
Figure 8-4: The IHS dichroic mirrors shown in the normal position.
1. Remove the laser head cover (4 screws) and install the shortest wave-
length dichroics at this time.
2. Install the optic mounts in the desired location (refer to Figure 8-1
through Figure 8-3). Use two screws to fasten the mount to the base
plate.
3. Put a power meter or beam dump at the output ports to be used.
4. Turn on the laser in Long Pulse mode.
5. Adjust the dichroic mirror mounts vertically and horizontally to center
the harmonic beam on the selected output port.
6. If you want to use additional second-harmonic dichroics, turn off the
laser and install them along with the required wave plates (WP-3 or
WP-4). Turn on the laser and set it to a safe power level again.
7. Check the alignment of the second harmonic beam and wave plates.
8. Verify the harmonic generator is set so that the shortest harmonic is
vertically polarized (refer to Chapter 7).
9. Turn off the laser.
10. Install the appropriate windows and absorption filters in the beam
paths as required, or enclose the beam path in dust tubes.
11. Replace the cover.
This completes the installation procedure.
8-4
Internal Harmonic Separator
Replacing the Dichroic Mirrors

When changing output wavelengths of the harmonic generator, (from 2nd to
3rd or 3rd to 4th etc.), it is necessary to change dichroic separator mirrors.
Note: a change in HG setting typically causes the output beam to be dis-
placed from its original path. A slight offset can be compensated for by
adjusting the IHS mirrors.
1. Prior to changing the HG setting and the dichroic mirrors, note the
location of the beam on a far-field target.
2. Unscrew the knurled retaining ring on DM2 (see Figure 8-5).
Adjustments
Horiz. Vert.
Mirror Mount
Ring
Mounting Holes
Figure 8-5: The IHS Mirror Holder

3. Remove the finger spring and dichroic optic.
4. Install the new dichroic optic with the arrow on the barrel facing
towards the incoming laser beam. The optic should rest against the 3-
ball mirror seat.
5. Place the finger spring into the knurled retaining ring with the fingers
facing towards the dichroic optic.
6. Tighten the retaining ring to compress the finger spring against the
dichroic optic and hold it in place.
7. Repeat the procedure for the second dichroic optic.
8. Change the HG setting to the desired wavelength(s).
9. Slightly readjust the vertical and horizontal controls of DM2 to place the
beam back on target.
8-5
Operating the IHS

Since the IHS is a completely passive device, no special procedures or
alignments are required during routine operation. When harmonic separa-
tion is required, install the appropriate mirror set into the mounts.
Removing/Replacing the Beam Dump

The optional Model BD-6 water-cooled beam dump is positioned after the
first dichroic mirror, DM1. It lets you dump the residual 1064 and 532 nm
light and allows you to position the OPO, dye laser, experiments, etc.,
closer to the output of the Lab-Series laser. Water cooling removes excess
heat that would otherwise build up in the laser head.
The beam dump can be conveniently moved out of the beam path by simply
loosening the two 8-32 beam dump mounting screws and sliding the beam
dump assembly down (see Figure 8-6).
Use the following procedure to remove the beam dump entirely.
1. Turn off the laser.
2. Disconnect one of the beam block water hose connections at the in-
line coupler between the HG and the beam dump and, holding both
hose ends as high as possible for a moment, allow the water inside to
drain back to the power supply. Wipe up any spilled water.
3. Disconnect the second hose from the HG, then connect the two system
hose connectors together, leaving the beam dump out of the cooling
loop. Connect the two beam dump hoses together to prevent dripping.
4. Remove the 10-32 base mounting screw from the beam dump base.
5. Lift the beam dump out and set it aside.
To install the beam dump, reverse this procedure.
8-32 Beam Dump

Mounting Screws
10-32 Base
Mounting Screw
Figure 8-6: Model BD-6 water-cooled beam dump showing mounting

screws.
8-6
Chapter 9 Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance
The top cover of the Lab-Series laser protects the internal components
from outside contamination and also prevents unwanted stray optical
radiation from escaping the system. Always operate the unit with the
top cover in place.
Inspect daily all windows for contamination or damage. The windows
should be cleaned with acetone and lens tissue any time contamination
is suspected or observed. Damaged windows should be immediately
replace.
It is highly recommended that you annually check the safety features
of the laser to ensure safety is maintained (see Chapter 2, Laser
Safety, for details).
Cleaning Laser Optics

Losses due to unclean optics, which might be negligible in ordinary optical
systems, can disable a laser. Dust on mirror surfaces can reduce output
power or cause total failure due to damage. Cleanliness is essential, and the
maintenance techniques used with laser optics must be applied with
extreme care and attention to detail.
Clean is a relative description; nothing is ever perfectly clean, and no
cleaning operation ever completely removes contaminants. Cleaning is a
process of reducing objectionable material to acceptable levels.
Since cleaning simply dilutes contamination to the limit set by solvent
impurities, solvents must be as pure as possible. Use spectroscopic, electric
or reagent grate solvents and leave as little solvent on the surface as possi-
ble. As any solvent evaporated, it leaves impurities behind in proportion to
its volume. Avoid re-wiping a surface with the same swab; a used swab and
solvents will redistribute contamination, it wont remove it.
Both methanol and acetone collect moisture during prolonged exposure to
air. Avoid storage in bottles where large volume of air is trapped above the
solvent; instead, store solvents in squeeze bottles from which trapped air
can be removed.
Laser optics are made by vacuum-deposited microthin layers of materials
of varying indices of refraction on glass substrates. If the surface is
scratched to a depth as shallow as 0.01 nm, the operating efficiency of the
optical coating will be reduced significantly.
9-1
The condition of the laboratory environment is the primary factor affecting

your periodic maintenance schedule. The coated surfaces of the dichroic
mirrors, windows, and wave plates are the elements most subject to envi-
ronmental contamination. In these laser systems, where the peak power is
very high, contaminated optics damage much more easily than clean optics.
Do not allow smoking in the laboratory.
Careful handling of optics during installation and configuration changes is
the best maintenance. Always use clean finger cots or powder-free latex
gloves when handling optics, and do not remove the dichroics and wave
plates from their mounts except for cleaning.
Stick to the following principles whenever you clean any optical surface:
Remove and clean one optical element at a time. If all of the optics are
removed and replaced as a group, all reference points will be lost,
making realignment extremely difficult.
Work in a clean environment, over and area covered by a soft cloth or
pad.
Wash you hands thoroughly with liquid detergent and use finger cots.
Body oils and contaminants can render otherwise fastidious cleaning
practices useless.
Use dry nitrogen, canned air or a rubber squeeze bulb to blow dust or
lint from the surface before cleaning with solvent. Permanent damage
may occur if dust scratches the glass or mirror coating.
Use spectroscopic, electronic or regent grade solvents. Do not try to
remove contamination with a cleaning solvent that may leave other
impurities behind.
Use photographic lens tissue to clean optics. use each piece only once:
dirty tissue merely redistributes contamination.
Equipment Required
Dry nitrogen, canned air or rubber squeeze bulb
Photographic lens tissue
Spectroscopic grade methanol
Forceps
Hemostat
Figure 9-1: Lens Tissue Folded for Cleaning
9-2
Maintenance
Cleaning Prisms, Mirrors and Windows

1. Blow away dust particles or lint using nitrogen or air.
2. Fold a piece of lens tissue into a pad about 1 cm in a side and clamp it
in a hemostat (see Figure 9-1). Saturate the pad with methanol, shake
off the excess, resaturate and shake again.
3. Wipe one surfacebottom to topin a single motion. Be careful that
the tip of the hemostat does not scratch the surface. Repeat the opera-
tion with a clean tissue on the second optic surface. A clean optical
surface will scatter little or no light when the laser is operating.
4. Install the optical assembly back into its base and adjust the mirror
vertically and horizontally for maximum optical output power.
Warning! Always follow the instructions in Chapter 6, Operation, for turning off
the laser. Ignoring the shutdown procedure can permanently damage the
lamps and/or rods.
Maintaining the Cooling System
Level Sensor
Return Hose
Deionizing Filter
Reservoir
Particle Filter
Cooling Pump
Figure 9-2: Cooling system component identification.
Danger! Be wary every time you remove the power supply cover that there is
lethal high voltage inside.
1. Circulate water through the system for 30 minutes every week when
the laser is not in use.
9-3
Warning! It is important that you follow this instruction for the well-being of your
system. Failure to do so can cause sediment build-up and restricted cool-
ing.
2. Inspect the water level in the reservoir through the window in the
power supply rear panel every time you use the laser.
Keep the reservoir at least half full. Drain the coolant and replace it
with fresh deionized, water every three months.
3. Check the deionizing filter (Figure 9-2) monthly and replace the filter
when all the yellow resin in it has changed color to light brown.
Refer to Replacing the Deionizing Water Filter later in this chapter.
4. Replace the particulate filter whenever you replace the deionizing filter.
Refer to Replacing the Particulate Filter later in this chapter.
5. Replace the air filter monthly or when the blue indicator turns pink.
Maintaining the Harmonic Generator
Warning! Do not attempt to clean, remove, replace or add crystals. Allow only fac-
tory-trained service engineers to open your harmonic generator (HG).
1. Keep the crystals sealed, purged and heated at all times.

2. Use only spectroscopic grade methanol and photographic lens tissue to
clean window surfaces.
Replacing the Deionizing Water Filter

To prevent air from getting into the water pump and causing the pump to
lose prime, the deionizing filter cartridge must be replaced while water is
still in the system. Doing so means there is the possibility of water spillage.
The following procedure allows you to replace the filter cartridge with min-
imum chance of spillage. Table 10-1 lists the part number for the cartridge.
After you replace the deionizing filter, proceed to Replacing the Particle
Filter below for instructions on replacing this filter as well.
Tools needed:
5
/32 in. Allen (hex) wrench
Small cork for plugging end of cartridge
Small bucket
An absorbent towel
9-4
Maintenance
Procedure
1. Loosen the two screws on each side of the power supply, and lift off
the cover.
2. Remove the T Clip-Lok fitting from the top of the filter cartridge,
and allow the water in the filter to drain back into the reservoir. This
may take several minutes.
3. Place a towel under the bottom T fitting to catch any water that may
leak from the hose or cartridge when the lower fitting is removed.
4. Remove the T Clip-Lok fitting from the bottom of the filter car-
tridge, and place the cork in the now vacant hole on the T fitting.
Allow the remaining water in the filter to drain into the absorbent
towel.
5. Loosen the two 5/32 in. screws located on the filter restraint structure
and remove the filter. Place the filter in the bucket.
6. Place the new filter cartridge in the restraint structure and tighten the
screws.
7. Install both T fittings onto the new cartridge and verify they seal
properly.
8. Clean up any spilled water.
9. Turn on the power supply circuit breaker and key switch, and press the
ENABLE button on the controller to start the pump.
If the pump does not prime itself, prime it by removing the large sup-
ply hose from the reservoir and, using a long-necked funnel, pouring
water into the hose.
10. Run the pump for about 10 minutes.
11. If the MONITOR: LOW WATER indicator lights, shut off the power sup-
ply and add deionized water to the reservoir.
Refer to Chapter 5, Installation and Alignment: Filling the Cooling
System.
12. Replace the power supply cover.
13. Dispose of the used filter cartridge properly.
This completes the procedure for replacing the deionizing filter. Continue
with Replacing the Particle Filter below.
Clip-Lok is a registered trademark of Anarak, Inc.
9-5
Replacing the Particulate Filter

Replace the particulate filter (Figure 9-2) in the power supply whenever the
deionizing filter is replaced. Follow the instructions in the above procedure
for purging the cooling system of water.
Tools needed:
Wire cutters
Needle-nose pliers
Procedure
1. Loosen the two clamping screws on each side of the power supply, and
lift off the cover.
2. Locate the opaque plastic particulate filter next to the deionizing filter
on the upper tray.
3. Remove the output hose from the reservoir.
4. Remove the input hose where it is attached to the Clip-Lok fitting on
the deionizing filter.
5. Cut the two tie-wraps holding the existing filter in place with the wire
cutters, and discard the tie-wraps.
6. Thread the new tie-wraps through the fasteners.
7. Note the orientation of the existing filter, then replace it with the new
one so the new filter is oriented in the same direction.
8. Place the long output hose into the reservoir.
9. Attach the remaining hose to the Clip-Lok fitting, and verify it is
securely seated.
10. Using the needle-nose pliers, tighten the tie-wraps around the filter so
it is securely fastened to the tray.
11. Install the power supply cover.
This completes the procedure for replacing the cooling system particle filter.
9-6
Maintenance
Replacing the Air Filters

Three air filters in the laser head comprise a single filter assembly: the
input oil filter, the output particle filter, and the desiccant filter. Replace all
of them at one time, not individually. Table 10-1 lists the part number for
this assembly.
Tools needed:
Wire cutters
Procedure
1. Verify the system is off and that there is no power to the system.
2. Remove the laser head cover by removing the 4 screws, then lifting off
the cover.
3. Locate the air purge filter assembly under the tray. It is toward the
umbilical end of the laser head, below the Marx bank.
4. Detach the assembly Clip-Lok fittings from the input panel fitting and
from the manifold T.
5. Lift up on the small black tap on the desiccant filter restraining straps
to release the catch mechanism, and remove the straps.
6. If there is a tie-wrap holding the desiccant filter in place (used only
during initial shipment), use wire cutters to remove it.
7. Note the orientation of the filter assembly, then remove it.
8. Lay the new filter assembly in place, then refasten the black restrain-
ing straps around the desiccant filter.
9. Fasten the input hose to the input panel fitting and the output hose to
the manifold T. Pull on the fittings to verify they latched properly.
10. Install the head cover and tighten the 4 screws.
This completes the procedure for replacing the air filter assembly.
9-7
Replacing the Flash Lamps

For optimal performance, lamps should be replaced after 1000 hours for
10 Hz systems, 330 hours for 30 Hz systems, and 200 hours for 50 Hz sys-
tems. Table 10-1 lists the part number for this assembly.
Procedure
Danger! Be wary every time you remove the power supply cover that there is
lethal high voltage inside.
1. Turn off the laser according to the instructions in Chapter 6, then open
the power supply circuit breaker.
Danger! As an extra precaution, open the circuit breaker and disconnect the
power cord.
2. Allow 510 minutes for the heads to cool.

3. Remove the laser head cover by removing the 4 screws, then lifting off
the cover.
4. Remove the plastic high voltage shield that covers the lamp housings.
5. Short together terminal posts A and B (Figure 9-3) on each pump
chamber using shorting wires.
6. Disconnect the lamp leads from the terminal posts.
7. Disconnect the water hose located at the top of the lamp house assem-
bly.
This allows the water in the head to drain back into the power supply.
Use a towel to catch or wipe up any spilled water.
Terminal Posts Terminal Posts
A B A B
Figure 9-3: Short together posts A and B to prevent shock when servic-
ing the flash lamps.
9-8
Maintenance
8. Loosen and remove the thumb screws and block from both ends of the
lamp(s).
9. Remove each lamp by moving it toward the middle and pulling it out.
10. Clean the new lamp with methanol.
11. Reverse Steps 6 through 10 to install each lamp.
a. Depending on clearance, insert the proper end of the lamp first.
The anode end is identified by a red mark on its electrode and an
A on the red anode lead. The anode electrode is solid, while the
cathode electrode is segmented and cone-shaped.
b. Make sure all O-rings are seated snugly in the groove of the lamp
housing.
c. Tighten all thumb screws evenly and snugly. Do not overtighten.
d. Bend the ends of the lamp wire down at 90 degrees.
12. Remove the shorting connector from terminal posts A and B.
13. Connect the water hose to the top of the rod assemblies.
14. After installation, test for water leaks as follows:
a. Defeat the cover interlock.
b. Press the ON button long enough to move cooling water into the
lamp housing.
c. If no leaks occur, turn on the water pump and inspect for leaks
again at full pressure.
If there are no leaks after 5 seconds, the seals are tight.
d. Turn off the laser, deactivate the cover interlock defeat, and install
the laser head cover.
15. If a leak occurs:
a. Turn off the laser and observe the danger warning in Step 1.
b. Remove the thumb screws and blocks.
c. Center the lamp in its housing, and check the seating of the O-
rings.
This completes the procedure for replacing the flash lamps.
9-9
9-10
Chapter 10 Service and Repair
This chapter is divided into four parts. The first is a general description to
give you a better idea of how the system works at the technical level in the
event you encounter problems while operating your unit. Do not attempt
repairs yourself while the unit is still under warranty; instead, report all
problems to Spectra-Physics for warranty repair.
The second part contains the troubleshooting guide that is for you, the user.
It is meant to assist in isolating some of the problems that might arise while
using the system. A complete repair procedure is beyond the scope of this
manual. For information concerning the repair of your unit by Spectra-
Physics, please call your local service representative or refer to Chapter 11,
Customer Service.
The third part is a replacement parts list of components (and their part
numbers) that are most likely to break or get lost, as well as those you may
simply want to order as spares or substitutes.
The final part gives directions on how to drain and disassemble the system
for shipping. Be sure to read this section before you move your system.
General Operation
This section describes briefly how various parts of the system operate and
what modifications, if any, can be made. References are made throughout
this section to control devices. The first reference is to the control on the
controller provided with the system. The second reference (in parentheses)
is to the control on the GUI interface software also shipped with the system.
Enabling Signals
Enabling signals are used to control laser start-up, analog strobe triggering,
flash lamp firing, select the lamp trigger oscillator, set the Q-switch trigger-
ing mode and to select single-shot or repetitive operation. The controller
supplies enabling signals directly. When the system is operated remotely,
enabling commands may be sent via the RS-232C port or the optional
IEEE-488 interface. Refer to Appendix A for instructions.
Analog Signals
Analog voltages control the flash lamp energy, the variable oscillator, the
Q-switch triggering delay, and the timing of the Q-switch advanced sync
signal. The controller supplies analog signals directly. The computer con-
trol interface (CCI) supplies these analog signals when commanded to do
so by the attached computer or terminal.
10-1
The analog strobe function can be either edge-triggered or level controlled,

depending on the placement of jumper W3 on the Control pc board. The
standard Lab-Series laser is shipped from the factory set for level-con-
trolled, which provides continuous analog data transfer. Changing Jumper
W3 to its alternative setting allows edge triggering of a 5 ms gate aperture.
This mode accepts triggered analog data transfers from the computer bus
with a time-restricted window.
When the standard Lab-Series laser is set to internal control and the INPUT:
ANALOG STROBE connector terminals are either shorted or have a logic 0
(0 V) signal applied to them, the system holds (latches) the last data setting
and does not respond to any subsequent change in signal.
Alternatively, when the system is set to internal control and the INPUT:
ANALOG STROBE connector terminals are either not terminated or have a
logic 1 (5 V) signal applied to them, the system responds immediately to
changes in input signal.
When set for computer control, an Analog Strobe logic 1 command allows
data to transfer while a logic 0 command latches the last data entered.
Local/Remote Operation
The INT/COMPUTER button on the controller selects the attached computer/
terminal for remote control, or the controller for manual local control. The
RS-232C serial and optional IEEE-488 parallel ports are enabled when
COMPUTER is selected, but only one port can be used at a time.
Q-switch Delay
After the firing signal emerges from the computer test delay, it passes
through a one-shot pulse generator that shapes the wave form to meet the
drive requirements of the voltage-programmable Q-switch delay. The Q-
SWITCH: DELAY control provides an adjustable delay of 50 to 300 ms that
allows the population inversion to develop before Q-switch triggering. this
allows the Q-switch to open at the peak of stored energy.
Q-switch Advanced Sync Generator

The signal splits, passing through a pair of delays, one fixed (850 ns) and
one voltage-programmable (300 to 1300 ms). The variable delay controls
the timing of the pre-trigger signal at the Q-SWitch ADVance SYNC con-
nector on the power supply panel. The fixed delay provides the timing ref-
erence against which the variable delay is compared. The advance sync
pulse generator shapes the waveform to meet output signal requirements:
pulse width = 5 ms
2 V (50 ) rise time = 20 ns (50 oscilloscope input)
10-2
Service and Repair
Mode Switch
The MODE switch on the controller (or the QSWITCH knob on the Main
menu) enables one of three sources of Q-switch trigger signals. When set to
Q-SW (NORMAL), a signal from the voltage-programmable delay opens the
Q-switch momentarily at the point of maximum inversion. When set to
LONG PULSE, the flash lamp and Pockels cell are triggered simultaneously,
holding the Q-switch open throughout the lamp pulse. When set to EXTER-
NAL, a signal at the INPUT: Q-SW TRIG connector on the power supply fires
the Pockels cell.
The source of the enabling signal depends on the setting of the INT/COM-
PUTER selector on the controller and, if set to COMPUTER, on the computer
when a computer is connected to the RS-232 interface and the REMOTE
jumper plug is installed (see Local/Remote Operation above). All exter-
nal Q-switch triggering signals enter through the INPUT: Q-SW TRIG con-
nector on the power supply regardless of the INT/COMPUTER setting.
Q-switch Drivers
The output of the SOURCE: FIXED delay switch (LAMPS TRIGGER) passes
through the MODE switch (QSWITCH) when Q-switch mode is enabled and
fires the Marx bank pulse generator. The result is a pulse a few millisec-
onds long that becomes amplified by the Marx bank buffer to produce the
signal that drives the Marx bank. The Q-switch pulse generator stretches
the output of the Marx bank pulse generator to produce a signal that
appears at the OUTPUT: Q-SW SYNC connector on the power supply:
2 V (50 ) pulse width
5 ms with 20 ns rise time
Firing a single shot requires two signals: one to enable the single-shot flip-
flop and one to fire it. The enabling signal is from either the SINGLE SHOT:
REP switch on the controller or the slide bar control on the Main menu. The
arming signal (get ready to fire signal) is from either the SINGLE SHOT:
FIRE button on the controller or the FIRE position on the Main menu slide
bar control. Once armed, the single-shot circuit fires the Marx bank on the
next available pulse from the lamp trigger signal. Until it is armed again,
the flip-flop prevents the passage of subsequent lamp trigger pulses.
LAMP ON Switch
When the LAMP ON switch (GUI: ON button) is turned off, voltage is
applied to the reset line of the lamp sync pulse generator to prevent lamp
firing. It also turns on the INHIBIT lamp (GUI: LAMPS TRIGGER knob points
to INHIBIT). The inhibit and source fault signals pass through an OR gate
that allows either of them to inhibit firing. The LAMP ON switch remains
active even when under computer control so that the laser can always be
shut off at the controller.
10-3
STOP/ENABLE buttons
The function of the STOP and ENABLE buttons (ON/OFF SWITCH) depends
either on the INT/COMPUTER selector on the controller and, if set to COM-
PUTER, on the computer when a computer is connected to the RS-232
interface and the REMOTE jumper plug is installed (see Local/Remote
Operation above). Under INT control, pressing the ENABLE button (toggle
ON) closes the main relay and activates all power supply circuits. After a 10
second delay, the laser starts. Under COMPUTER control, two signals are
require: an enabling signal that is derived by pressing the controller
ENABLE button or by using the REMOTE jumper plug, and an on signal
from the computer by toggling the ON/OFF SWITCH to on. The lighted
buttons on the controller identify the operating status of the laser, regard-
less of the position of the INT/COMPUTER switch.
The line dropout detector shuts off the laser if it senses a loss of line volt-
age. The initializing circuits prevent transfer of laser control until all power
supplies have energized. They also prevent mishaps due to errors in logic
start-up.
Interlock Logic
The interlock logic examines several sensors to ensure safe, trouble-free
operation: external interlock, laser head and power supply cover switches,
and cooling water temperature and flow. The auxiliary interlock connector
on the back of the power supply is included for simple installation of envi-
ronmental safety devices such as a door switch. If an interlock fault occurs,
the logic trips the main contactor, shutting off power to the switching sup-
ply and simmer transformer. Logic power remains on.
The logic circuit also receives input from the lamp voltage level sensor
which prevents the laser from starting until lamp energy is reduced to
nearly zero. This prevents accidental high power output upon start-up.
If no interlock faults occur, the logic circuit enables the turn-on delay, and,
after 10 seconds, the laser starts.
If one or more faults occur, the laser will not start and the INTERLOCK
FAULT lamp on the power supply and Main menu turn on.
The auxiliary interlock connector operates from a 15 Vdc source in the
power supply and must be wired to a sensing switch using twisted-pair
wire. Because the auxiliary interlock is a possible source of noise, shield
the wire in hostile environments. This shield should be grounded to the
power supply chassis near the auxiliary interlock connector. Use any one of
the chassis mounting screws. Do not attach the shield at any other point.
Pulse-Forming Network
The pulse-forming network (PFN) produces a critically-damped pulse when
the SCR is fired. This pulse drives the flash lamp(s) that pump the Nd:YAG
rods. The switching power supply transforms line voltage (208 Vac, nomi-
nal) into dc voltage for the PFN. The PFN voltage (Vpfn) is programmable:
Vpfn = 187.5 x V
where V = 0 to 8 Vdc.
10-4
Service and Repair
A PFN voltage monitor is provided at TP24 on the Control pc board in the

power supply. The value can also be obtained by query via the computer
(see Appendix A).
A resistive network is connected across the PFN capacitor as a bleeder to
discharge the energy stored in the capacitor when the laser is switched off.
The lamp sync pulse generator provides a 5 ms signal to the SCR pulse
generator, to the OUTPUT: LAMP SYNC connector on the power supply, and
to the lamp-triggered signal for the PFN voltage monitor. The SCR pulse
generator conditions the output of the lamp sync pulse generator for the
SCR driver. This sends a 1 A pulse through the pulse transformer to fire the
SCR.
Flash Lamp Simmer Supply

This supply provides dc voltage to the flash lamp start circuit (200 V), the
Marx bank (550 V), and the flash lamp simmer current circuit. The start
circuit supplies a capacitively-coupled, high-voltage pulse through the
lamp housing which breaks down the lamp. After the lamp starts, simmer
current flows, is sensed, and the start circuit shuts off. For information on
monitoring the simmer supply via the computer, refer to Appendix A.
Shipping the Laser and Power Supply
Warning! Before shipping the laser or the power supply, completely drain the
coolant from each. The temperature in an aircraft cargo hold can freeze
the coolant and can cause several components to burst. Such damage is
not covered under your warranty!
Draining the Cooling System

1. Move the power supply into an open area.
2. Loosening the two screws on each side of the power supply, and care-
fully lift off the cover.
3. Pull the small return hose from the coolant reservoir cover (Figure 10-1).
Take care not to spill any water that may still be in the hose.
4. Using the controller, set its controls as follows:
Control Setting
Power supply POWER circuit breaker Closed (On)
Power supply POWER key switch On
LAMP ON switch Off (INHIBIT lamp on)
10-5
Level Sensor
Return Hose
Deionizing Filter
Reservoir
Particle Filter
Cooling Pump
Figure 10-1: Cooling system component identification.

5. Hold the coolant return hose over a drain or bucket, then press the
ENABLE button to start the cooling system pump.
6. When the system runs dry, press the STOP button to shut off the pump.
Q-Switch
Connector

Figure 10-2: Laser head showing coolant connections on the left.

7. Decouple the inlet coolant hose from the laser head (Figure 10-2) and
allow the remaining fluid to drain back down into the reservoir.
8. Use a siphon or hand pump to remove the rest of the water from the
reservoir.
9. Replace the return hose back into the reservoir cover.
10. Replace the power supply cover.
This completes the procedure for draining the coolant from the system.
10-6
Service and Repair
Replacement Parts
Table 10-1: Replacement Parts
Description Part Number
Maintenance
Flash lamps 0450-9080
Deionizing cartridge, cooling system 9800-0600
Particle filter, cooling system 9800-0620
Air filter assembly, Includes: desiccant filter assembly, 9800-0610
particle (micron) filter, and oil filter.
Electrical
Control pc board assembly 0449-7900S
Power pc board assembly 0447-0510S
Fan controller pc board assembly 2203-0071
Simmer pc board 0447-2220
Start circuit assembly 0004-2986S
Marx bank assembly 0004-2087-2S
Contactor 4501-0361
Thyristor, dual, SCR 4802-2482
Switch, circuit breaker 5102-0640
Fuse kit with 0.25 A FB, 0.5 A FB, 0.5 A SB, 1.5 A SB, 4 A 9850-0650
SB, switching regulator, 1 A SB, 1 A FB, 1/8 A SB, 1/16 A
FB, and 30 A SB
Optical
Thin film polarizer 0005-0021
Output mirror contact factory
Q-switch, 10 mm 0100-4460
Q-switch, 13 mm 0447-3300
Gold pump cavity consult factory
High reflector contact factory
Nd:YAG rods consult factory
Dichroic mirror, 532 nm 0441-6070
Half-wave plate, 1064 nm 0002-0053
Half-wave plate, 532 nm 0002-0050
Quarter-wave plate, 1064 nm, Laser 0005-0140
HG WIndow 0002-0061
HG Window Quartz 0002-0061-1
Mechanical
Model BD-5 Beam Dump BD-5
Model BD-6 Beam Dump BD-6
10-7
10-8
Chapter 11 Customer Service
Customer Service
At Spectra-Physics, we take great pride in the reliability of our products.
Considerable emphasis has been placed on controlled manufacturing meth-
ods and quality control throughout the manufacturing process. Neverthe-
less, even the finest precision instruments will need occasional service. We
feel our instruments have excellent service records compared to competi-
tive products, and we hope to demonstrate, in the long run, that we provide
excellent service to our customers in two ways: first by providing the best
equipment for the money, and second, by offering service facilities that get
your instrument repaired and back to you as soon as possible.
Spectra-Physics maintains major service centers in the United States,
Europe, and Japan. Additionally, there are field service offices in major
United States cities. When calling for service inside the United States, dial
our toll free number: 1 (800) 456-2552. To phone for service in other coun-
tries, refer to the Service Centers listing located at the end of this section.
Order replacement parts directly from Spectra-Physics. For ordering or
shipping instructions, or for assistance of any kind, contact your nearest
sales office or service center. You will need your instrument model and
serial numbers available when you call. Service data or shipping instruc-
tions will be promptly supplied.
To order optional items or other system components, or for general sales
assistance, dial 1 (800) SPL-LASER in the United States, or 1 (650) 961-
2550 from anywhere else.
Warranty
This warranty supplements the warranty contained in the specific sales
order. In the event of a conflict between documents, the terms and condi-
tions of the sales order shall prevail.
Unless otherwise specified, all parts and assemblies manufactured by Spectra-
Physics, except optics, are unconditionally warranted to be free of defects
in workmanship and materials for a period of two years following delivery
of the equipment to the F.O.B. point. All optics are warranted for 90 days.
Liability under this warranty is limited to repairing, replacing, or giving
credit for the purchase price of any equipment that proves defective during
the warranty period, provided prior authorization for such return has been
given by an authorized representative of Spectra-Physics. Spectra-Physics
will provide at its expense all parts and labor and one-way return shipping
11-1
of the defective part or instrument (if required). In-warranty repaired or

replaced equipment is warranted only for the remaining unexpired portion
of the original warranty period applicable to the repaired or replaced equip-
ment.
This warranty does not apply to any instrument or component not manufac-
tured by Spectra-Physics. When products manufactured by others are
included in Spectra-Physics equipment, the original manufacturer's war-
ranty is extended to Spectra-Physics customers. When products manufac-
tured by others are used in conjunction with Spectra-Physics equipment,
this warranty is extended only to the equipment manufactured by Spectra-
Physics.
This warranty also does not apply to equipment or components that, upon
inspection by Spectra-Physics, discloses to be defective or unworkable due
to abuse, mishandling, misuse, alteration, negligence, improper installa-
tion, unauthorized modification, damage in transit, or other causes beyond
the control of Spectra-Physics.
Simple misalignment and unclean optics are the most probable causes of
low power or instrument failure and are excluded from warranty protection.
A service charge will be assessed if an instrument shipped to Spectra-Physics
for warranty repair can be returned to operating condition by routine clean-
ing or adjustment.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and
does not cover incidental or consequential loss.
The above warranty is valid for units purchased and used in the United
States only. Products with foreign destinations are subject to a warranty
surcharge.
Return of the Instrument for Repair

Contact your nearest Spectra-Physics field sales office, service center, or
local distributor for shipping instructions or an on-site service appointment.
You are responsible for one-way shipment of the defective part or instru-
ment to Spectra-Physics.
We encourage you to use the original packing boxes to secure instruments
during shipment. If shipping boxes have been lost or destroyed, we recom-
mend that you order new ones. Spectra-Physics can return instruments only
in Spectra-Physics containers.
Warning! Always drain the cooling water from the laser head and power supply
before shipping. Water expands as it freezes and will damage the laser.
Even during warm spells or summer months, freezing may occur at high
altitudes or in the cargo hold of aircraft. Such damage is excluded from
warranty coverage.
11-2
Customer Service
Service Centers
Benelux
Telephone: (31) 40 265 99 59
France
Telephone: (33) 1-69 18 63 10
Germany and Export Countries*
Spectra-Physics GmbH
Guerickeweg 7
D-64291 Darmstadt
Telephone: (49) 06151 708-0
Fax: (49) 06151 79102
Japan (East)
Spectra-Physics KK
East Regional Office
Daiwa-Nakameguro Building
4-6-1 Nakameguro
Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153
Telephone: (81) 3-3794-5511
Fax: (81) 3-3794-5510
Japan (West)
Spectra-Physics KK
West Regional Office
Nishi-honmachi Solar Building
3-1-43 Nishi-honmachi
Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0005
Telephone: (81) 6-4390-6770
Fax: (81) 6-4390-2760
e-mail: niwamuro@splasers.co.jp
United Kingdom
Telephone: (44) 1442-258100
United States and Export Countries**
Spectra-Physics
Mountain View, CA 94043
Telephone: (800) 456-2552 (Service) or
(800) SPL-LASER (Sales) or
(800) 775-5273 (Sales) or
(650) 961-2550 (Operator)
Fax: (650) 964-3584
e-mail: service@splasers.com
sales@splasers.com
Internet: www.spectra-physics.com
*
And
all European and Middle Eastern countries not included on this list.
**
And all non-European or Middle Eastern countries not included on this list.
11-3
11-4
Appendix A Status/Error Codes
Table A-1 lists the status and error codes for the Lab-Series laser system.
The codes are generated by the embedded controller in the power supply.
When Spectra-Physics GUI control software is used, these codes are dis-
played in the history buffer window located at the bottom of the Info panel.
When user-written software is used, these codes can be accessed via que-
ries. Appendix B, Programming Reference Guide, at the end of this man-
ual contains information on how to do this.
These codes are three-digit numbers. The fist digit relates to internal laser
conditions that are useful for Spectra-Physics diagnostics and debugging,
but may be ignored by the system operator. The second and third digits
indicate the actual error being reported. Thus, error codes 101, 201 and 301
should all be interpreted as reporting the same error, 01, which is interlock
error.
Table A-1: Status/Error Codes
Status Code Description
01 Interlock error
02 Laser ID mismatch
03 Low water
04 Reserved
05 AC dropout detected
06 Unexpected loss of internal power.
07 Oscillator SIMMER failure
08 N/A
09 Reserved
10 Reserved
11 Watchdog timeout
1298 Reserved
99 Unknown error
A-1
Appendix B Lab-Series Programming Guide
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... B-2

Conventions for this manual, and the Lab-Series laser ................................................................................... B-2
Section 1: General Purpose Commands ......................................................................................................... B-3
Section 1.1: Basic Commands ..................................................................................................................... B-3
HELP......................................................................................................................................................... B-3
*IDN?......................................................................................................................................................... B-3
ON............................................................................................................................................................. B-3
OFF ........................................................................................................................................................... B-4
LAMPs <m> .............................................................................................................................................. B-4
LAMPs? .................................................................................................................................................... B-4
QSWitch <m>............................................................................................................................................ B-4
QSWitch <t>.............................................................................................................................................. B-4
QSWitch ADVance [value] ........................................................................................................................ B-4
QSWitch DELay [value] ............................................................................................................................ B-4
QSWitch ADVance?.................................................................................................................................. B-4
QSWitch DELay? ...................................................................................................................................... B-4
QSWitch?.................................................................................................................................................. B-4
APFN<n> .................................................................................................................................................. B-5
APFN?....................................................................................................................................................... B-5
OPFN<n>.................................................................................................................................................. B-5
OPFN? ...................................................................................................................................................... B-5
*STB?........................................................................................................................................................ B-5
*RST?........................................................................................................................................................ B-5
SHOTs? .................................................................................................................................................... B-6
Section 1.2: Communications Setup ............................................................................................................ B-6
ECHo <n> ................................................................................................................................................. B-6
ECHo?....................................................................................................................................................... B-6
WATChdog <n> ....................................................................................................................................... B-7
BAUD<n>.................................................................................................................................................. B-7
Section 1.3: Diagnostics ............................................................................................................................... B-7
READ:OPFN? ........................................................................................................................................... B-7
READ:APFN? ........................................................................................................................................... B-7
READ:OMON?.......................................................................................................................................... B-8
READ:AMON? .......................................................................................................................................... B-8
READ: QSWADV? .................................................................................................................................... B-8
READ: QSWDEL? .................................................................................................................................... B-8
READ: SHOTs? ........................................................................................................................................ B-8
READ: VARiable? ..................................................................................................................................... B-8
Section 2: Status/Error Reporting Commands................................................................................................. B-9
Section 2.1: Status Registers ....................................................................................................................... B-9
*STB?........................................................................................................................................................ B-9
STATus:QUEStionable? ......................................................................................................................... B-10
*CLS........................................................................................................................................................ B-11
READ:HISTory?...................................................................................................................................... B-11
Section 2.2: C Language Example Using the Status Byte to check for Interlocks ................................ B-11
B-1
Introduction
The command language for the Quanta-Ray laser system is based on the SCPI (Standard Commands
for Programmable Instruments) protocol. The specification for that language can be found at
www.SCPIConsortium.org. The Quanta-Ray laser is not 100% compliant with the standard, but does
use it as a guide.
Conventions for this manual, and the Lab-Series laser
indicates a line of text sent to the laser

indicates the lasers response
<n> indicates an integer parameter
<f> indicates a floating-point parameter
<CR> is the ASCII Carriage Return character (hex 0x0D)
<LF> is the ASCII Line Feed character (hex 0x0A)
<SP> is the Space character
Commands to the laser may be terminated with <CR>, <LF>, or both. Responses from the laser are
normally terminated with <LF> can be modified (refer to ECHO Command).
Every command has both a short and long form. This document uses a special notation to
differentiate the short form command from the long form of the same command. The long form of
the command is shown, with the short form portion shown in uppercase characters, and the rest of
the keyword is shown in lowercase characters. However, commands sent to the laser are not case
sensitive. Consider the listing for the command to set lamp trigger mode. The laser would consider
any of these commands to be equivalent:
lamp fix (all lower case, all short form)

lamps fixed (all lower case, all long form)
LAMP fixed (part upper case short form, part lower case long form)
LaMpS fIX (mixture of upper & lower case, short & long form)
However,
LAMPs FIXE?
would be invalid ---- FIXE doesnt match either the short form fix or the long form (fixed)
subcommand.
Most commands take parameters, separated by a space. The READ and STATus commands take
subcommands separated by a colon. Queries return a value and units. The units can be used to
verify that the lasers answers are synchronized with your control computers questions. Units may
consist of a traditional unit. For example, QSWitch DELay? returns a string such as 191.075
171.1 231.1 s . 191.075 s is the value that Q-switch delay is set for and 171.1 231.1 s are
the minimum and maximum value of Q-switch delay respectively.
B-2
Lab-Series Programming Guide
Section 1: General Purpose Commands
General-purpose commands include all commands except those specifically relating to detecting
errors. Examples of commonly used commands are turning the laser on and off, changing lamp
trigger source, or changing Q-switch trigger mode.
Section 1.1: Basic Commands
HELP
Help command returns the available command.
HELP
SETUP commands:
ECHo HELP
OPERATIONAL commands:
*CLS *ESR *IDN *RST *STB
APFN BAUD BLOK DLOK LAMPs
OFF ON OPFN QSWitch READ
SHOTs STATus WATChdog
*IDN?
This command returns the product identification string as defined by the SCPI standard. The
response to the IDN command contains four fields (manufacturer, model, serial number, and
firmware version) separated by commas. A typical response from the laser would be
Spectra Physics,QUANTA-RAY-LAB170-10,2404l,0452-0023A/0456-6600A
(company name) (product id) (Serial No) (GCR firmware) / (FPGA firmware)
Examples:
*IDN? <CR>
Spectra Physics,QUANTA-RAY-LAB170-10, 2404l,0452-0023A/0456-6600A <LF>
ON
This command is used to turn on the laser. The normal sequence is:
1 Close the contactor.

2 Wait 15 seconds.
3 Simmer the lamps and begin firing.
4 Ramp up the PFN power supplies to the last commanded value.
The *STB? command can be used to monitor the turn-on sequence.
Example:
ON <CR> turn on the system
B-3
OFF
This command is used to turn off the laser. The normal sequence is:
1 Turn off the PFN and simmer power supplies.

2 Turn off the water pump 20 seconds after the last lamp trigger.
The *STB? command can be used to monitor the turn off sequence.
Example:
OFF <CR> turn off the system
LAMPs <m>
LAMPs?
Mode<m>=EXTernal, FIXed, VARiable, INHibit
This command is used to select or identify the lamp trigger source. It is also used to set the variable
trigger rate.
Example:
LAMP FIX <CR> Lamp trigger is set to Fixed.
LAMP EXT <CR> Lamp trigger is set to External Source.
LAMP VAR <CR> Lamp trigger is set to Variable.
LAMP VAR 8.2 <CR> Variable Rate is set to 8.2 pulses per second.
LAMP VAR? <CR> To what value is the lamp Variable Rate trigger set?
10.0 VAR <CR> Lamp trigger is set to Variable and repetition rate is 8.2 pulses per sec.
LAMP INH <CR> Lamp trigger(s) are Inhibited.
LAMP? <CR> Identify lamp trigger.
INHibit <LF> Indicates the lamp is Inhibited.
QSWitch <m>
QSWitch <t>
QSWitch ADVance [value]
QSWitch DELay [value]
QSWitch ADVance?
QSWitch DELay?
QSWitch?
Modes<m> = EXTernal, LONGpulse, NORMal
Types<t> = FIRe, REPetitive, SINGleshot
This command controls the Q-Switch modes, type and timing.

The modes are: External, Long Pulse and Normal.
The types are: Fire, Repetitive and Single-Shot
Example:
QSW LONG <CR> Sets the Q-switch to its Long Pulse mode.
QSW SING <CR> Sets the Q-switch to Single-Shot type.
QSW FIRe <CR> Fires the Q-switch once.
QSW? <CR> What is the Q-switch setting?
B-4
LONGpulse SINGleshot <LF> Indicates the Q-switch is set to Long Pulse mode and Single-
Shot type.
Reminder: QSWitch DELay and ADVance are only meaningful in NORMal mode.
QSW ADV 250 <CR> Sets the Q-switch Advance Sync to 250.00.
QSW ADV? <CR> To what value is Q-switch Advance Sync set?
250.00 700.0 500.0 ns Indicates the Q-switch Advance Sync is 250.0, the min value is
700.0 ns and the max value is 500.0 ns.
QSW DEL? <CR> To what value is Q-switch Delay set?
210.00 120.0 250.0 s Indicates the Q-switch Delay is set to 210.0 s, the min value
is 120.0 s and the max value is 250.0 s.
APFN<n>
APFN?
Range: n = 0 100%
The APFN command sets the Amplifier PFN voltage as a percentage of factory full scale.
Example:
APFN 100 <CR> Sets the APFN voltage to 100.0%.
APFN? <CR> To what value is APFN set?
100.0 % <LF> Indicates APFN is set to 100.0%.
OPFN<n>
OPFN?
Range: n = 0-100%
The OPFN command sets the Oscillator PFN voltage as a percentage of factory full scale.
Example:
OPFN 100 <CR> Sets the OPFN voltage to 100.0%.
OPFN? <CR> To what value is OPFN set?
100.0 % <LF> Indicates OPFN is set to 100.0%.
*STB?
The status byte is the central component of the SCPI status system. Properly interpreting this byte
allows the operator to determine the overall operating condition of the laser system. See Section 2:
Status/Error Reporting for information on interpreting the status byte and other status registers.
*RST?
This command resets the laser head pc board.
B-5
SHOTs?
This command returns the number of shots on the lamps, or resets the counter when the lamp is
replaced. Note: this command returns the actual number of shots while the mechanical counter on
the front panel reports shots rounded to the nearest 100.
Example:
SHOT? <CR> How many shots are on the lamps?
1134 <LF> 1134 (the mechanical counter on the power supply would report 1100)
SHOT 0 <CR> resets the lamp shots counter to zero
Section 1.2: Communications Setup
ECHo <n>
ECHo?
This command modifies the way the control computer interacts with the laser. The <n> parameter is
an integer that specifies a bit pattern. The bits are defined as follows:
Bit Description
0 show prompts
1 the laser echoes characters as they are received
2 shows error messages
3 output at least a line feed for every command (even ones that do not normally
generate a response)
4 terminate responses with <CR><LF>, rather than just <LF>
5 use XON/XOFF handshaking for data sent to the laser
(No handshaking is used for data sent from the laser)
The previous Echo mode is replaced at power up and is unaffected by the *RST command. When
Echo is set to zero, the laser will not issue a response unless a command requires it, and the response
will be terminated with a <LF> character.
Examples:
ECH? <CR> What is the current Echo mode?
0 <LF> The system responds: ECHO 0.
ECH 1 <CR> Set to Echo 1 mode.
!Ready <LF> Laser prompts that it is ready.
ECH 17 <CR> Request both prompt and <CR><LF> termination.
!Ready <CR><LF> Laser prompts that it is ready.
ECH 21 <CR> Request prompt and error messages.
!Ready <CR><LF> Laser prompts that it is ready.
LMP FIX Send an illegal command (should be LAMPs FIXed).
What? <LF> Laser prompts that it does not understand the command.
!Ready <LF> Laser prompts that it is ready.
ECH 8 <CR> Request <LF> for all commands, no prompts or warnings.
<LF> The <LF> verifies that a command was received
B-6
WATChdog <n>
Range: 0 to 110 seconds.
This is the RS-232 laser/control computer communication watchdog timer. If the laser does not
receive communications from the control computer within the specified time, it turns itself off. The
default value is zero (disabled).
This command allows users to set their own comfort level for a safety check on their control
computer. Values from 3 to 10 seconds are typical.
Example:
WATC 5.1 <CR>
BAUD<n>
Values for n = 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400
This command sets the communications speed between the laser embedded computer and the users
control computer. At power-up, the laser always communicates at 9600 baud. The baud rate is not
affected by the *RST command.
Example:
BAUD 38400
Section 1.3: Diagnostics
The READ commands are used to learn what the laser is actually doing, as opposed to what it has
been asked to do. A few reasons the READ commands can return something different than what was
commanded by a control computer are:
1 The control computer is not actually in control. A remote panel or an external BeamLok
controller is in control.
2 The system may be in a turn-on or turn-off sequence. For example: when the system is turned
off, it is normal for APFN? to indicate a commanded value of 100%, and READ:APFN to report
an actual value of 0%.
3 Under certain conditions the system will automatically decrease the PFN voltages to 90% of the
nominal settings in order to prevent optical damage. A typical example is when the Q-Switch is
set to Single-Shot type.
READ:OPFN?
READ:APFN?
These queries return the oscillator or amplifier PFN command setting in percent (i.e., what the PFN
power supply is being asked to do).
Example:
READ: APFN? <CR>
0.0 % <LF>
B-7
READ:OMON?
READ:AMON?
These queries return the oscillator or amplifier PFN monitor in percent (i.e., what the PFN power
supply is actually doing).
Example:
READ: AMON? <CR>
0.0% <LF>
READ: QSWADV?
This query returns the current Q-Switch Advanced Sync setting.
Example:
READ:QSWADV? <CR>
200.0 ns <LF>
READ: QSWDEL?
This query returns the Q-Switch delay setting.
Example:
READ:QSWDEL? <CR>
210.0 s
READ: SHOTs?
This query returns the number of shots.
Example:
READ:SHOT? <CR>
429 <LF>
READ: VARiable?
This query returns the lamp trigger rate, unless the lamp trigger source is external.
Example:
READ:VAR? <CR>
10.1 VAR <LF>
B-8
Section 2: Status/Error Reporting Commands
One of the most powerful (and therefore complex) parts of the SCPI protocol is its error reporting
facility. Status is reported in a tree-like structure where the root of the tree is the status byte. Users
should regularly check this byte for information about basic conditions such as laser emission, water
pump on, and interlock status. It also discloses any questionable conditions that might exist.
Questionable conditions are those that might raise doubts about laser system performance (such as
a power supply that cannot properly charge the high voltage capacitor). If questionable conditions
are reported, then further information can be requested.
Section 2.1: Status Registers
*STB?
This query returns the status byte, which is the top level of the SCPI information data structure. The
value returned is an integer representing a 32-bit value, which, when properly interpreted, discloses
the condition of the laser.
A programming example of how to use this status byte to access the SCPI data structure is included
at the end of this appendix.
Bit Description
Number
0 Laser emission can occur
1 (reserved)
2 Data is in the error log, use READ:HIST?
3 Check STAT:QUES bits
4 (reserved)
5 Check *ESR bits
6 (reserved)
7 Check STS:OPER bits
8 Main contactor is energized
9 Oscillator simmer is on
10 Amplifier simmer is on
11 Oscillator PFN is at target
12 The laser has recently fired
13 15 Vdc power supply failure
14 Laser cover interlock open
15 One or more of the following interlocks is open: CDRH plug, power supply cover,
laser head cover, laser head temperature, water pressure, water flow
16 Remote panel disconnected
17 Internal 208 Vac failure
18 CDRH enable failure
19 Laser ID fault
20 Low water fault
B-9
21 Interlock fault
22 A remote panel is connected
23 the remote panel indicates that the computer is in control.
24 The main contactor should be on
25-31 (reserved)
To properly interpret the power supply interlock state, first consider bits 13 through 21. The laser has
three interlock priorities: bits 19, 20, and 21, with bit 19 being the most important. Bits 13 through
18 do not contain useful information unless bit 21 is true (high).
If bit 23 is low, the remote panel is in control, and commands that attempt to set a value (such as
LAMPs or QSWitch) have no effect on the laser. Any command that asks for information (such as
READ:SHOTs?) operate as expected. The ON and OFF commands will operate as expected, even if
the remote panel is in control.
Example:
*STB? <CR> Send status byte.
139 <LF> The requested status byte states that the laser has emission, the shutter is open
and something is questionable about the laser. Use the STATus:QUES com-
mand to determine which conditions have set the questionable bit.
STATus:QUEStionable?
This query returns the questionable condition register. It is an extension of the basic status byte, and
it can give more information about subsystems within the laser. Bit 3 of the status byte (*STB?) is a
logical-OR of bits 9, 10, and 11. If Bit 3 of the status byte is false (low), there is no need to check
the STATus:QUEStionable register for additional information.
Bits 0 through 8 and 12 through 15 are undefined and are reserved for future use.
Bit 9 is set if the oscillator high-voltage (HV) power subsystem does something unexpected. If bit 9
is true (high), then bits 16 through 23 should be examined to identify the fault. If Bit 9 is false, bits
16 through 23 should be ignored.
Bit 10 is set high if the amplifier high-voltage (HV) power subsystem does something unexpected.
If bit 10 is true, bits 24 through 31 should be examined to identify the fault. If bit 9 is false, bits 24
through 31 should be ignored.
Bit 11 is set when an EXTernal LAMPs trigger has occurred at a rate that is outside the specified
MIN and MAX limits.
Bit Description
number
08 (reserved)
09 Oscillator HV failure
10 Amplifier HV failure
11 External Trigger Rate out of range
B-10
12 De-ionized water low

16 OSC HVPS # 1 EndOfCharge
17 OVerLoad
18 OVerTemp
19 OVerVolt
20 OSC HVPS # 2 EndOfCharge
21 OVerLoad
22 OVerTemp
23 OVerVolt
24 AMP HVPS # 1 EndOfCharge
25 OVerLoad
26 OVerTemp
27 OVerVolt
28 AMP HVPS # 2 EndOfCharge
29 OVerLoad
30 OVerTemp
31 OVerVolt
Example:
STAT:QUES? <CR> What is the status of the system?
512 <LF> The system reports that the oscillator high-voltage is not ok.
*CLS
This command clears the status byte and status questionable register. Use it to make sure there is no
left over information in these registers from a previous error. The history buffer (READ:HISTory)
is not affected by *CLS, even though bit 2 of the status byte remains zero until a new error occurs.
READ:HISTory?
This query returns up to 16 status/error codes from the system history buffer. If the laser has shut
itself off or the system is behaving erratically, investigate the answer to this query. The first element
in this history buffer is the most recent. A complete listing of the laser history buffer error codes is
included in Appendix A.
This query returns at lest two lines of information, each of which consists of two numbers. The first
number in the first line is the number of items in the buffer. The second number in first line is the
number of seconds since power up. The final line is always 0 0. Intermediate lines contain the
error code followed by the system time when the error occurred.
Example:
READ:HIST? <CR> Request for history buffer
1 827 <LF> 1 error has occurred, current time is 827 sec
301 810 <LF> Error code 301 occurred at 810 sec
0 0 <LF> End of history buffer
Section 2.2: C Language Example Using the Status Byte to check for Interlocks
B-11
#defineSTB_LASER_ID BIT_19
#defineSTB_LO_WATR BIT_20
#defineSTB_ILK_NOK BIT_21
#defineSTB_INTERLOCK1 BIT_13
int StbTimer ( void)

{
long stb;
static char buff[255];
sprintf(buff, "*STB?\n\r");
WriteBuf_CurSerialPort(buff, strlen(buff));//This function writs the buffer to serial port
ReciveBuf_CurSerialPor( );//This function receives the responds from laser and saves it in
InputBuffer
stb=atoi( InputBuffer);
if(stb ^ Last_Stb) // Last_Stb is global variable and initially is sets to zero
CheckStatus(stb);
}
void CheckStatus(long stb)
{
Last_Stb = stb;
if(stb&STB_LASER_ID || stb&STB_LO_WATR || stb&STB_ILK_NOK )
{
if(stb&STB_LASER_ID )
{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, " LASER ID FAULT. \n\n"
" Unable to run the laser,\n");
DisplayPanel(ErrorMessage); //This function displays the error message.
}
if (stb&STB_LO_WATR)
{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, " LOW WATER INTERLOCK DETECTED. \n\n"
" Unable to run the laser,\n"
" Please fill up the reservoir \n"
" Then Press OK");
}
if(stb&STB_ILK_NOK)
{
if(stb & STB_INTERLOCK1 )

{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, " 15 VOLTS P.S INTERLOCK DETECTED. \n"
" Unable to run the laser.\n\n\n\n");
B-12

}
else if(stb & STB_INTERLOCK2)
{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, "P.S. COVER INTERLOCK DETECTED. \n\n"
" Unable to run the laser,\n\n\n\n");
DisplayPanel(ErrorMessage);
}
{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, " ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
PROBLEMS HAS BEEN DETECTED. \n\n"
" 1-Water Flow \n"
" 2-CDRH \n"
" 3-Power Supply Cover Interlock \n"
" 4-Head Cover \n"
" 5-Head Thermistor \n"
" 6-External Water Pressure \n\n"
" Unable to run the laser.");
}
{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, " REMOTE CONTROL INTERLOCK
DETECTED. \n"
}
{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, " INTERNAL 208 AC POWER INTERLOCK
DETECTED. \n"
}
{
sprintf (ErrorMessage, "CDRH TRNSISTOR INTERLOCK DETECTED.
\n\n"
}
}
}
}
B-13
B-14
Notes
Notes-1
Notes-2
Notes
Notes-3
Notes-4
Notes
Notes-5
Notes-6
Report Form for Problems and Solutions
We have provided this form to encourage you to tell us about any difficul-
ties you have experienced in using your Spectra-Physics instrument or its
manualproblems that did not require a formal call or letter to our service
department, but that you feel should be remedied. We are always interested
in improving our products and manuals, and we appreciate all suggestions.
Thank you.
From:
Name
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Department
Address
Instrument Model Number Serial Number

Problem:
Suggested Solution(s):
Mail To: FAX to:

Spectra-Physics, Inc. Attention: SSL Quality Manager
SSL Quality Manager (650) 961-7101
1330 Terra Bella Avenue, M/S 15-50
Post Office Box 7013
Mountain View, CA 94039-7013
U.S.A.
E-mail: sales@splasers.com
www.spectra-physics.com

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Quanta-Ray Lab-Series

Pulsed Nd:YAG Lasers

1335 Terra Bella Avenue

Part Number 0000-311A, Rev. A

CE Electrical Equipment Requirements

Warning Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

Unpacking and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii

Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Chapter 2: Laser Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Chapter 3: Laser Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Chapter 4: Controls, Indicators and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Chapter 5: Installation and Alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Chapter 6: Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Chapter 7: Harmonic Generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Chapter 8: Internal Harmonic Separator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Chapter 9: Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Chapter 10: Service and Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

Chapter 11: Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

Appendix A: Status/Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Appendix B: Programming Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Report Form for Problems and Solutions

Danger! Laser radiation is present.

Danger! Condition or action may present a hazard to personal safety.

Danger! Condition or action may present an electrical hazard to personal

Warning! Condition or action may cause damage to equipment.

Caution! Condition or action may cause poor performance or error.

Note Text describes exceptional circumstances or makes a special refer-

Don't Do not touch.

Appropriate laser safety eyewear should be worn during this opera-

Refer to the manual before operating or using this device.

Quantity Unit Abbreviation

Unpacking Your Laser

The Quanta-Ray Lab-Series Pulsed Nd:YAG Lasers

The Laser Head

Figure 1-1: The Lab-Series Laser Head

Figure 1-2: The Lab-Series Controller

The Power Supply

Figure 1-3: The Lab-Series Power Supply

The Lab-Series Advantage

Danger! This Spectra-Physics Quanta-Ray Lab-Series Laser is a Class IVHigh

Precautions For The Safe Operation

Provide enclosures for beam paths whenever possible.

VISIBLE AND/OR INVISIBLE*

*SEE MANUAL 0451-8090

Figure 2-1: This CE standard safety warning labels would be appropri-

Figure 2-2: Optical Beam Dump, Model BD-5

Caution! Use of controls or adjustments, or performance of procedures other than

Figure 2-3: Laser Head Emission Indicator

MONITOR: PoWeR ON Indicator

MONITOR INPUT OUTPUT REMOTE

Figure 2-4: The Lab-Series Power supply Control Panel.

Reservoir Level SPECTRA-PHYSICS LASERS

Umbilical Connector REMOTE

Power Cord WATER IN

Figure 2-5: The Lab-Series Power supply Rear Panel.

MONITOR: INTERLOCK Indicator

REMOTE INTERLOCK Connector

Cover Safety Interlocks

Figure 2-6: Interlock Switches, Laser Head.

Figure 2-7:Interlock Switch, Power Supply.

Danger! Collateral radiation! While the laser head cover is removed, be

POWER Circuit Breaker

Focused Back-Reflection Safety