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Nova
Laser Power/Energy Meter
User Manual
1
5.2 Setting up the PD300 and 3A-IS to display the user's chosen
wavelengths.................................................................................43
5.3 Startup Defaults...........................................................................44
5.4 Selecting Settings from the Nova Screen...............................45
5.4.1 To Set to the Laser Wavelength Being Used..........................45
5.4.2 To choose Manual or Automatic Ranging or dBm.................45
5.4.3 Operation with Filter In or Out ...................................................47
5.4.4 Zoom..............................................................................................48
5.4.5 Offset .............................................................................................49
5.4.6 Tune and Powerlog.....................................................................49
5.4.7 Average and Measuring Very Low Power Measurement....50
5.5 BC20 Heads for Scanned Beams..............................................50
5.5.1 General Description....................................................................51
5.5.2 Setting up the startup defaults..................................................51
5.5.3 Measuring Scanned Beams with the BC20 ............................51
5.5.4 Spectral Response......................................................................52
5.6 Special Photodiode Heads ........................................................52
5.6.1 PD 300-BB Radiameter Head.....................................................52
5.6.2 PD300-CIE Photometer Head.....................................................53
Chapter 6 Operation with Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Heads
........................................................................................................54
6.1 Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Detector Heads ..........54
6.2 Selecting Settings from the Nova Screen...............................55
6.2.1 Setting up the head to display the user's chosen
wavelengths.................................................................................55
6.2.2 Setup of Laser Pulse Length and Pulses / Sample............................56
6.3 Startup and Configuration of Defaults .....................................59
6.4 Energy, Power or Exposure Measurement .............................60
6.4.1 Energy Average Power and Frequency Measurement.........................60
6.4.2 Zoom..............................................................................................63
6.4.3 Measuring Total Energy Exposure. ..........................................63
6.4.4 Pyro Scope Adapter....................................................................64
6.5 Measuring Repeating Pulses of High Energy.........................65
6.6 Energy Log....................................................................................66
Chapter 7 Circuit Description .....................................................................67
Chapter 8 Calibration, Maintenance and Troubleshooting ...................69
8.1 Calibration of Thermopile Heads ..............................................69
8.1.1 Absorber types and Method of Calibration of Ophir Power
Meters...........................................................................................69
8.1.2 Linearity and Accuracy of Ophir Thermal Heads..............................72
8.1.3 Calibration Factor........................................................................73
8.1.4 Recalibration of Thermopil Heads Using the Nova ...........................74
8.2 Calibration of Photodiode type Heads .....................................77
8.2.1 Method of Factory Calibration ..................................................77
8.2.2 Accuracy of Calibration of PD300 and 3A-IS Heads..............78
8.2.3 Accuracy of calibration of BC20 Heads ..................................78
8.2.4 Recalibration of PD300 and 3A-IS Heads from a Known
Source of Laser Power...............................................................79
8.2.5 Recalibration of BC20 heads from a Known Source of Laser
Power ............................................................................................80
8.3 Calibration of Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy Heads..80
8.3.1 Method of Calibration.................................................................81
8.3.2 Accuracy of Calibration .............................................................82
8.3.3 Recalibration from a Known Source of Laser Energy...........83
2
8.4 Error Messages ...........................................................................84
8.5 Troubleshooting...........................................................................84
8.5.1 Nova Display ................................................................................84
8.5.2 Thermal Heads, Energy Measurements ..................................85
8.5.3 Thermal Heads, Power ...............................................................85
8.5.4 Pyroelectric Heads .....................................................................86
8.6 Maintenance................................................................................86
8.6.1 Maintenance of Thermal Heads ...............................................86
8.6.2 Replacing Battery........................................................................88
Chapter 9 Nova Specifications ..................................................................89
9.1 System/Display Specifications .................................................89
9.2 Head Specifications....................................................................90
3
Chapter 1 Introduction: How to Use This
Manual
4
Chapter 2 Quick Reference
Figure 1
Nova Rear Panel View
5
To switch the Nova on:
Figure 2.
Nova Top View
The unit will switch on, and the display will appear.
Note:
The head must be plugged in before the unit is
switched on.
6
To zero instrument:
7
To choose power or energy measurement:
Warning:
Do not exceed maximum head limits for power,
energy, power density and energy density as
listed in tables 6 and 7 in section 9.2. Otherwise,
there is a risk of damaging the absorber.
8
To use the Nova to measure Laser power:
9
2. The energy mode is manual ranging. Press "range"
then the "up" "down" soft keys until the proper
range is highlighted then press "exit". The correct
range is the lowest one that is larger than the
pulse energy measured.
3. When the Nova screen flashes "ready," on and off,
fire the laser. See Section 4.5 for full details.
To save configuration:
10
2.3.2 Selecting Chosen Wavelength
Warning:
Do not exceed maximum head limits for power,
energy, power density and energy density as
listed in tables 6 and 7 section 9.2 Head
Specifications. Otherwise, there is a risk of
damaging the absorber.
11
Alternatively press the center button from the
bargraph screen without the menu button.
2. Press "zoom" again to return to full scale.
12
2.4.2 To set type of laser being used
Warning:
Incorrect readings will result if pulse length is
not set up correctly.
Note:
Some heads have only one time setting for all
pulse lengths. In that case “N.A.” appears.
13
5. Press "select" and "value" to choose the pulse
length you wish to be the default.
6. Now press "select" and "value" again to choose the
default energy range.
7. Press "exit" then "all" to save. For further details on
configuration See Sections 6.2 and 6.3
Warning:
Do not exceed maximum head limits for power,
energy, power density and energy density as
listed in tables 6 and 7 section 9.2 Head
Specifications. Otherwise, there is a risk of
damaging the absorber.
14
You can also obtain this slide from your dealer. You
should use this slide to test the damage threshold with
your laser pulses. If the slide is damaged, then either
enlarge your beam or lower the laser energy until
damage is no longer seen.
15
2.4.6.4 To expand the bargraph scale fivefold
about the present reading
16
Chapter 3 The Nova Display Unit
17
3.2 Smart Connectors and Multihead Operation
Note:
The Nova automatically loads the head
information when first turned on, so when
changing heads, the display should be turned off,
the new head plugged in and then be turned on
again.
18
Note:
The first set of menu choices can be accessed
without pressing "menu". Simply pressing the
appropriate key from the bargraph screen will
operate that key even though the label is not
visible. So if you remember the position of the key
you can take a shortcut. If the soft key is an
alternating "toggle" type, the label will be visible
while the key is being pressed.
Figure 3.
Nova Rear Panel View
19
Figure 4
20
3.5 Nova Functions which are independent of Head
Type
21
Note for Thermal Heads only:
For best results with thermal heads, it may be
necessary to do the procedure once with the head
disconnected then afterwards again with the head
connected.
3.6 Backlight
22
The electroluminescent backlight does have a finite
lifetime of about 10,000 hours. Therefore, it is
recommended only to use it when necessary. To turn
on the backlight, push the push button while the
charger is connected. To turn off the backlight, push
the button again.
3.7 Kickstand
3.8 Charging
23
3.9 Chart Recording
24
5. If you want to have the Nova come up in the
normal measurement screen, reverse the
process in steps 1 and 2.
Note 1:
The factory default for this screen is 100.00% and
in that case, the regular screen comes up on
startup and not the attenuator screen.
Note 2:
The attenuator screen only affects the value
displayed on that screen and nothing else. The
power and energy scales remain the same, the
damage thresholds remain the same etc. The
attenuator screen is only an extra screen to show
a different calculated number introduced by the
user.
25
Chapter 4 Operation with Thermopile
Absorber Heads
Warning:
Before using the head for power or energy
measurement, check that your laser power,
energy and energy density do not exceed the head
ratings. See tables in section 9.2 Head
Specifications.
26
The display unit amplifies this signal and indicates the
power level received by the head. At the same time,
signal processing software causes the display unit to
respond faster than the thermal rise time of the
detector disc, thus reducing the response time of the
Nova. Energy of a single pulse is measured on the
Nova by digitally integrating the pulse power over
time.
Note:
The laser wavelength correction in use is
displayed in the upper right corner of the display.
27
4.2.2 To choose Manual or Automatic Ranging in
Power Measurement:
28
4.2.3 To choose Power or Energy Measurement
29
5. Press "select" and "value" to choose the manual
power range you wish to be the default or
autorange. The Nova will now be in the mode
selected when switched on with the head in
question.
6. Now press "select" and "value" again to choose the
default energy range.
7. Now press "exit" when all selections have been
made.
8. Now press "all " if you wish to save all functions
presently selected or "previous screen" to change
the defaults of the previous screen only.
30
4.4.2 Advanced Power Measurement Features
4.4.2.1 Zoom
4.4.2.2 Offset
31
Now press the menu key again to return to the
bargraph screen. The Nova will now read zero, and
the 0.1 Watt background will be subtracted from all
subsequent readings. The laser power reading will
thus be 20.4 Watts.
Figure 5
Tune Screen
32
To use the Nova to fine tune laser power:
33
4. Now press select until the minimum setting is
highlighted. Press "select" until minimum value on
graph is chosen.
5. Press "select" again and then use "value" to
choose the desired horizontal time scale. Press
"go". The measurement will begin immediately.
6. When the screen is full, the measurement will stop
and the graph will be held until the center reset
button is pressed again.
7. The center button is the "reset" button. Press this
button to reset the screen and begin a new
measurement. Press the menu button once to
make the legends visible, and press the menu
button again to make the legends disappear.
Warning:
Pressing "reset" will erase all previously stored
data and start recording new data.
Figure 6.
Laser Power vs Time Graph
4.4.2.5 Average
34
The Nova allows two modes of averaging: "continuous"
or "periodic" mode. The periodic mode is meant for
lasers which have rapid power fluctuations. In this
case, choose an averaging period from .33 to 30s. The
Nova averages over each period and displays the
result at the end of each period until the next average
arrives. The continuous mode is meant for lasers
having slow variations in output over a relatively
longer period. In the continuous mode, the Nova
displays a running average which is continuously
updated as time progresses. At the end of the period,
the measurement stops and the last value is displayed
until the instrument is reset. In continuous mode, the
measurement period is from 10s to 1hour.
35
For instance, if your original laser power is 100 Watts,
and you have split off 5% of the power, i.e. 5 Watts and
are measuring only the 5 Watts, you can display the
nonsplit value with the attenuation screen. To do so,
do the following:
1. From the main screen press the menu button twice
and press “more”. Select “atten” and press “go”.
2. Select “attenuation screen: ON” and press exit.
The attenuation screen is now activated.
3. Press “set %” and by alternately pressing change
and select, choose the percentage of the beam
that you are measuring (in our example above you
will set this to 005.000%). Now if you measure a
value, the large display will show the value before
attenuation and the small display will show the
actual value measured. (In our example, the large
display will show 100W and the small display 5W).
Note 1:
If the attenuation screen is activated, when the
Nova is turned on it will come up in the
attenuation screen. You may switch between the
attenuation screen and the regular power or
energy screen by pressing the menu button
several times.
Note 2:
The attenuation screen can operate with both
power and energy measurement.
100.0 W
5.000W 5.000%
SET % RANGE
power before
attenuation
Figure 7
Attenuation Screen
36
4.5 Energy Measurement
4.5.1 Setup
Figure 8
Energy Mode Screen
4.5.2 Measurement
37
4.5.3 Minimum Energy Threshold
38
Note (to users of 3A-P type heads):
The 3A-P type head has special circuitry
enabling it to trigger on energy pulses of very
low energy. This is accomplished by a special
photodiode trigger which alerts the Nova that a
pulse has been received and to start integration.
This allows the 3A-P to react to smaller pulses
than would be measurable just by triggering on
the rising thermal signal as in other heads.
When you select "optical" this enables the
optical trigger. However, in some cases, the
optical trigger will not work and you should
select one of the thermal trigger settings, "low",
"med" or "high". You should use thermal
triggering on the 3A-P in the following cases:
39
2. A train of a known number of pulses may be fired,
and the total energy measured in "energy" mode.
This train should not exceed 5 seconds duration.
The energy per pulse can be calculated by:
40
An RS232 interface can be purchased to attach to a PC
and then the data points can be transferred to PC
either in real time or after storage. Contact your Ophir
representative for details.
Warning:
Pressing "reset" will erase all previously stored
data and start recording new data.
Note:
Zoom can only be pressed after at least one
pulse has been recorded.
41
Chapter 5 Operation with Photodiode
Type Heads
Warning:
Before using the head for power or energy
measurement, check that your laser power or
energy and energy density does not exceed the
head ratings. See table 6.
42
The PD300 saturates when the output current exceeds
1.3mA so the exact maximum power depends on the
sensitivity of the detector at the wavelength used.
When saturated the legend "SAT" will appear on the
screen. Table 2 gives the actual maximum power as a
function of wavelength.
FILTER OUT
WAVE-- PD300 PD300- PD300- 3A-IS WAVE- PD300-
LENGTH 3W UV LENGTH IR
250- N.A. N.A. 1mW N.A. 800nm 20mW
350nm
400nm 30mW 30mW 3mW N.A. 1-1.3µm 30mW
633nm 20mW 20mW 3mW 1W 1.4µm 25mW
670nm 13mW 13mW 3mW 2W 1.5µm 15mW
800nm 10mW 10mW 2.5mW 3W 1.6µm 10mW
900mm 10mW 10mW 2.5mW 3W 1.8µm 25mW
1060nm 25mW 25mW 3mW 3W
FILTER IN
WAVE-- PD300 PD300 PD300- 3A-IS WAVE- PD300-
LENGTH -3W UV LENGTH IR
250- N.A. N.A. 100mW N.A. 800nm 200mW
350nm
400nm 300mW 3W 300mW N.A. 1-1.3µm 300mW
633nm 300mW 3W 300mW N.A. 1.4µm 150mW
670nm 200mW 3W 300mW N.A. 1.5µm 80mW
800nm 100mW 1W 250mW N.A. 1.6µm 50mW
900mm 150mW 1.5W 250mW N.A. 1.8µm 100mW
1060nm 250mW 2.5W 300mW N.A.
Table 2.
Maximum Measurable Laser Power as a Function of
Wavelength
43
1. From the power measurement mode with the
bargraph display, press the menu button located
on the right side until "more" appears. Press
"more".
2. Press "select" until "wavelength" is highlighted.
Press "go".
3. Press "change" then "up" and "down" to select the
first wavelength desired. Press "done". Repeat
steps 2 and 3 for other wavelengths desired.
When finished press exit and the new values will
be saved.
44
5.4 Selecting Settings from the Nova Screen
45
Manual Range - There are certain disadvantages to
autorange since it changes scale even if you don't
want it to do so. If you want to measure the same
range all the time, it is better to use manual range.
The correct range to select is the lowest one which is
larger than the largest expected measurement. If you
wish the Nova to be in manual mode when switched
on, save this configuration before switching off. See
Section 5.3.
46
2. Now make your second measurement and the
value of the difference in dB = ratio in numerical
units will be shown.
Note:
If there is a zero offset in the reference value, you
cannot subtract this using the DBOFST function.
Instead, before the start of the measurement, go
into a numerical scale, press “offset” and subtract
the zero offset. Then go into the dBm scale and
follow steps 1 and 2 above. The zero offset
activated in the numerical scale will be saved in
the dBm scale and you can now use the DBOFST
setting to measure true ratio without zero offset
problems.
Warning:
If the PD300 is used in the "filter in" setting and
the filter is not installed or vice versa the
readings will be completely incorrect.
47
To choose the filter setting:
5.4.4 Zoom
48
5.4.5 Offset
49
The Nova also has the option of graphing the laser
power vs. time, or successive energy points as long
as the Nova has not been turned off. While
measurements are being taken, the Nova will record
data until the screen is full, or "reset" or "exit" is
pressed.
Note:
The average function does not work with
autorange or dBm scales.
Note:
Many of the functions of the BC20 head are the
same as the PD300. This section only describes
the PD300 functions which are different from
ordinary PD300 functions. For standard PD300
functions, please refer to the rest of chapter 5.
50
5.5.1 General Description
Note:
Do not use autorange when in hold mode.
51
3. Set up the startup defaults and choose
“continuous” if you want continuous readings or
“hold” if you want readings to be held for 5s
before updating. (See section 5.5.2 above).
4. Hold the wand so the beam strikes the detector
vertically. While the beam is scanning, move the
scanner slightly up and down in a direction
perpendicular to the scan direction so that the
scanned beam is sure to cross the center of the
detector. (The BC20 captures the highest reading
so that the most accurate results are obtained if
the beam scans across the center of the detector).
The unit will also measure static beams as would a
normal laser power meter.
90
80
70
60
%
50
40
30
20
10
0
340 440 540 640 740 840 940 1040
Wavelength, nm
52
Note:
Because the BB heads are spectrally flat,
wavelength selection is disabled. Other than that,
operation is the same as other PD300 type heads.
Note:
Because the CIE heads have a spectral response
similar to the human eye wavelength selection is
disabled. Other than that, operation is the same as
other PD300 type heads.
53
Chapter 6 Operation with Pyroelectric
and Photodiode Energy Heads
Warning:
Before using the head for power or energy
measurement, check that your laser power,
energy or energy density do not exceed the
head ratings as listed in the table with the head
specifications. Otherwise, there is a risk of
damaging the absorber.
54
The photodiode based PD10 head also uses the same
circuitry but can measure much lower energies due to
the sensitivity of the photodiode.
Note:
The broadband type heads (BB) have less
variation with wavelength, and in those heads,
fixed wavelength ranges are selected similar to
thermal heads. This section is not relevant with
those heads.
55
6.2.2 Setup of Laser Pulse Length and Pulses / Sample
Warning:
If the pulse length is incorrectly set to the
short pulse setting for long pulses, the
reading will be erroneously low. If it is set to
the long pulse setting for short pulses the
reading will be correct but noisy.
Note:
The Pyroelectric and photodiode energy heads
are capable of measuring pulses up to very high
repetition rates on the order of kilohertz or
above.
56
However, at high repetition rates, the display
can capture the pulses at rates not exceeding
15Hz. The Nova samples individual pulses at a
rate of 15Hz from the laser pulse train. Thus if
the user has a laser pulsing at over 15Hz and
wishes to average over a number of pulses, the
average will be over the number of pulses
processed by the Nova and not over those
emitted by the laser.
Example:
If the user's laser is pulsing at 300Hz, and the
user selects to average over 1s, the Nova will
collect 15 pulses of the 300 emitted during that
period, and will average over those 15 pulses.
The Nova will then update the display every 1s.
Note:
The average function only affects the numerical
readings on the screen. The bargraph always
shows individual pulses.
57
The PD10 operates in a similar fashion to the PE head
except that it has one extra function. When measuring
very low energies, the head will also be sensitive to
background light and therefore show a spuriously high
reading. Therefore we have added a function to
measure the background light. When measuring low
energies, block the laser and press “bkgrnd”.
You will see a reading of the background light. This
reading can be subtracted from your laser reading to
obtain a more accurate reading. Also, making the
room darker will reduce this background effect.
58
6.3 Startup and Configuration of Defaults
59
6.4 Energy, Power or Exposure Measurement
Warning:
Before using the head for power or energy
measurement, check that your laser energy,
energy density and average power do not
exceed the head ratings as listed in the table
with the head specifications at the end of the
manual, otherwise, there is a risk of damaging
the absorber. With the pyroelectric head, you
have been supplied a test slide with the same
coating as on your pyroelectric detector. You
can also obtain this slide from your dealer. You
should use this slide to test the damage
threshold with your laser pulses. If the slide is
damaged, then either enlarge your beam or
lower the laser energy until damage is no longer
seen.
Note:
To measure pyroelectric energies properly, it is
important that the head is not grounded to the
optical bench. Make sure that the head is
isolated electrically from the ground. The PE
head has been supplied with an insulating
mounting post for this purpose.
60
How to set up for pulse energy measurement is
described below.
Figure 9
Pyroelectronic and Photodiode Head Energy Screen
61
The Nova is now ready to measure energy pulses. The
energy reading will operate in the following manner if
"none" selected as the averaging period, following
every 1/15th of a second period, the Nova will display
on the screen the next pulse which arrives. The Nova
will hold the display of the latest pulse until a new one
arrives. If an averaging period is selected, the Nova
will collect pulses at up to 15Hz and will then display
the average of those pulses. When a new pulse
triggers the Nova, a "T" will appear in the upper left
corner of the screen. At over 5 Hg, the "T" stops
flashing and appears all the time.
62
The correct range is the lowest one that is larger
than the highest energy being measured. Note
that the proper range is related to the pulse
energy even though we are measuring average
power.
3. Press exit then press the menu button twice to
return to the bargraph measurement screen. If
you wish to have the frequency displayed, press
the menu button only once.
6.4.2 Zoom
Note:
While the button is pressed, the soft key legend
appears. Pressing "zoom" again will cancel the
function.
63
In order to measure exposure, do the following:
Figure 10.
Exposure Screen
64
Activate the scope adapter as follows:
65
Contact your Ophir dealer for details.
66
Chapter 7 Circuit Description
Analog Processor:
Digital Processor:
67
Power Supply:
Electromagnetic Interference:
68
Chapter 8 Calibration, Maintenance and
Troubleshooting
1. Surface Absorbers:
BB (broadband) absorber:
EX (excimer) absorber :
69
2. Volume absorbers
70
Percent absorption
100
98
96
94
92
90
88
86
84
82
80
0.1 1 10
Wavelength, µm 100 Wavelength, µm
BB therm. EX P
Percent absorption
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
Wavelength, µm
50
0.1 1 Wavelength, µm 10
HE HE1 LP HL
Graph 1.
Absorption of Ophir Thermal Absorbers vs. Wavelength
71
8.1.1.2 Method of Calibration
8.1.2.1 Linearity
72
The test is performed with a high power laser that can
cover the entire detector range using a rear leak
detector for comparison. This rear leak detector is a
low power Ophir detector which has previously been
tested for linearity. Thus, in all cases, the linearity of
the detectors is traceable to electrical standards.
73
8.1.4 Recalibration of Thermopil Heads Using the Nova
Table 3.
Maximum Power to Apply to Sensor CAL Resistors
74
2. Use the resistor for calibration only.
3. Turn off the power as soon as calibration is done.
4. Do not operate the calibration resistor when the
sensor disc is under radiation; the excessive heat
may burn out the calibration resistor.
5. To eliminate residual non-linear effects, it is
advisable to perform electrical calibration at about
the same power level as that to be measured, so
long as the rating of the heating resistor is not
exceeded.
Calibration instructions:
75
8. The voltage should be measured at the input to the
head and the current in series with the current
loop.
9. Press go and adjust up/down until the power
reading on the screen reads the (voltage in volts) x
(current in amps) x (current calibration factor for
your model and laser or as shown on Nova).
Note 1:
For units which have different calibration factors,
e.g. CO2, YAG, or VISIBLE, press "laser" to select
correct type of laser before calibration. When
recalibrating using the CAL resistor, the other two
settings will change proportionately. If you wish
to change the calibration of only one laser type,
use the function "Power with laser".
Note 2:
The unit retains for your information the current
sensitivity of the head in A/W in engineering
notation. The original value is retained at the
factory. You should record the original setting so
you can return to it if you wish.
76
Note 1:
For units which have different calibration factors,
e.g. CO2, YAG, or VISIBLE, press "laser" to select
correct type of laser before calibration. When
recalibrating using "power with laser:" function,
only the calibration of the chosen laser
wavelength will change. If you wish to change the
calibration of all wavelengths proportionately,
then use the function "power with CAL".
Note 2:
When changing power calibration, this will also
change energy calibration proportionately.
However, changing energy calibration will not
change power calibration.
77
8.2.2 Accuracy of Calibration of PD300 and 3A-IS
Heads
Table 4 .
Maximum Error as a Function of Wavelength and Filter
* Add ±2% to error for filter in (±3% for PD300-3W and PD300-UV).
78
Since the instruments are calibrated against NIST
standards, the accuracy is generally ±2% at the
wavelength the calibration has been performed. The
maximum error in measurement will be less than the
sum of the calibration accuracy and linearity The
linearity of the photodiode detector is extremely high
and errors due to this factor can be ignored. The
maximum error due to all factors is the stated
accuracy of ±3%.
Note 1:
The relative readings at different wavelengths are
fixed by the wavelength calibration curve stored in
the head EEROM. When changing the calibration
at one wavelength, the calibration at all other
wavelengths will change proportionately.
79
8.2.5 Recalibration of BC20 heads from a Known
Source of Laser Power
80
3. High speed broadband type: The type with the
BBH suffix has a special broadband coating
spectrally flat from 190nm to 3µm. Unlike the BB
type, it is able to work at high repetition rates to
1000Hz. On the other hand, its damage threshold is
considerably lower, on the order of 0.05J/cm².
4. PD10 type: Unlike the other heads, the PD10 has
a silicon photodiode with a neutral density filter
mounted permanently in front of it. The filter
detector combination are calibrated over the
entire wavelength range similarly to the PD300
power heads and therefore the heads have a high
accuracy at any wavelength in the range. This is
an exclusive feature with Ophir energy heads.
Absorption %
100
90
BB - Broadband
80
70
60
50
Metallic Coating
40
30
0.1 1 10 100
Wavelength (nm)
Graph 2
Absorption of Ophir Pyroelectric Absorbers
81
The spectral absorption of the detector coating is
measured spectroscopically and the absorption curve
is used to correct the calibration for other
wavelengths. When the user selects his wavelength
on the Nova, the correction factor for that wavelength
is applied.
82
Coating Type
Wavelength Broadband Metallic PD10
ERROR
190 - 350nm ±1% ±4% 2%
400 - 800nm ±1% ±4% 0
1064nm 0 0 2%
1-1.5µm ±1% ±2% N.A.
2 - 3µm ±2% ±8% N.A.
10.6µm ±5% ±15% N.A.
Table 5.
Additional Measurement Error due to Wavelength
Note 1:
For metallic and PD10 type heads, when the
calibration is changed at one laser wavelength,
the overall calibration of all other wavelengths
changes proportionately. For BB type, the
calibration is only changed for the wavelength set.
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8.4 Error Messages
8.5 Troubleshooting
Problem Cause/Remedy
Instrument will not Check that charger
operate after being provides 200mA.
completely discharged
and connected to
charger.
Instrument operates with Battery is low.
charger but not with Recharge overnight
battery. with the Nova turned
off for 14-16 hours. If
the Nova still doesn't
work with battery, then
the NiCd battery is
dead. Replace battery.
84
8.5.2 Thermal Heads, Energy Measurements
Problem Cause/Remedy
Instrument triggers on Increase threshold
background noise or level; See Section.
sometimes fails to 4.5.3.
catch large pulse.
Instrument does not Increase threshold
show ready for a long level; See Section 4.5.3.
while after a reading is
made.
Non-reproducible Decrease threshold
results when measuring level: See Section 4.5.3.
very small energy
pulses; or no response
to pulses at low energy.
Problem Cause/Remedy
Instrument Check connections between
shows zero the head and the instrument.
reading in both See signal tracing (Section
power and 8.6) Check that the sensor disc
energy modes. is operative. Resistance
between pins 1 and 9 of the
head connector should be
about 1.8k. If the sensor is
defective, there will be an
open or short circuit.
Instrument Replace sensor disc. See
responds while Section-8.6.1.2.
head is cold, but
suddenly fails as
it heats up.
Instrument does If head is very hot, allow it to
not return cool. Disconnect the head
completely to from the instrument. If
zero on power readout unit does not zero,
measurement. adjust zero with head
disconnected. If the offset
persists, try zeroing with the
head connected as well, as
described in Section 3.5.2.
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8.5.4 Pyroelectric Heads
Problem Cause/Remedy
1. Instrument reads Possible electromagnetic
incorrectly or interference from pulsing
erratically. laser is causing misreading
Especially on and/or false triggering.
sensitive scale. Check the following:
2. Instrument triggers 1. Head is mounted to stand
even without being using insulated plastic rod
exposed to laser provided with instrument,
pulses. and not metal rod.
3. Instrument shows 2. Try keeping cable away
frequency which is from bench.
too high. 3. Move head/display further
away from EMI.
8.6 Maintenance
86
It has been calibrated at the wavelength requested, or
for the 3 wavelengths listed. If it is a CAL type disc, a
CAL Factor is also included to use for electrical
calibration checks on your power/energy meter.
Please follow the following steps in disc replacement.
87
From the bargraph power measurement screen,
press the menu button twice and press "more".
Press "select" until "calibrate" is highlighted. Press
"go". Now press "power with laser". Use the
"laser" button to select one of the laser
wavelengths. Press "go" and adjust until the cal
factor is the same as that sent with the disc for the
wavelength shown. Now press "exit" to save that
value.
4. Now repeat step 3 for the other laser wavelengths.
Each time, use the "laser" button to select a
different laser wavelength and enter the proper
calibration factor sent with the disc for that
wavelength.
88
Chapter 9 Nova Specifications
89
9.2 Head Specifications
Table 6.
Max Power Specifications of Heads
PD - Photodiode
P - P type volume absorber for short pulse lasers
HE/HE1- volume absorber for high energy pulses
EX - Excimer type, volume absorber
PE - pyroelectric metallic or black absorber
BB - broadband surface absorber, high power density
LP - broadband surface absorber for highest power
density
90