Photon Counting Head

H11890-RS Series
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

@E6-0392-2 Nov. 2020

HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.

Table of contents

1. Safety precautions ........................................................................................................................ 5

1-1. Alert symbols and signal words ..................................................................................................... 5
1-2. Safety precautions ......................................................................................................................... 5
1-3. Disposal ......................................................................................................................................... 6
1-4. Registered trademarks .................................................................................................................. 6
2. Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Part names ................................................................................................................................... 8
3-1. External view.................................................................................................................................. 8
4. Package contents ......................................................................................................................... 8
5. Setup ............................................................................................................................................ 9
5-1. Installing the device driver ............................................................................................................. 9
5-2. Setting up the sample software ................................................................................................... 10
6. How to use the sample software ................................................................................................. 11
6-1. Sample software screen ...............................................................................................................11
6-2. Operating procedures .................................................................................................................. 12
7. Specifications.............................................................................................................................. 14
7-1. General ratings ............................................................................................................................ 14
7-2. Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 15
7-3. Photodetector characteristics ...................................................................................................... 16
7-4. Count linearity and excessive light detection output ................................................................... 16
7-5. Count rate linearity correction...................................................................................................... 17
7-6. Dimensional outlines (Unit: mm).................................................................................................. 17
7-7. Block diagram .............................................................................................................................. 18
7-8. Separately sold option: Optical fiber adapter .............................................................................. 18
7-9. Communication format for control ............................................................................................... 19
8. Warranty ................................................................................................................................... 200
9. Repair ......................................................................................................................................... 20

3
@E6-0392-2
4
@E6-0392-2
 1. Safety precautions

1-1. Alert symbols and signal words

To help understand the safety instructions in this manual, the following symbols and signal words are
used. Make sure that you understand their contents and comply with the instructions.

"WARNING" indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,

WARNING if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

"CAUTION" indicates a potentially hazardous situation which,

CAUTION if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury or
damage to the equipment.

This symbol shows a caution or warning you must observe. Read the
instructions carefully to ensure correct and safe product use.

This symbol indicates a prohibited action. Read the instructions carefully and
never attempt the prohibited action

This symbol indicates a mandatory action. Read the instructions carefully and
always follow them.

1-2. Safety precautions

WARNING

Do not remove any cover of this unit and do not disassemble this unit. Doing so
may damage this unit or cause electrical shock since some internal parts
generate a high voltage.

Do not handle this unit with wet hands. Doing so may cause electrical shock.
This unit is not designed to be waterproof, so do no immerse it in water.

5
@E6-0392-2
 CAUTION

Some parts of the photodetector in this unit are made of glass, so excessive
shock or force may cause cracks. Do not apply excessive shock or force to this
unit.

This unit is not designed for use in a vacuum or in a corrosive gas atmosphere.
Do not use this unit in such environments.

Do not use this unit in humid environments where condensation occurs.

Condensation may damage the internal high-precision electronic components,
causing fire or electrical shock.

When plugging or unplugging the USB connector, always hold the connector
body. Applying an excessive load to the cable or connector may break the wire
or damage this unit.

Handle this unit very carefully.

This unit is assembled with high-precision electronic components. Those
components may be damaged if subjected to excessive vibration or shock,
causing fire or electrical shock.

1-3. Disposal
When disposing of this unit, take appropriate measures in compliance with applicable regulations
regarding waste disposal, and correctly dispose of it yourself, or entrust proper disposal to a licensed
industrial waste disposal company. In any case, be sure to comply with the regulations in your country or
state to ensure correct disposal.

1-4. Registered trademarks

・7 Professional,10 Pro are the registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and/or other countries.
・Other product or software names mentioned in this manual may be the trademarks or registered
trademarks of respective product manufacturers and a detailed listing is omitted for this manual.

6
@E6-0392-2
 2. Overview
The H11890-RS series is a photon counting head with a RS-232C interface. Connecting this unit to a
RS-232C port of your PC allows software control to display and record the count data.
The pulse counting time can be selected by setting the internal counter gate time in a range from 10
millisecond to 10 seconds.
The maximum count per counter gate is 31 bits (2 147 483 648 counts) and so allows measurements over
a wide dynamic range.
The pulse counter section for counting photon pulses uses a double counter method. This method uses
two counter circuits arranged in parallel to receive the input signals. One counter circuit operates to count
the input pulses while the other counter circuit processes the count data so that each counter circuit
alternately counts the input signals. This method allows pulse counting with no dead time along the time
axis.

The H11890-RS comes with sample software for operation on Windows 7 Professional, 10 Pro and so
greatly reduces the time required to make setups.

This instruction manual applies to the following models of the H11890-RS series.
H11890-110-RS
H11890-210-RS
H11890-01-RS

7
@E6-0392-2
 3. Part names

3-1. External view

The photos below show the external view of the H11890-RS series.

(1)

H11890-RS Front View

(1) Light input window

A light-sensitive photocathode is formed on the inner side of this light input window.
Do not allow the photocathode to be exposed to excessive light, since excessive
light will reduce the sensitivity and service life of this unit.

(2) RS-232C connector

Do not apply excessive shock to the receptacle of this unit when plugging or
unplugging the RS-232C connector. Excessive shock may deform or damage the
RS-232C connector and the receptacle of this unit. Be careful not to apply excessive
force when plugging the RS-232C connector into this unit.

4. Package contents
After unpacking, first check that all items are included. If any part is missing or externally damaged,
please notify our sales office.

・Photon counting head H11890-***-RS

・CD-R

8
@E6-0392-2
 5. Setup
The procedures explained in this section apply only to cases where your PC runs on Windows 7
Professional, or 10 Pro.
* This unit does not support other OS (operating systems)

5-1. Installing the device driver

This product does not require device driver installation.

Do not connect the RS-232C cable to other than the RS-232C ports.
Connecting the RS-232C cable to other than the RS-232C ports may cause
electrical shock or fire, or may damage this unit and PC.

9
@E6-0392-2
5-2. Setting up the sample software
The sample software is included in the CD-R that comes with the H11890-RS. Copy the file by selecting
SampleSoftware >> H11890-RS Sample Software.exe, and then paste it on the desktop of the PC.

See Section 6 “How to use the sample software” for details on the sample software.

The copyright on the sample software is the property of Hamamatsu Photonics.

Duplicating and distributing the sample software for any purpose other than controlling
the H11890 is not permitted. Adaptation or reverse engineering of this software such as
decompilation and disassembly are prohibited.

10
@E6-0392-2
 6. How to use the sample software

6-1. Sample software screen

When you start the sample software that you set up in 5-2 “Setting up the sample software,” the following
screen appears.

CB1. Port number selection combo box L2. Data display G1. Graph display

E1. Gate Time edit box

E2. Gate Number edit box

C1. Correction Mode check box

C2 .Data Save check box

B2. HV ON button

S3. Measurement display

B4. ACQUIRE button

S1. Over Light Det. Display

CB1. Port number selection combo box Select the COM port number to connect.
L2. Data display When counting measurement is started, counting result data is displayed.
G1. Graph display When counting measurement is started, the counting results are drawn on
the graph in time series.
B2. HV ON button Supply or stop supplying voltage to the light detection element (PMT).
S1. Over Light Det. Display Lights red when excessive light is detected. Usually white.
E1. Gate Time edit box Set the counter gate time. The setting range is 10 to 10000 (10 ms to 10 s).
The unit is ms.
E2. Gate Number edit box Specify the number of counter gates (counting measurement count). The
setting range is 0 to 16777216. When 0 is set, measurement is performed
until the “B4. ACQUIRE button” is pressed.
C1. Correction Mode check box It is possible to correct the linearity of the count rate inside the H11890
(refer7-5). When counting measurement is started with the check mark
removed, uncorrected data is output.
B4. ACQUIRE button Counting measurement starts under the set conditions. In addition, after the
start of measurement, it becomes a measurement stop button.
S3. Measurement display Flashes green during measurement. White when not measuring.
11
@E6-0392-2
C2 .Data Save check box Measurement is performed while saving the count data to a file. Data for the 
number  of  measurements  is  written  to  the  specified  file.  Specify  the  local 
HDD (hard disk drive) as the save file.  If you specify a storage medium that 
requires write access time other than HDD, depending on the counter gate 
time setting (especially when the counter gate time is short), there may be a 
problem with the operation of this software.

6-2. Operating procedures
1. Make the necessary setup in advance (See Section 5 “Setup.”)
2. Turn on the PC power switch (if off).
3. Connect the RS-232C cable to the H11890.
4. Connect the other end of the RS-232C cable to a RS-232C port of the PC.
5. Start H11890-RS Sample Software.exe.
Install the H11890 in a dark box or cover it with a light-shielding cloth so that no excessive light 
enters the light input window of the H11890.

Excessive light

6. Press the “B2.HV ONOFF button” to supply power to the photo detector in the H11890.
7. Enter the counter gate time and counter gate count (number of measurements) in the “E1. Gate 
Time edit box” and “E2.Gate Number edit box”.
8.    Check  the  “C2.Data  Save  check  box”  and  press  the  “B4.ACQUIRE  button”.  When  the  dialog  is 
displayed, specify the data storage location on the local HDD.
9.    Measurement starts. Press “B4.ACQUIRE button” to end the measurement. Do not open or delete 
saved files during measurement.

12
@E6-0392-2
10. When count measurement data has been recorded, the setting items, product serial number and
measured data will be saved in the specified file.
Measured data is in a format of “counter gate” + “space separated + count measurement data.”
These are saved in a text file.

H11890
GateTime 1000
GateNumber 0
SN 30060074
1 17
26
3 10
4 15
5 11
6 14
7 21
…

If communication or operation fails during count measurement, then restore it by

using the following procedure:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing CTL+ALT+DEL and exit the sample software.
2. Unplug the RS-232C cable from the PC and turn off +5V power.
3. Plug the RS-232C cable into the PC and turn on +5V power.
4. After the OS has recognized the H11890, restart the sample software.

Do not start other application software.

The H11890 is communicating with the PC via RS-232C. If application software that
imposes a load on the OS is started, such as those for processing complex
calculations or displaying graphs, the desired communication speed may not be
obtained, causing the sample software to freeze.

13
@E6-0392-2
 7. Specifications

7-1. General ratings

+5 V dc（+4.75 V dc∼+5.25 V dc/ Maximum
Power input
rating +6 V dc）
Power consumption 0.5 W or less
Dimensions 22 mm (W) x 48 mm (H) x 40 mm (D)
Weight 125 g (main unit only: 54 g)
Location for use Indoor use
Altitude for use 2 000 m or less
Operating temperature +5 °C to +40 °C (no condensation)
Storage temperature -20 °C to +50 °C (no condensation)

14
@E6-0392-2
7-2. Specifications
H11890-110 H11890-210 H11890-01-
Items Units
-RS -RS RS
Effective photocathode size 8 dia. mm
Spectral response range 230 to 700 230 to 870 nm
Wavelength of maximum sensitivity 400 nm
5 5 5
300 nm 3.7 x 10 3.9 x 10 2.7 x 10
400 nm 4.9 x 105 6.1 x 105 3.6 x 105
500 nm 3.7 x 105 4.6 x 105 2.8 x 105
Count sensitivity Typ. s-1 . pw-1
600 nm 1.1 x 105 1.3 x 105 2.0 x 105
700 nm 7.7 x 103 9.1 x 103 1.2 x 105
800 nm - - 3.0 x 104
Typ. 50 600
Dark count 1) s-1
Max. 100 1000
5.0 x 106
Count linearity 2) 7
s-1
2.0 x 10 (after count correction)
Pulse-pair
Typ. 20 ns
resolution
Counter method Double count method
Counter capacity 231
counts/
4 bytes
Counter data counter gate
(MSB: Excessive light detection bit)
Counter gate time 0.001 to 10 s
RS-232C
Serial interface None parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit -
19200 bit/s
Compatible OS (operating system) Windows 10 Pro,7 Pro -
1) Measured after 30-minute storage in darkness
2) Random pulses, at 10% count loss

15
@E6-0392-2
7-3. Photodetector characteristics

7-4. Count linearity and excessive light detection output

16
@E6-0392-2
7-5. Count rate linearity correction

7-6. Dimensional outlines (Unit: mm)

RS-232C cable

17
@E6-0392-2
7-7. Block diagram

RS-232C

+5.0V

7-8. Separately sold option: Optical fiber adapter

18
@E6-0392-2
7-9. Communication format for control

COMMAND FUNCTION RETURN

ZV<c/r> Turn off the high-voltage power supply. ZV<c/r>
DV<c/r> Turn on the high-voltage power supply. DV<c/r>
I##<c/r> Set the gate time. I##<c/r>
The value of the ranges from 10 to 10000 is set to ##. (means
10 ms to 10 s)
Default value is 1000. (1 s)
R##<c/r> Sets repetition number of counter gates. R##<c/r>
The value of the ranges form 0x0000 to 0xFFFFis set to ##.
If ## is set as 0x0000 and a start command is transmitted,
Counter gate will be repeated until the H11890 receives
<c/r>.
Default value is 0x0000.
C<c/r> Start measurement. ####
M<c/r> Start measurement. The count linearity correction value is ….
output inside the main unit. ####
<c/r> stop measurement. -
*1. # Is a 1-byte binary value. (0x00 to 0xff)
# Is a 2-byte binary value. (0x0000 to 0xffff)
*2. <C / R> means carriage return. (0x0d)
*3. #### is the measured value.
MSB is the excessive light detection output bit. This bit is output if excessive light is incident
when the high-voltage power supply is on.

19
@E6-0392-2
 8. Warranty
This product has been thoroughly tested by Hamamatsu Photonics and checked to meet
nominal performance specifications before shipment. Should any failure be found in this product
due to defects in the workmanship or materials used in manufacture, please notify our sales
office or representatives. This product is warranted for a period of one year from the date of
delivery.
The warranty provides free repair or replacement of defective parts when the claim is made
within one year after delivery.

However, even within the warranty period, the warranty shall not apply to failure in cases where
the product has been abused due to not following this instruction manual, mishandled, modified
or damaged by accidents such as natural or man-made disasters.
We are not liable for any physical injury and equipment damage arising from incorrect use and
handling of this product, which did not comply with the “Safety Requirements” and “Precautions
during use” instructions in this manual.

9. Repair
If a failure is found in the product or you suspect possible trouble, contact us with the specific
symptom and detailed description of the trouble, as well as the production serial number. We will
make every effort to repair the returned product in as short a time as possible. In the following
cases, however, the repair might be expensive or repair might be refused.

■ The product was purchased a long time ago.

■ The maintenance parts used in the product are not in current production.
■ The product was modified or altered.
■ The product was severely damaged.
■ Other unavoidable factors.

20
@E6-0392-2
Accessories and contents in this instruction manual are subject to change without prior notice.

21
@E6-0392-2