For a limited time, get a FREE PTC-CH temperature controller with the purchase of a QCL LAB Series instrument. This is the perfect combination to temperature stabilize your low-noise, narrow linewidth QCL.
Add a QCL LAB instrument to your cart. At checkout, enter FREE PTC in the order comments. That’s it — we ship you both.
To get started, go to the
QCL500 LAB,
QCL1000 LAB,
QCL1500 LAB, or
QCL2000 LAB product page.
The purpose of a temperature control system is to maintain a device at a constant temperature. Two types of thermal components are commonly used to precisely control the temperature of optics, lasers, biological samples, or other temperature sensitive devices. One is a thermoelectric. The other is a resistive heater.
Links referenced in the video:
The June issue of Laser Focus World includes a featured article from Wavelength Electronics. The article, titled Using a laser diode or quantum cascade laser? Don’t forget the electronics, goes into detail about how the electronics in the laser driver can impact laser diode and quantum cascade laser performance, safety features to keep in mind when selecting a driver, and important driver specifications. To read the article, click here.
The low noise LD15CHA – the newest addition to the Wavelength laser diode driver line – offers exceptional modulation bandwidth, and ample power for materials processing, industrial laser cutting, and laser diode bars / stacks.
The small laser diode driver delivers 15 A output current up to 28 V. It meets laser compliance requirements from 3 V with a single 5 V supply, and up to 28 V with an additional 30 V power supply. Additional models are available with 2.5 A, 5 A, and 10 A output. This product family supports A & B type laser diodes. Three photodiode current ranges are available.
This best-in-class temperature controller offers:
Over and under temperature limits as well as positive and negative current limits can be set. If the sensor signal is lost or a short is detected at the thermoelectric, output current is disabled. If temperature limits are exceeded, a signal to the active laser load can be sent to disable its current. For example, connect the LD Shutdown BNC output to the Active Lock input on Wavelength’s QCL LAB driver and the QCL current will shut down if temperature limits are exceeded. An Auxiliary Sensor can be used to monitor the temperature of the system heatsink.
Instead of long, manual calculations to derive the optimal Proportional, Integral, and Derivative [PID] control terms for a load, press the IntelliTune icon and the instrument will automatically cycle through a characterization test to tune the control terms for best performance. Two methods of IntelliTune are available. Setpoint Response optimization will minimize the time to temperature for the load. Disturbance Rejection optimization is best when there will be significant changes to the ambient temperature or operating condition. This could be for a pulsing laser diode where the active heat load changes or a sample that is to be tested in changing ambient temperatures. For detailed exploration of IntelliTune, download Application Note AN-TC13: IntelliTune vs. Conventional Autotune.
Take your research to the next level.
For more information, download the datasheet.
A QuickStart video simulates controlling temperature for a spectroscopy application using a laser with an embedded 3A thermoelectric and a 10kΩ thermistor. It takes you through all the steps necessary to control the laser temperature quickly and easily.
The LDMOUNT is ideal for pump and communication diode lasers. The LDMOUNT from Wavelength Electronics is designed for optoelectronic modules in a 14-pin butterfly package that require up to 5A. With integrated heatsinking, built-in safety features, and easy connection to eight different high performance Wavelength controllers, the LDMOUNT can be used in a variety of applications, mounted on an optics table or to a chassis.
Designed for 14-pin butterfly laser diodes with internal thermistors and Thermo Electric Coolers (TEC), the LDMOUNT is a laser diode mount with integrated heat sinking, and simple connections between the drivers and the diode laser. A zero insertion force (ZIF) socket holds the laser. Two 9-pin DSUB connectors enable TEC and laser driver control. Two basic butterfly laser diode types are supported. For any other pinout, the LDMOUNT-CU Card is available for hand wiring.
The LDMOUNT is designed for use with laser diodes that have the laser diode anode (LDA) grounded. As such, the laser diode cathode (LDC) is at a negative potential. The LDMOUNT is designed to operate at temperatures below 50°C. The user is able to change between the types easily by using the provided pre-configured connection card.
The LDMOUNT has several built-in safety features. These include a reverse bias protection diode across the laser diode, an interlock circuit for the laser diode current, and a TEC Active/Bypass switch to require active temperature control before laser current can be enabled.
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This video will help you quickly operate the TC LAB instrument. In this video, we will simulate controlling laser temperature for a spectroscopy application. Embedded with the laser is a thermoelectric with a maximum current of 3A and a 10kΩ thermistor.
Wavelength’s proprietary IntelliTune™ algorithm characterizes the TEC / Sensor system’s response to the TC LAB temperature controller and then automatically adjusts the PID control values as setpoint, tuning mode, or bias current are changed.
With IntelliTune’s ability to recalculate control values, the temperature controller becomes a tool for speeding up experimental studies. Questions like “What are the best PID control coefficients to use?” can now become “Which mode achieves best stability fastest?” or “Should I use the D term or leave it out?”. These are quickly and easily answered.
We studied the TCLAB with a 3A thermoelectric load to explore what IntelliTune™ makes possible. For example, the following graphs demonstrate the step response to a change in setpoint. They show time to temperature for two modes – Setpoint Response or Disturbance Rejection – with or without the Derivative control term. All PID control values were automatically generated by IntelliTune after one characterization scan. The complete report can be found HERE. We invite you to try out IntelliTune on your load(s) and see what a time saver it can be.
