Alan Stummer
Research Lab Technologist

Tapered Amp, Thorlabs Controller



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I am curious who uses what.  Are these webpages a waste of time, or are they any help to others?  Are the circuits, software and utilities appearing in other labs?  Please send your comments or suggestions or what you have used (or not) or schematics of your version or pictures or anything!   Email me, or be creative and send a postcard! I want to hear from the vacuum! Links

NOTICE: This webpage and associated files is provided for reference only.  This is not a kit site!  It is a collection of my work here at the University of Toronto in the Physics department. If you are considering using any schematics, designs, or anything else from here then be warned that you had better know something of what you are about to do.  No design is guaranteed in any way, including workable schematic, board layout, HDL code, embedded software, user software, component selection, documentation, webpages, or anything.

All that said, if it says here it works then for me it worked. To make the project work may have involved undocumented additions, changes, deletions, tweaks, tunings, alterations, modifications, adjustments, waving of a wand while wearing a pointy black hat, appeals to electron deities and just plain doing whatever it takes to make the project work.



Overview

Started April 2010 for Alma Bardon in Joseph's lab.  This is a remake of the same unit made in 2006 for which there is not any documentation.  This is a temperature and amplifier current controller based on the Thorlabs ITC100/133 temperature and current controller and a Power-One HCC15-3-A linear ±12V/3A power supply.  The tapered amplifier is an Eagleyard EYP-TPA-0765-01500-3006-CMT03-0000 tapered amplifier.


How It Works

The power supply powers the Thorlabs controller assembly.  That assembly, via a DB-9 connector on the back, powers a TEC and the Eagleyard amplifier.  On the front panel are the Thorlabs faceplate, a laser on/off switch and a laser current control.  The latter, a 10-turn pot, replaces the trimpot on the Thorlabs ITC100 board.  Note that the anode of the tapered amplifier is connected to the amplifier housing which is grounded to the optical table. Ensure that no other connections are connected to ground.



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