Continuum Surelite EX 10, Operation And Maintenance Manual

Page: 85 / 114

Section 6: Troubleshooting
996-0207 75
Figure 51 Image as seen
through rod
The back surface of the paper is the one that does not have the emulsion on it. When taking
shots ( or “ burns” ) into this side of the paper it is called a “ back” burn. Since the emulsion
is very sensitive to the laser energy it tends to saturate easily. By taking burns through the
back of the paper the energy is attenuated slightly, making interpretation of the burn pattern
easier.
WARNING!
The output coupler (6 ) should NEVER be
adjusted. Misalignment of this optic may
necessitate a system realignment by a factory
engineer
.
1. Allow the system to warm up and then set to P00 (single shot mode).
2. Take a piece of burn paper (approximately a 3" x 5" strip) and place it in a plastic bag.
3. Remove any harmonic generating crystals
4. Place the paper in the beam path just after the output port. It is important to position
the paper so that its back surface is facing the output of the oscillator (6).
5. Open the shutter by activating the SHUTTER key.
6. Press the FIRE button. The laser will now output a single pulse.
7. Close the intracavity shutter by depressing the SHUTTER button.
8. Remove the “ burn” paper from the bag and examine the pattern.
Note: Remember the orientation of the paper when the “ burn” is taken. This
will make it easier to determine which axis of the mirror mount to adjust.
The burn pattern should be a dark circle roughly the
same diameter as the oscillator rod. Inside of this circle
there should be another circle that is smaller and a
light brown color. The light brown indicates higher
energy in that area.
9. Adjust the “ rear” mirror (1) for optimum burn
pattern and maximum energy. For example, if the
light brown circle is in the lower half of the dark
circle then the beam needs to come up. This would require a vertical adjustment.
Note : The mirror has both vertical and horizontal adjustment (see Figure 50
on page 74). The vertical adjustment is the stainless steel threaded post that is on
the upper left corner of the mount (when viewing the mount from the back). The
horizontal adjustment is on the lower right corner.
10. Repeat previous steps until the light brown circle is centered.
Note : If after following this procedure the output beam does not look similar
to the initial installation burn patterns, then a more complex realignment may be
required. Contact Continuum Service Department for information.