2.5
Begin data collection
•
If the program is not already running, start the LBA-PC software on the computer by Clicking on
the Windows ‘Start’ button, then ‘Programs’, ‘Spiricon’, ‘LBA-PC’, and ‘run LBA-PC’. When
the program starts, verify that the correct configuration file is being used… the name of the
configuration file in the title bar should match the serial number of the IBP-YAG head.
Click Start! and the LBA software will begin capturing video frames from the IBP-YAG
immediately. If your laser is pulsed, the image may be flashing on and off in the display. This is
normal when the software is in Continuous Capture Method mode.
•
Open the Shutter on the IBP-YAG by sliding the knob on the input aperture towards the back of
the instrument.
Never attempt to block the laser beam by closing the IBP-
YAG shutter. The IBP-YAG shutter is not designed to
handle high energy beams and doing so will damage the
instrument.
•
Start the Laser
•
The LBA-PC should immediately change to display the laser beam hitting the detector. If the
alignment of the IBP-YAG and the attenuation settings were close, you should see the image of
the laser beam on the display
•
Adjust the attenuation: Decrease or increase the coarse attenuation until the beam is just
saturated (portions of the displayed beam will turn white when saturated). Increase the fine
attenuation until beam is just below saturation.
•
Center the Beam image in the display by adjusting the leveling adjusters and/or moving the
instrument to center the beam in the input aperture.
2.5.1
Troubleshooting
If the beam image is not visible when the laser is started, the instrument may be too severely misaligned
for the laser energy to reach the detector, or the attenuation may be set too high.
•
Verify the alignment of the instrument. Use an IR detector to verify that the laser beam enters
the center of the IBP-YAG input aperture. If the laser beam is not vertical when it exits the
delivery system, you may need to adjust the orientation of the instrument to match.
•
Verify the attenuation settings. Verify that both of the attenuation knobs are in detent positions.
Verify that the coarse attenuation knob is not in the highest (fully clockwise) position. Check the
actual output of the laser with a power meter.
2.6
Taking measurements
This section contains the basic procedures to obtain accurate results from the IBP-YAG. See the software
manual for more information.
2.6.1
Software Settings
Select the Computations dialog box and select the calculations that you wish the software to perform. In
addition to the calculation settings, make sure that ‘Laser Type’ matches your laser; CW or Pulsed. Refer
IBP-YAG
Setup and Operation
2-5
