OPHIR Pyrocam IIIHR, User Manual

Page: 10 / 42

Pyrocam III
HR
User Guide Document No. 50361-001 Rev E 7/18/2017 Page 10
CHAPTER 3
–
SETUP AND OPERATION
3.1 Introduction
The Pyrocam can analyze both CW and Pulsed style lasers. Fitted with an appropriate lens, the
Pyrocam can continuously image high temperature thermal objects, or can capture short-pulsed
thermal events. The Pyrocam requires different setups depending on the specific application.
NOTE: This manual describes the operation of the Pyrocam III
HR
with BeamGage
.
For other
methods of operation, please refer to CHAPTER 4.
3.2 Overview of Pyrocam Controls
All of the features for the Pyrocam III
HR
are found in the BeamGage software. The panels that
are unique to the Pyrocam III
HR
are shown and described below.
Chopped (CW) vs. Pulsed
To operate in Chopped (CW) mode, the Pyrocam employs a rotating chopper that can operate
at one of two different chopping rates,
25Hz and 50Hz . We recommend that you always use
the 50Hz rate in order to obtain a linear response. The 25Hz rate should only be used in
combination with higher gain and frame averaging to extract the very weakest of images.
When operating in pulsed mode, the Pyrocam must be externally triggered. The
Delay setting
should be set to 0µs (default) if the laser fires a few microseconds after the trigger’s rising
edge and if the pulse is at least tens of µs in length.
If the laser pulse is very short and/or occurs either simultaneous with the trigger’s rising edge
or before the trigger pulse’s rising edge, set the Delay to a negative value that will insure the
capture of the laser pulse prior to receiving the trigger.
The
Rate value will indicate either the current chopper frequency or the input trigger pulse rate
in Hz.
Exposure Control
When operating in Pulsed mode, the Pyrocam must be externally triggered and the Exposure
control must be set to a value slightly larger (10-15%) than the laser’s pulse width. (Not the
trigger pulse length.) The exposure range is from 1 to 40,000µs.
NOTE: The Exposure control has no effect in chopped mode and there is no Auto setup or
Auto-X features for the Pyrocam.
Hint: Always remember to re- Ultracal after changing the Trigger Mode or the Exposure
setting.
Gain Control