1.6 User Interface
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During this delay, the
LASER ON
indicator will blink back-and-
forth. To abort energizing the laser during this time, simply press
the [LASER On
/
O
ff
] button a second time.
1.6.1.2 Laser control mode
The principal control mode of the laser, either CC or CP, is controlled
by the [Current
/
Power] button under the “Laser Diode Control”
block. When the laser is o
ff
, pressing this button toggles between CC
and CP modes (as shown by the
CC
and
CP
indicators). When on, the
user may still switch between control modes by pressing the [Cur-
rent
/
Power] button; however, in this case, a confirmation message
appears on the display. If the button is not depressed a second time
within 3 s, the request is abandoned.
1.6.1.3 TEC on/off
The [TEC On
/
O
ff
] button, under the “TEC Control” block, toggles
the TEC current source on and o
ff
.There is no delay imposed on this
8
action, and the state of the TEC is indicated by the
TEC ON
lamp.
1.6.1.4 TEC control mode
The principal control mode of the TEC, either CT or CC, is controlled
by the [Temp
/
Current] button under the “TEC Control” block. When
the TEC is o
ff
, pressing this button toggles between CT and CC modes
(as shown by the
CT
and
CC
indicators). When the TEC is on, the
user must confirm the change with a second button press within 3 s.
1.6.2
Dedicated displays
The two primary sections of the LDC500, the LD and the TEC,
each have a large numeric display dedicated to that subsystem’s
“primary” measurement value. For the LD, this is either the laser
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5
operating current or the photodiode current (or power), when in CC
or CP mode, respectively. For the TEC, this is temperature or resis-
tance, or TEC current. Units and warning indicators are also in the
dedicated display blocks.
1.6.3
Alphanumeric display
All user inputs, and non-primary monitor functions, are handled by
the central alphanumeric display. Control of this display is through
3
LDC500 Series Laser Diode Controllers
