Swept Source Laser
14138-D02 Rev F 04/17/09 Page 5 of 18
1.3.
Care of the Swept Source Laser
Handle the system with care during transportation and unpacking. Banging or dropping the Swept Source Laser can
damage the unit or lower system performance.
Attention
If the system is mishandled during shipment, the optical components may become
misaligned, which could lead to a decrease in the image quality. If this happens,
the system will need to be realigned by qualified personnel.
If the system is dropped from a height greater than 15”, it will be necessary for
qualified Thorlabs’ personnel to perform an electrical security check.
Please contact Thorlabs for more information.
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Do not store or operate in a damp, closed environment.
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Do not store or operate on surfaces that are susceptible to vibrations.
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Do not expose to direct sunlight.
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Do not use solvents on or near the equipment.
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Keep away from dust, dirt, and air-borne pollutants (including cigarette smoke). The system is not designed
for outdoor use. Protect the equipment from rain and snow and humidity.
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Do not expose to mechanical and thermal extremes. Protect the equipment from rapid variation in
temperature.
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Handle all connectors, both electrical and optical, with care. Do not use unnecessary force as this may
damage the connectors.
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Handle the optical fiber with care; mechanical stress can decrease the performance and potentially destroy
the fiber. Continual bending of the optical fiber can cause damage, it is important to keep the optical fiber
patch cable as straight as possible to minimize bending.
NOTE: The most common cause of low signal intensity is contamination of the fiber due to airborne pollutants. To
minimize exposure avoid unnecessarily disconnecting the optical fiber patch cable. In addition, it is advisable to
check the fiber before making other adjustments to the optical system such as changing the focus, or optical
path length. Be sure to check the patch cord for a loose connection, and make sure that the fiber is kept as
straight as possible.
Attention
All lasers, especially laser having resonator cavities defined by mechanical
tolerances, are delicate precision instruments and they must be handled
accordingly.
The swept source OCT system is designed to withstand normal transportation and
normal operation conditions.
Do not move the system while it is connected and in operation.
