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Excelsior Diode-Pumped Visible CW Lasers
Troubleshooting
This troubleshooting guide is intended to assist you in isolating some of the
problems that might arise while using the system. For information concerning the repair of this unit, please call your Spectra-Physics representative.
A list of world-wide service sites is included at the end of this chapter.
Symptom: No laser beam
Possible Causes
Corrective Action
No On signal applied to the
controller
Pin 2 of the EXTERNAL CONTROL connector must be pulled to ground to
turn on the laser.
If the laser power is controlled externally, set the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
switch to EXT and provide a stable, low-noise, 5 V signal to Pin 8 of the
EXTERNAL CONTROL connector.
Improper power supply voltage
Verify the DC power supply voltage is between 4.5 V and 5.5 V, and that the
power supply is capable of supplying at least 30 W.
Loose cable
connector
Check that all cables are securely connected.
Improper settings for the
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
switch
Verify the controller INTERNAL/EXTERNAL switch is set to INT.
If laser power is controlled externally, set the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL switch
to EXT and provide a stable, low-noise, 5 V signal to Pin 8 of the EXTERNAL CONTROL connector.
Symptom: Low power
Possible Causes
Corrective Action
Improper power supply voltage
Verify the DC power supply voltage is between 4.5 V and 5.5 V, and that the
power supply is capable of supplying at least 30 W.
Loose cable connector
Verify all cables are securely connected.
Improper settings for the
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
switch
Verify the Controller INTERNAL/EXTERNAL switch is set to INT.
If laser power is controlled externally, set the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL switch
to EXT and provide a stable, low-noise, 5 V signal to Pin 8 of the EXTERNAL CONTROL connector.
Incorrect power
measurement
Ensure that output power is measured as it leaves the laser head before the
output beam enters any external optical elements.
Laser is not warmed up
Allow the laser to warm up for at least 5 minutes.
Dirty output window
Clean the laser head output window.
Laser head temperature outside operating range
Measure the temperature of the baseplate. If it is below 10°C or exceeds
50°C, verify the ambient temperature is within the allowable operating range
and correct if necessary.
Verify the laser head baseplate is properly heat-sinked.
Reflected laser light is desta- Ensure that light reflected from any external optical elements does not reflect
bilizing the laser
back through the window of the laser head.
Diode pump laser has
reached its end of life
5-2
Contact your Spectra-Physics service representative about replacing the
laser head.