Download Excelsior - Spectra

Troubleshooting and Service
Symptom: High optical noise
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 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.
Laser is not warmed up
Allow the laser to warm up for at least 5 minutes.
Laser head temperature is
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.
Improper ground
Check the grounding of the laser head and the controller.
Vibration outside of operating Ensure that any vibration experienced by the laser head is within operating
limits
limits.
Power supply ripple
Verify the power supply ripple is below 150 mV peak-to-peak.
External noise source
Check that there are no strong electromagnetic noise sources near the system. If the output power is controlled externally, verify the voltage signal
applied to Pin 8 of the EXTERNAL CONTROL connector is low noise.
Symptom: Bad transverse mode
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.
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.
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.
5-3