Gentec-EO P-LINK User Manual

Page 12

P-

LINK User’s Manual Revision 15.0

Gentec Electro

Getting Started

First you have to install the P-LINK software(PC-LINK) on your computer, along with the USB
drivers, They are found on the CD included. Until the COM port is connected, all the other
menu options are grayed out. To start, you must find the P-LINK’s communication port. To do
so, click Ctrl / Communication / Auto Connect. A dialog box appears while PC-LINK is
searching for the correct port. Once it found it, an informative dialog box will appear with the
correct COM port. If no P-LINK is found, an error dialog box will appear.

If you already know your COM port number,, click Ctrl / Communication / Connect. A dialog
box appears so that you can select the appropriate serial port (COM 1, COM 2, etc.). Once you
have selected a port, click OK. Now you are ready to adjust the settings.

4.1

Quick power measurement procedure

This section shows you the fastest way of making a laser power measurement with the P-LINK.

The monitor automatically recognizes all the Gentec-EO power heads of version 4 or higher. All custom
technical data required for optimum operation of the detector will be automatically downloaded from the
EEPROM in the DB-15 connector. This data includes sensitivity, model, serial number, version,
wavelength correction factors, and time response. In case of a conflict, use the sensitivity on the most
recent calibration certificate. The P-LINK must be disconnected from the PC before connecting a new
head in order to prevent any lost of data from the detector’s head EEPROM.

Quick power and energy measurement procedure:

Install the power detector head on its optical stand.

First, slide the connector latch to the right to unlock the connector.

Connect a version 5 (or higher) power or energy detector head to the P-LINK using the PROBE
INPUT JACK (see Fig. 3-1) while the P-LINK is disconnected from the PC.

Slide the latch to the left to lock the connector into place.

Connect the USB cable to your computer for the USB model or, for model RS-232, plug the RS-
232 cable to your computer and then the power supply.

If you have a photodiode, to obtain measurements in dBm, select Settings / Power Unit / dBm.

Remove the head’s protective cover.

Put the detector head into the laser beam path. The entire laser beam must be within the
sensor aperture. Do not exceed maximum specified densities or powers. For the most
accurate measurement, spread the beam across 60% to 80% of the sensor area.

Note: Power heads can be used with both CW and pulsed lasers.

- Adjusting the zero (steps 8 to 10)

Block off the laser radiation to the detector.

The power read by the P-LINK when no laser beam is incident on the detector may not be
exactly zero. This is because the detector is not thermally stabilized OR there was a heat
source in the detector’s field of view when you turned on the P-LINK.