Description
The mLC Mini Laser Controller provides fully digital control of an ECDL or DFB/DBR laser. DFB/DBR lasers in a standard 14-pin butterfly package can be directly soldered onto the ultra-miniature form factor PCB (56×67×17.6 mm) for a complete compact laser system, or supplied in a standalone mechanical heatsink package for convenience (125×87×33 mm).
Alternatively, the mLC PCB can be integrated inside a laser chassis (CEX/CEF, LDX/LDF, MOA/MOAL/MSA), driving the laser directly from the laser head (over TCP/IP or USB), providing a very compact tunable laser solution without the need for a separate electronics controller box.
The mLC includes a high-precision temperature controller (TEC) and current source with low noise, high current (up to 1 A), and high compliance (up to 8.5 V). It includes a high voltage (180 V) piezo driver as well as a fast ADC input. In addition to two analogue inputs for direct modulation of both piezo and current drivers, the mLC provides an internal lock-in amplifier for AC locking to an atomic transition or high finesse optical cavity. Electrical power input is through a USB-C connection, and the device is compatible with most USB-C power delivery adapters. It can be operated using a computer communications interface (TCP/IP or USB) with simple text-based commands.
The table below compares the primary differences between the dDLC and mLC digital diode laser controllers. Please consult individual product specifications for more details.
| dDLC | mLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Key features | Modular, reconfigurable, expandable, all-in-one | Ultra-compact, low-power, embedded, DFB/DBR |
| Options | High current (up to 6A) TA driver, dual laser diode driver, 19” rack mountable | Standalone, embedded, OEM |
| Current supply | Ultra-low noise, up to 800mA | Ultra-low noise, up to 1024mA |
| Compliance voltage | 8V at 400mA, 4V at 800mA | 8V at 500mA, 7.5V at 1024mA |
| Temperature controller | 7.5 – 49.5°C ±0.001°C resolution | 7.5 – 70°C ±0.01°C resolution |
| Piezo driver | 0 – 150V, ±10mA (charge and discharge), two independent channels | 0 – 180V, 15mA (charge and discharge), single channel |
| Locking | Slow (piezo) bandwidth: 10kHz; fast (current) bandwidth: 750kHz | Slow (piezo) bandwidth: 16kHz |
| External modulation | Piezo: coarse (full range 16bit DAC) and fine (10% around the set point 16bit DAC) digital; Current: ±1mA analogue | Piezo: full range analogue; Current: ±1mA analogue |
| Signal input/output | 4 BNC analogue inputs, 2 BNC analogue outputs, TTL digital inputs/outputs, Trigger output, Mod output | 1 SMA input: piezo mod; 1 SMA input (configurable): AC/DC PD input, current mod; Option: trigger output |
| Controls | GUI for remote operation via LAN or USB; 800x480 pixels full colour display, front panel encoders and buttons | GUI for remote operation via LAN or USB |
| Communications | TCP/IP ethernet (10/100); USB 2.0 Type B | TCP/IP ethernet (10/100); USB-C 3.0 |
| Laser | Standard: DVI-D DL socket; Option: Toptica DLPro | Standard: DVI-D DL socket; 14-pin butterfly package; Option: Toptica DLPro, Custom |
| Power | IEC mains, 90 – 264 Vac @ 47 – 63Hz, 28W (standby) | USB-C Power Delivery adapter, 4W (standby) |
| Dimensions | 19” 2U, 422×270×88mm (W×L×H), optional rack-mount ears, 3.5kg | W×L×H = 56×67×17.6mm, 50g (board, OEM) , W×L×H = 87×120×34mm, 500g (standalone) |
Features
- Ultra-miniature form factor: W×L×H = 56×67×17.6 mm (OEM board only)
- Standalone packaged form factor: WxLxH = 125×87×33 mm
- Ultra-low noise 1 A current source
- High-precision temperature controller
- High voltage (180 V) piezo driver
- Direct analgoue modulation input for current, piezo
- Feedback servo: single channel up to 10kHz bandwidth
- USB-C powered
- Simple text-based commands over TCP/IP or USB
- Fully featured GUI via remote host computer (TCP/IP or USB)