DLC pro
All digital controller for tunable diode lasers
• Extremely low noise & precise control • Knobs & touch user interface
• Remote PC GUI & command control • Intelligent locking features
DLC pro is the new benchmark for diode laser controllers. It defines a new level of low noise and convenience. Its low noise and drift levels make our DL pro series lasers even more silent and stable. Its impressive resolution (20 bits and more) enable precise control, and its knob/touch user interface and PC GUI allow for the most comfortable and intuitive operation. Easily change scan parameters with a multi-touch gesture to zoom onto spectral features or use the included FFT to analyze signals.
With the intelligent locking option DLC pro Lock installed, you may select a spectral feature by taping it on the screen and lock the laser to that peak with a simple press of a button. The intelligent locking option includes a 2-channel digital PID loop (bandwidth about 30 kHz), modulation and demodulation (11 Hz to 160 kHz) and ReLock. They allow for top-of-fringe as well as side-of-fringe locks with easy optimization of the PID parameter. The features are enabled with a software license.
If this license is not purchased along with the DLC pro, the license-protected features may be tested with the 30-day trial license provided with the DLC pro. A license for your device without time limit may then be purchased later. Activating by entering a license-key is an easy procedure that may be done by the customer.
For all systems, it is possible to stabilize to power of the laser system by controlling the current of the laser diode (DL pro, CTL) or the tapered amplifier chip (TA pro, TA-SHG pro, TA-FHG pro) using an external photodiode (all systems) or an internal photodiode (CTL, TA pro, TA-SHG pro, TA-FHG pro). Bandwidths in the kilohertz regime are achieved (see CC-500 and CC-5000 sections in the Specifications below).
The DLC ext allows extending the DLC pro with TOPTICA’s well-established fast locking modules. These modules provide high performance laser locking if a faster feedback than available with the DLC pro Lock option is needed.
TOPTICA provides updates of the software in the download section below and announces new versions by an email newsletter. These updates are not installed automatically. You may subscribe by sending an email to dlcpro@toptica.com with subject "subscribe".
Applications
• Atom Laser Cooling & Trapping • Ion Laser Cooling & Trapping • BEC / Degenerate Fermi Gases
• Optical Clocks • Rydberg Excitation • Optical Pumping & EIT
• Fundamental Constants • Interferometry • Quantum Cryptography
• Quantum Information • Quantum Dots & Microcavities • Magnetic Field Measurement
Options
• DLC pro Lock: Software license for DLC pro
Specifications
General / Main Control MC
General / MC Operator Controls
Touch Display, 10 push buttons, 4 knobs, 1 key switch
Display
7 inch, 800 x 480 pixels, 262 k colors
Touch panel
Projective capacitive (PCT) with multi-touch capability
Interfaces
Ethernet and USB
Current Control CC-500 & CC-5000
Current Control CC-500
Current Control CC-5000*
Max. laser current
2x 245 mA or 1x 490 mA (selectable)
5000 mA
Max. laser voltage
7 V @ 360 mA, 5 V @ 490 mA
3.5 V
Smallest current step
0.015 μA
5 μA
Current noise density
280 pA / sqrt(Hz) @ 1 kHz
120 nA / sqrt(Hz)
Low frequency current noise (0.1 Hz ... 10 Hz)
< 50 nA p-p
10 μA p-p
Temperature coefficient of laser current
<3 ppm / K typ. after > 1 h warm-up
Long-term stability of laser current
< 100 ppm / sqrt(khrs) after > 1 h warm-up
Modulation bandwidth (-3dB, 45°)
Between 15 kHz and 30 kHz
(depending on laser diode)100 Hz
Achievable power stabilization bandwidth
DL pro: 10 kHz, CTL: 4 kHz
TA pro: 4 kHz, SHG pro: 1 kHz
* For TA pro systems two CC-5000 can be combined to drive one amplifier chip at a higher current.
Temperature Control TC
Temperature Control TC
Max. TEC current
3 A
Max. TEC voltage
3 V @ 3 A / 12 V @ 3 A
Smallest set temperature step
50 μK
Act. temperature noise (100 μHz ... 1 Hz)
< 300 μK p-p
Repeatability of actual temperature
< 0.001 K after > 1 h warm-up
Temperature coeff. of actual temperature
< 140 ppm K / K after > 1 h warm-up
Piezo Control PC
Piezo Control PC
Piezo voltage range
-1 V ... +140 V
Max. piezo current (charge / decharge)
25 mA
Smallest piezo voltage step
0.01 mV
Voltage noise density
140 nV / sqrt (Hz) @ 1 kHz
Temperature coefficient of piezo voltage
< 40 ppm / K
Small signal bandwidth
3 kHz (0 load)
Inputs / Outputs
Inputs / Outputs
Analog inputs (BNC)
2x (24 bit, DC .. 300 kHz)
2x (16 /10 bits, DC .. 300 kHz / 1.7 MHz)
Input range, impedance
-4 V ... + 4V, 10 kOhm
Analog outputs (BNC)
2x (16 bits, DC .. 300 kHz)
Output range, impedance
-4 V ... + 4V (no load), 50 Ohm
Digital inputs**
4x TTL, 10 kOhm, Sub-HD 15-pin
Digital outputs**
4x TTL, 50 kOhm, Sub-HD 15-pin
** Optional break-out cable with 8 SMB connectors available.
Environmental, Power Supply PS
Environment / Supply
Voltage requirements
100 - 240 V~, 50 / 60 Hz
Power requirements
250 W max., typ. 35 W, no active cooling fans
Size (H x W x D)
154 mm x 450 mm x 348 mm
Weight
8.0 kg (with MC, CC-500, PC, TC)
Operating temperature
5 °C ... 40 °C
Transport temperature
0 °C ... 40 °C
Relative humidity
80 % for up to 31 °C, decr. lin. to 50 % at 40 °C
DLC ext
The DLC ext allows extending the DLC pro with TOPTICA’s well-established fast locking modules.
These modules provide high performance laser locking if a faster feedback than available with the DLC pro Lock option is needed.Number of possible modules
2
Supported modules
PDD 110, FALC 110, mFALC 110, DigiLock 110
Size (H x W x D)
131 mm (+67 mm) x 184 mm x 286 mm
Power supply
90 - 264 VAC (47 - 63 Hz), external, automatic mains voltage detection