4.6. Thorlabs Power Meter#

Summary:	:pluginsummary:`ThorlabsPowerMeter`
Type:	:plugintype:`ThorlabsPowerMeter`
License:	:pluginlicense:`ThorlabsPowerMeter`
Platforms:	Windows
Devices:	Thorlabs Power and Energy Meter Consoles PM100x
Author:	:pluginauthor:`ThorlabsPowerMeter`

4.6.1. Overview#

ITOM Plugin to be used for interaction with the Thorlabs Power and Energy Meter Console Series.

4.6.2. Initialization#

The following parameters are mandatory or optional for initializing an instance of this plugin:

4.6.3. Parameters#

attenuation: {float}: attenuation [db]
auto_range: {int}: shows if the auto power range is whether on (1) or off(2)
average_number: {int}: defines the number of measurements to be averaged
bandwidth: {int}: defines if the input filter state is whether High (0) or Low (1)
calibration_message: {str}, read-only: calibration message
dark_offset: {float}, read-only: set dark offset [unknown]
device_name: {str}, read-only: device name
firmware_revision: {str}, read-only: firmware revision
line_frequency: {int}: line frequency of 50Hz or 60Hz
manufacturer_name: {str}, read-only: manufacturer name
measurement_mode: {str}: absolute or relative
name: {str}, read-only: name of the device
power_range: {float}: power range [W]; will be set to the next bigger possible value
reference_power: {float}: reference power for relative measurements
serial_number: {str}, read-only: serial number
wavelength: {float}: wavelength [nm]

4.6.4. Additional functions (exec functions)#

instance.exec('zero_device')#: function to set the zero value of the device

4.6.5. Installation#

For using this plugin, please install the PM100x_Instrument_Driver that is shipped with the Thorlabs power meter.

4.6.6. Compilation#

It is possible to use the Thorlabs power meter with the legacy Thorlabs software ThorlabsPowerMeter_v1.0.2 (see https://www.thorlabs.de/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=PM100x).

Alternatively you can use the Thorlabs Optical Power Meter Monitor Software Thorlabs.OpticalPowerMonitor_v1.1.0 (see https://www.thorlabs.de/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=OPM).

https://www.thorlabs.de/software_pages/ViewSoftwarePage.cfm?Code=OPM

Install this software and set the CMake variable THORLABS_PM100D_VISA_DIR or the environment variable NI_VISA_ROOT to the install directory of Thorlabs PM100D Visa (e.g. C:/Program Files/IVI Foundation/VISA/Win64).

Cmake should automatically detect the latest API Version installed and use it appropriately.

The user can set legacy versions if needed by setting the Cmake variable THORLABS_POWER_METER_API_VERSION either to “1.0.2” or “1.1.0” if needed.

Note

If you want to change the version of an existing configuration, please remove all related THORLABS_PM100D… variables, set the new version and press configure.

4.6.7. Exemplary usage from Python#

In the following script, the first detectable power meter is connected and a oscilloscope-like plot is opened that displays a moving graph of recent intensity values:

if not "pmXXX" in globals():
    pmXXX = dataIO("ThorlabsPowerMeter", "")

numPoints = 1000
image = dataObject.zeros([1,numPoints],'float64')
[i,plot_handle] = plot1(image)

def timeout():
    global timer_id
    d = dataObject()
    pmXXX.acquire() #acquire new intensity value

    image[0,0:numPoints-1] = image[0,1:] #shift pixels to the left by one...

    pmXXX.getVal(d) #get the recently acquired value
    image.copyMetaInfo(d)
    image[0,numPoints-1] = d[0,0] #...append new value to the end of image

    if plot_handle.exists():
        try:
            plot_handle["source"] = image #update the displayed image
        except:
            pass
    else:
        print("Figure has been closed. Stop acquisition...")
        timer_id.stop()
        del timer_id

timer_id = timer(50, timeout) #call timeout every 50ms

4.6.8. Changelog#

itom 3.0.0: plugin uses the driver PM100x_Instrument_Driver in version 3.0.2
itom 3.1.0: plugin uses the driver PM100x_Instrument_Driver in version 1.0.2 (Thorlabs has changed the major version number again)
Due to the chaotic version handling of Thorlabs PowerMeter, the source code is changed such that only version 3.0.2 is no longer supported.
itom 3.2.1: plugin uses the driver PM100x_Instrument_Driver in version 1.1.2317.102
itom 4.0.0: plugin uses the driver PM100x_Instrument_Driver in version 2.2
itom 4.1.0: plugin uses the driver in Optical Power Monitor in version 4.0.41
itom 4.3.0: plugin uses the driver in Optical Power Monitor in version 5.1.4