Features

• Auto Alignment of Beam to Center of Sensor* when in Closed-Loop Mode
• Beam Position Measurement when in Open-Loop Mode
• LED Cross Hair Position Display
• USB and Manual Interfaces
• Flexible Software Suite
• Compact T-Cube Footprint
• Compatible with T-Cube Hub System
• Sum and Difference Analog Outputs
• Position Demand Analog Outputs

*with respect to power density

The TQD001 T-Cube Quadrant Detector Reader interfaces with our range of Quadrant (PDQ80A and PDQ30C) and Lateral Effect (PDP90A) Sensor Heads (see the associated Tabs above for more information) and can be used either to measure the position of the beam on the sensor or to generate a signal that can be used as the feedback input for an automated beam steering element.

The signal generated can be used to steer the beam to the center of the sensor head. When combined with the TPZ001 Piezo Driver T-Cubes, this unit is ideal for such closed-loop beam-steering applications. Please call tech support for details on how the TQD001 can be used with sensors from other manufacturers.

Like all members of the T-Cube family, the footprint has been kept to a minimum [60 mm x 60 mm x 47 mm (2.4" x 2.4" x 1.8")], and the unit can be mounted directly to the optical table next to the detector and steering elements under control, thereby minimizing drive cable lengths while providing a convenient location to control the experiment manually via the top panel controls.

Click here for our line of compatible position sensors

Operation
The TQD001 T-Cube can be controlled by the manual interface on the top of the unit or via a USB connection to a computer running the included apt™ software or ActiveX command modules. Using either interface, the TQD001 operates in either an open- or closed-loop mode. The open-loop mode is used to measure the position of the beam on the detector. When in this mode, the T-Cube generates a left-minus-right X difference signal, a bottom-minus-top Y difference signal, and a sum signal.

In the closed-loop mode, a DSP processor inside the TQD001 runs two independent feedback loops that generate X and Y position demand outputs for use as the input to the beam steering element being used to center the beam on the detector. If the unit is being controlled manually, the beam position information (open-loop mode) or feedback signal (closed-loop mode) is available via SMA connectors on the side of the unit. When the unit is controlled via the USB interface, the open-loop output of the unit is also exported digitally to the computer.

Power Supply Options
The TQD001 T-Cube, which does not ship with a power supply, can be powered using either a TPS002 power supply or a TCH002 T-Cube Hub and Power Supply. The TPS002 power supply plugs into a standard wall outlet and provides +15, -15, and +5 VDC for up to two T-Cubes. The TCH002 consists of two parts: a hub that can support up to six standard footprint T-Cubes and a power supply that plugs into a standard wall outlet and powers the hub, which in turn powers all of the T-Cubes connected to the hub. The hub's single USB connection provides USB connectivity to all the T-Cubes plugged into the hub. In addition, when the TQD001 is intended to be used in the closed-loop mode with beam-steering controllers such as the TPZ001 Piezo Driver T-Cubes, the TCH002 is especially useful since the hub allows for the direct communication between the T-Cubes connected to the hub. As a result, the feedback signals generated by the TQD001 in the closed-loop mode can be sent directly to the TPZ001 piezo controllers being used to direct the beam steering elements.

A basic auto-alignment schematic is shown to the right. It consists of a PDQ80A Photodiode Sensor, a TQD001 quadrant detector, two TPZ001 piezo drivers, a piezo-actuated 2-axis turning mirror mount (Item# ASM003), a laser source, and a computer. Together, the system is used to position and maintain the laser beam so that it is located at the center of the detector array with respect to power density.

It should be noted that when used with older versions of the TPZ001 T-Cubes (i.e., Rev. 1. The revision number is displayed on the LED screen when the T-Cube is booted), the piezo cubes must be connected to the Quad Detector Reader using two external SMA connectors even if a TCH002 hub is being used; if Rev. 2 or higher TPZ001 T-Cubes are used with a TCH002 hub, the SMA to SMA cables are not needed. However, regardless of revision number, SMA to SMA cables are needed if the TCH002 hub is not used.

The experimental setup shown above was created based on the schematic to the right. An LDM635 red laser diode module outputting light at 635 nm serves as the laser source. The light is incident on an ASM003 turning mirror mount, which is mounted on a MBT616D flexure stage (center of photo). The turning mirror's x and y motions are controlled using two TPZ001 piezo actuators (these are the first and third T-Cubes shown on the TCH002 hub at the bottom of the picture). Please note that the piezo elements are meant for small beam alignment adjustments; if large static angular deflection adjustments are also necessary, we would recommend mounting the ASM003 turning mirror onto a pitch and yaw tilt platform such as the manually driven ATP001 or the micrometer driven ATP003.

The turning mirror directs light to a BP150 pellicle beamsplitter. The light transmitted by this beamsplitter will continue on to the rest of the experimental setup (not shown) while the reflected light is directed towards the PDQ80A Photodiode Sensor (back right of photo), which is controlled by the TQD001 T-Cube Quadrant Reader (located between the two TPZ001 piezo actuators on the TCH002 hub).

The APT (Advanced Positioning Technology) family covers a wide range of motion controller products ranging from small low powered single channel optomechanical motor drivers (the 'Cube' drivers) to high power multi-channel modular 19" rack nanopositioning systems (the APT Rack System).

All controllers in the APT family share a common software platform, the APT System Software. The software CD supplied with all controllers contains an installation of this system software, together with a wealth of support information in the form of handbooks, help files, tutorial videos, FAQs and other relevant information on using and programming these Thorlabs products.

By providing this common software platform, Thorlabs has ensured that users can easily mix and match any of the APT controllers in a single application while only having to learn one single set of software tools. In this way it is perfectly feasible to combine any of the controllers from the low powered single axis to the high powered multi-axis systems and control all from a single PC based unified software interface.

The APT System Software allows two methods of usage - graphical user interface utilities (supplied) for direct interaction and control of the controllers out of the box, and a set of programming interfaces that allow custom integrated positioning and alignment solutions to be easily programmed in the development language of choice.

Detailed information on both usage modes is provided on the CD. Also of particular interest, is the inclusion on the software CD of a range of software video tutorials (see the Video Tutorials tab). These videos illustrate some of the basics of using the APT System Software from both a non-programming and a programming point of view. There are videos that illustrate usage of the supplied APT utilities that allow immediate control of the APT controllers out of the box. There are also a number of videos that explain the basics of programming custom software applications using Visual Basic, LabView and Visual C++. 

Click here to go direct to the Thorlabs Download Area to access the full APT software CD. Experiment with the software using the simulator mode - refer to the Tutorial Videos for the APTConfig utility to learn how to select simulator mode.

These videos illustrate some of the basics of using the APT System Software from both a non-programming and a programming point of view. There are videos that illustrate usage of the supplied APT utilities that allow immediate control of the APT controllers out of the box. There are also a number of videos that explain the basics of programming custom software applications using Visual Basic, LabView and Visual C++. Watch the videos now to see what we mean.

Click here to view the video tutorial

To further assist programmers, a guide to programming the APT software in LabView is also available.

Click here to view the LabView guide