Click to Enlarge
CLD1015 with Installed Butterfly Laser

Key Specifications
Laser Diode Current Output	1.5 A @ 4 V (Max)
Laser Diode Current Limit	1 mA to 1.5 A
Laser Diode Current Resolution	100 µA
Monitor Diode Range	0 to 2 mA (Low) 0 to 20 mA (High)
Monitor Diode Resolution	0.1 µA (Low) 1 µA (High)
Thermoelectric Cooler Current	3.5 A @ 4 V (Max)
Temperature Tuning Range^a	-55 °C to +150 °C (Max)
Temperature Resolution	0.01 °C
Switchable Noise Reduction Filter	15 µA RMS (Typ.)
Modulation Input Bandwidth	250 kHz (3 dB)

^aThe exact range is limited by the physical parameters of the thermistor.

Features

Operates in Constant Current or Constant Power Mode
Controlled Locally with Touch Panel GUI or Remotely over USB
Provides up to 1.5 A of Drive Current and up to 3.5 A of TEC Current
Integrated Butterfly Mount Compatible with Thorlabs' Laser Products
Compact Size: 111 mm x 73.5 mm x 169.2 mm (4.37" x 2.9" x 6.66")

Thorlabs is pleased to offer the CLD1015 Laser Diode Driver and Temperature Controller, which comprises a complete driver package for fiber-coupled lasers, superluminescent diodes, and laser amplifiers in butterfly packages. The all-in-one unit supplies up to 1.5 A of drive current, making it compatible with Thorlabs' entire family of pigtailed diode lasers; maintains the diode temperature with 0.01° C precision, providing a high degree of output stability and prolonging the life of the diode; and contains a built-in mount for portability and mechanical stability. No additional equipment is needed to operate a laser diode. It also includes a full complement of safety features, such as a soft start mode, current and temperature limits, and external interlock compatibility, in addition to advanced features, including a switchable noise reduction filter and a modulation input, usually only found on more expensive units.

This laser driver's control interface makes it easy to tune, tweak, and optimize the laser output parameters. It is based upon a 4.3" diagonal, colored touch screen display that responds instantly to taps. The flat, intuitive menu system provides visual feedback as the hierarchy is navigated, and the user is never more than two taps away from the home screen. For screenshots of the interface, please see the Display tab. A mini-USB connector on the rear of the unit enables remote control using several common programming languages, including LabVIEW and the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) standard. For the full array of options, please refer to the Specs tab. A stylus is supplied with the unit to keep the display smudge-free.

A significant advantage of the CLD1015 is its compact size. When fully assembled, it measures just 4.37" x 2.9" x 6.66" (111 mm x 73.5 mm x 169.2 mm), ideal for closely packed setups. Two built-in ports on the back of the unit are sized for feeding through a fiber-coupled input and output, and are compatible with Thorlabs' FC to FC Mating Sleeves (not included). A magnetically sealed lid protects the butterfly package from the user, particulates, and other lab hazards, and encloses the laser diode in the unit. Two mounting clips, compatible with 1/4"-20 and M6 bolts, are supplied with the CLD1015 to secure it to a breadboard.

When used together with Thorlabs' line of pigtailed laser diodes, fiber-coupled superluminescent diodes, and fiber-coupled amplifiers, the CLD1015 is a friendly, compact, and complete operational solution.

Note: The CLD1015 laser diode driver may be controlled locally via the touch screen or remotely over USB. The command sets that are accessible over USB - for example, via LabVIEW or the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) - offer increased resolution, as shown in the table below.

Operating Parameter	Via Front Panel	Via Remote Control
Current Control (Constant Current Mode)
Control Range	0 to 1.5 A
Compliance Voltage	>4 V
Resolution	100 µA	50 µA
Accuracy	±(0.1% + 500 µA)
Noise and Ripple (Typ.)	30 µA without Noise Reduction Filter 15 µA with Noise Reduction Filter (10 Hz to 10 MHz, RMS)
Drift (24 Hours)	<50 µA @ 0 - 10 Hz in Constant Ambient Temperature
Temperature Coefficient	<50 ppm/°C
Current Limit
Setting Range	1 mA to 1.5 A
Resolution	100 µA	50 µA
Accuracy	±(0.12% + 800 µA)
Photodiode Input
Photocurrent Ranges	2 mA (Low) 20 mA (High)
Photocurrent Resolution	100 nA (Low) 1 µA (High)	70 nA (Low) 700 nA (High)
Photocurrent Accuracy	±(0.08% +0.5 µA) (Low) ±(0.08% +5 µA) (High)
Photodiode Reverse Bias Voltage	0.1 to 6 V
Photodiode Input Impedance	≈0 Ω (Virtual Ground)
Power Control (Constant Power Mode)
Photocurrent Control Ranges	0 to 2 mA (Low) 0 to 20 mA (High)
Laser Voltage Measurement
Resolution	1 mV	200 µV
Accuracy	±(0.1% + 40 mV)
Laser Overvoltage Protection
Trip Voltage (Typ.)	4.2 V
Modulation Input
Input Impedance	10 kΩ
3 dB Bandwidth (Constant Current Mode)	DC to 250 kHz without Noise Reduction Filter DC to 7.5 kHz with Noise Reduction Filter
Modulation Coefficient (Constant Current Mode)	150 mA/V ±5%
Modulation Coefficient (Constant Power Mode)	200 µA/V ±5% (Low) 2 mA/V ±5% (High)
TEC Current Output
Control Range	-3.5 to 3.5 A
Compliance Voltage	>4 V
Maximum Output Power	>14 W
Resolution	1 mA	100 µA
Accuracy	±(0.2% + 20 mA)
TEC Current Limit
Setting Range	50 mA to 3.5 A
Resolution	1 mA	100 µA
Accuracy	±(0.2% + 20 mA)
NTC Thermistor Sensors
Resistance Measurement Range	300 Ω to 150 kΩ
Control Range^a	-55 °C to +150 °C (Max)
Temperature Resolution	0.01 °C
Resistance Resolution	1 Ω
Accuracy	±(0.1% + 1 Ω)
Temperature Stability^a (24 Hours)	<0.005 °C (Typ.)
Temperture Coefficient	<5 mK/°C
Temperature Window Protection
Setting Range	0.01 °C to 100.0 °C
Protection Reset Delay	0 to 600 s
Interface
USB 2.0	Compliant with USBTMC/USBTMC-USB488 Specification Rev. 1.0
Protocol	SCPI-Compliant Command Set
Supplied Drivers	VISA VXI pnp™, MS Visual Studio™, MS Visual Studio.net™, LabVIEW™, LabWindows/CVI™
General Data
Safety Features	Interlock, Keylock Switch, Laser Current Limit, Soft Start, Short Circuit when Laser Off, Laser Overvoltage Protection, Over Temperature Protection, Temperature Window Protection
Display	4.3" LCD TFT, 480 x 272 Pixels
Socket for Laser, Photodiode, NTC, TEC	Compatible with Butterfly Type 1 (Pump) and Butterfly Type 2 (Telecom)
Connector for Modulation Input	SMA
Connector for Interlock & Laser On Signal	2.5 mm Mono Phono Jack
Connector for USB-Interface	USB Type Mini-B
Chassis Ground Connector	4 mm Banana Jack
Desktop Power Supply, Line Voltage, Line Frequency	100 to 240 V ±10%, 47 to 63 Hz
Maximum Power Consumption	40 W
Operating Temperature	0 to +40 °C
Storage Temperature	-40 to +70°C
Warm-up Time for Rated Accuracy	30 min
Weight	1.0 kg
Dimensions without Operating Elements (W x H x D)	111 mm x 73.5 mm x 152.6 mm (4.37" x 2.9" x 6.01")
Dimensions with Operating Elements (W x H x D)	111 mm x 73.5 mm x 169.2 mm (4.37" x 2.9" x 6.66")

^a The temperature control range and thermal stability depend upon the physical parameters of the thermistor and the operating temperature, respectively.

All technical data are valid at 23 ± 5 °C and 45 ± 15% relative humidity and subject to change without notice.

Control Interface

The laser controller's interface consists of a flat menu hierarchy that makes it easy to find parameters to adjust.

Home Screen in Constant Current Mode		Home Screen in Constant Power Mode
Click to Enlarge	In Constant Current Mode, the home screen emphasizes the laser diode current and temperature and displays their respective setpoints. The output power, measured by the monitor diode, is also displayed. Up to four setpoint combinations can be stored in memory.	Click to Enlarge	In Constant Power Mode, the home screen emphasizes the laser output power and diode temperature. The laser diode current is also displayed.
Setpoint Entry		Menu Screen
Click to Enlarge	Each setpoint is easily modified. Simply tap the value to be changed, and buttons appear on the right that allow the value to be set. The current value of the parameter remains displayed while tweaking.	Click to Enlarge	The CLD1015 is configured through an intuitive two-level menu structure. All settings related to the laser and the thermoelectric cooler are made here, and several other system settings are provided.

The CLD1015 Laser Diode Driver and Temperature Controller is compatible with Type 1 Pump Laser Diodes and Type 2 Telecom Laser Diodes. Please use the pin diagrams below to verify compatibility with your specific butterfly package. The interior of the CLD1015 is labeled with the correct installation orientation for Type 1 and Type 2 lasers.

Type 1: Pump Laser Diodes

Connector Drawing

Pin	Connection	Pin	Connection
1	TEC+ (Thermoelectric Cooler)	8	Monitor Diode Anode^a
2	Thermistor	9	Laser Diode Cathode^b
3	Monitor Diode Anode^a	10	Laser Diode Anode
4	Monitor Diode Cathode^a	11	Laser Diode Cathode^b
5	Thermistor	12	No Connection
6	No Connection	13	Ground
7	Monitor Diode Cathode^a	14	TEC- (Thermoelectric Cooler)

^aThe monitor photodiode may be placed across either pins 7 and 8 or pins 3 and 4.
^bThe laser diode cathode may be placed at either pin 9 or pin 11.

Type 2: Telecom Laser Diodes

Connector Drawing

Pin	Connection	Pin	Connection
1	Thermistor	8	Ground
2	Thermistor	9	Ground
3	Laser Diode Cathode	10	No Connection
4	Monitor Diode Anode	11	Laser Diode Anode^c
5	Monitor Diode Cathode	12	No Connection
6	TEC+ (Thermoelectric Cooler)	13	Laser Diode Anode^c
7	TEC- (Thermoelectric Cooler)	14	No Connection

^c The laser diode anode may be placed at either pin 11 or pin 13.

Software for Laser Diode Controllers

The download button below links to VISA VXI pnp™, MS Visual Studio™, MS Visual Studio.net™, LabVIEW™, and LabWindows/CVI™ drivers, firmware, utilities, and and support documentation for Thorlabs' ITC4000 Series laser controllers and the CLD1015 compact laser diode controller.

Software

Version 3.0 (August 2, 2012)

The software packages support LabVIEW 8.5 and higher. If you are using an earlier version of LabVIEW, please contact Technical Support for assistance.

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Posted Comments:

Poster: doug

Posted Date: 2013-02-12 14:40:11.153

The CLD 1015 would be very attractive if I could re-configure the pin-out, and also remove one side of the zero-force pin holder. I am using a 7-pin butterfly (i.e. one-sided) with a high-speed modulation K-connector on the other side. So, the fixed pin-out of the current product prevents me from using it.

Poster: jvigroux

Posted Date: 2012-09-12 13:12:00.0

A reposne from Julien at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback! We are really glad we could develop a device that triggered such a positive response! We did put a lot of effort into trying to make this device as versatile as possible as the number of potential applications is very large. The switching noise is indeed the main limitation, which was unfortunately not possible to completely eliminate without compromising the output current.

Poster: scoleman

Posted Date: 2012-09-11 11:32:30.0

I have had the opportunity to use this device for several weeks now and I am very pleased with it. The interface is the best I have used on any laser controller (in 15 years in this business) and provides a great deal of confidence-inspiring information, at a glance. Nothing is extraneous, the home "page" is wonderful. Error handling is great, changing pinouts is very convenient, and the current source and TEC controller are very powerful, especially considering the size of the unit. For applications requiring modulation/pulsing the unit has significantly more bandwidth than similar controllers. The versatility of this little unit is really impressive and all of the features are intuitive to access. It was clearly designed by people very familiar with operating lasers in real-world situations. The only limitation I have encountered with it thus far is that some switching noise is evident when making sensitive (DFB phase noise/RIN) measurements. . .but in my opinion this is a reasonable trade given the amount of current the current source can provide in such a small package. This noise is reduced at increased drive current. Also, FYI the mounting screws are metric and wrenches are provided. All in all I highly recommend this device.

Poster: jvigroux

Posted Date: 2012-09-05 13:07:00.0

A response form Julien at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback! We did try to create device that was at the same time as versatile and easy to use as possible as well as compact, which might lead to the impression that the display is cluttered when one only sees screenshots. We will address this point and replace the pictures in order to give a more accurate feeling about the ease of use of the CLD1015, as Sean already wrote. We would also be happy to send you a loan unit so that you can try it out and hopefully change your mind about the ease of use of this device.

Poster: sharrell

Posted Date: 2012-09-05 10:25:00.0

Response from Sean at Thorlabs: Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on our new butterfly laser diode mount and controller. Based on your feedback, we will be taking new photos of the device which will better show its intended function. This device was created after many discussions with customers who were looking for a compact, easy-to-use unit with advanced control features not available on our other mounts.

Poster: cbrideau

Posted Date: 2012-09-04 14:29:43.0

When I saw the picture for this I thought Thor was selling a kitchen scale. The screen seems overly complex compared to a simple temperature and current readout and a couple knobs but I suppose there are applications where you want to be able to set every tiny detail relatively quickly.

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