"; _cf_contextpath=""; _cf_ajaxscriptsrc="/cfthorscripts/ajax"; _cf_jsonprefix='//'; _cf_websocket_port=8578; _cf_flash_policy_port=1244; _cf_clientid='35057EF034C70A4B2174266CC2B224EF';/* ]]> */
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wireless, Handheld Power Meters![]()
SM1-Threaded Adapter Sliding Neutral PM160T Power Meter with High-Sensitivity Thermal Sensor PM160 Photodiode Sensor Sensor Arm PM160T-HP Power Meter with High-Power Thermal Sensor SM1-Threaded Adapter for the PM160T-HP ![]() Please Wait
This animation shows some of the many ways that the PM160 power meter can be oriented. The PM160T and PM160T-HP power meter shares the same post-mounting and sensor-rotation features, but does not include a sliding ND filter. Features
Thorlabs' Wireless Power Meters consist of an ultra-slim sensor connected to a portable power meter with a built-in graphical Organic LED (OLED) display. Versions are available with either a silicon photodiode (Item # PM160), thermal sensor (Item # PM160T), or high-power thermal sensor (Item # PM160T-HP). A rechargeable battery provides up to 20 hours of continuous operation and these power meters can be recharged through the USB port. The PM160 power meter contains a sensitive silicon photodiode designed to detect optical powers between 10 nW and 2 mW at wavelengths between 400 and 1100 nm. The PM160 also comes with sliding neutral density filter that increases the maximum measurable optical power from 2 mW to 200 mW. The unit automatically detects the position of the neutral density filter to display the correctly calibrated power measurement. To use the filter, simply slide it up the handle until it locks into place over the detector. ![]() Click to Enlarge The wireless power meter, shown here with an iPad mini™ mobile device (not included), can be remotely operated using Apple mobile devices.
![]() OLED Standard Measurement Display The PM160T power meter uses the same thermal detector as our S401C High-Sensitivity Thermal Sensor Head. This power meter is designed to detect optical powers between 100 µW and 2 W at wavelengths between 190 nm and 10.6 µm. The PM106T-HP, on the other hand, is designed to detect optical powers between 10 mW and 70 W at wavelengths between 190 nm and 20 µm, offering a longer range and higher maximum power. Compared to photodiode sensors, these thermal sensors offer almost flat absorption curves, making them ideal for broadband power measurements. Combined with a wavelength range that extends into the mid-IR, the PM160T and PM160T-HP are well suited for use with a wide variety of sources including LEDs, SLDs, and mid-IR quantum cascade lasers. These wireless power meters can fit into tight spaces and pick up an incident beam from any direction. The ultra-slim sensor end of the device connects to the handle with a joint mechanism that allows 270° of rotation (see the animation to the upper right). When rotating the sensor arm, there is a detent every 90° and enough friction in the joint mechanism that the sensor arm can be positioned at any angle within the allowed rotation range. The output of the sensor is converted to a calibrated optical power measurement that can be displayed on the built-in OLED screen (see the screenshot to the left). The power meter can be controlled locally by the four buttons located on the sides of the OLED display's housing. The function of each button is indicated by the labels at each corner of the screen. The menus on the OLED display can also be used to rotate the text in 90° steps for ease of reading. Alternatively, data can be transmitted using Bluetooth wireless technology or USB to an external device (see image to the left). The wireless power meter can be operated from mobile devices; both Apple® and Android apps are available from their respective app stores. Recalibration Services The Bluetooth® word mark is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks is under license. Other trademarks and tradenames are those of their respective owners. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. IOS is a registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. iPad mini™ is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
These graphs show the typical response and absorption curves for the handheld power meters. The blue-shaded regions in the graphs indicate the specified wavelength range of the power meter. Please note that these curves are representative, and the actual absorption across the spectrum will vary from unit to unit. Raw data for the graphs are available for download below; however, each individual power meter is calibrated to accurately convert the detected signal to the displayed power reading, and a unit-specific calibration certificate is included with each power meter for reference. ![]() Click to Enlarge Click Here for Raw Data Typical absorption curve for the thermal sensor in the PM160T-HP. ![]() Click to Enlarge Click Here for Raw Data Typical absorption curve for the thermal sensor in the PM160T. ![]() Click to Enlarge Click Here for Raw Data Typical responsivity curve for the silicon photodiode in the PM160. Compatible Power Meters
The Optical Power Monitor software is not compatible with the PM320E Benchtop Power Meter. Optical Power MonitorThe Optical Power Monitor GUI software features power measurement, readout from up to eight power meters, and remote wireless operation. For details on specific software features, please see the user manual, which can be downloaded here. Users interested in the legacy Power Meter Software can find it by visiting the software page here. The PM101 Series Power Meters are only compatible with version 2.0 or later. The PM102 Series Power Meters are only compatible with version 2.1 or later. Optical Power Monitor GUI Software for Touchscreen, Handheld, and USB-Interface Power MetersFeatures
The Optical Power Monitor software GUI enables seamless control of up to eight power meters that are connected via USB, RS232, or Bluetooth® wireless technologya. The latest software, firmware, drivers, and utilities for these power meters can be downloaded here. Multiple data measurement and analysis functions are integrated into the GUI package. The interface offers a user-friendly design with minimal use of color and low brightness that is ideal use in dark lab environments while wearing laser safety glasses. Measured data can be displayed in real time as a simulated analog needle, digital values, line graph, or bar graph. Continuously logged and short-term measurements can be recorded for data viewing and analysis at a later point. A built-in statistics mode analyzes measured data and continuously updates to reflect new measurements within the pre-determined measurement period. Beam position measurements are also supported when used with our thermal position & power sensors. The Optical Power Monitor software package installs the GUI, which then can be used to control the touchscreen, handheld, or USB-interface power meters. Firmware updates for supported power meters are also available. Programming examples and drivers for interfacing with our power and energy meter consoles using LabVIEW, C/C++, Visual C#, and Python are installed with the software; refer to the manual for details. Please note that the Optical Power Monitor Software uses different drivers than the Power Meter Utilities Software and Thorlabs recommends using the new driver TLPM.dll. For users who wish to use the legacy Power Meter Software or use custom software designed using the older PM100D.dll driver, a Power Meter Driver Switcher program is included for easy swapping of the installed driver between the two versions. a. The PM160, PM160T, and PM160T-HP power meters are equipped with Bluetooth® connections. ![]() Click to Enlarge Power Measurement Mode: Set up and configure up to eight power meters. ![]() Click to Enlarge Power Tuning Mode: Simulated analog needle and digital measurement value provided. Delta Mode, enabled above, shows the fluctuation range during the measurement period. ![]() Click to Enlarge Power Statistics Mode: Calculate numerical statistics for a pre-determined measurement period. The panel displays the analyzed values in a bar graph and the results as numerical values. ![]() Click to Enlarge Position Tuning Mode: Tuning mode can be used with a thermal position & power sensor to aid in beam alignment. ![]() Click to Enlarge Position Statistics Mode: Statistics mode also provides aggregate information for thermal position & power sensors. ![]() Click to Enlarge Data Logging: Enable long-term measurement and simultaneous recording from up to eight power meters. Save data as .csv files for later processing while measurement results are displayed in a graph in real time. Pulsed Laser Emission: Power and Energy CalculationsDetermining whether emission from a pulsed laser is compatible with a device or application can require referencing parameters that are not supplied by the laser's manufacturer. When this is the case, the necessary parameters can typically be calculated from the available information. Calculating peak pulse power, average power, pulse energy, and related parameters can be necessary to achieve desired outcomes including:
Pulsed laser radiation parameters are illustrated in Figure 1 and described in the table. For quick reference, a list of equations are provided below. The document available for download provides this information, as well as an introduction to pulsed laser emission, an overview of relationships among the different parameters, and guidance for applying the calculations.
![]() Click to Enlarge Figure 1: Parameters used to describe pulsed laser emission are indicated in the plot (above) and described in the table (below). Pulse energy (E) is the shaded area under the pulse curve. Pulse energy is, equivalently, the area of the diagonally hashed region.
Example Calculation: Is it safe to use a detector with a specified maximum peak optical input power of 75 mW to measure the following pulsed laser emission?
The energy per pulse: seems low, but the peak pulse power is: It is not safe to use the detector to measure this pulsed laser emission, since the peak power of the pulses is >5 orders of magnitude higher than the detector's maximum peak optical input power.
![]() Included Components
The PM160 Wireless Power Meter consists of a sensitive Silicon photodiode connected to a portable power meter with a built-in graphical Organic LED (OLED) display. The Ø9.5 mm (Ø0.37") sensor is designed to detect optical powers between 10 nW and 2 mW at wavelengths between 400 and 1100 nm. The PM160 also comes with a sliding neutral density filter that increases the maximum measurable optical power from 2 mW to 200 mW. The unit automatically detects the position of the neutral density filter to display the correctly calibrated power measurement. To use the filter, simply slide it up the handle until it locks into place over the detector. Each individual PM160 power meter is calibrated to accurately convert the detected signal to the displayed power reading and a unit-specific calibration certificate is included. To ensure accurate measurements, we recommend recalibrating this power meter annually. Thorlabs offers the CAL-S130 recalibration service (listed below) for the photodiode in this power meter. Please contact Tech Support for recalibration information. Three taps compatible with 8-32 and M4 screws allow the power meter to be post mounted in a variety of orientations. The device is shipped with an externally SM05 (0.535"-40) threaded adapter plate that slides over either the filter housing or the end of the sensor arm and snaps into place. When the adapter plate is attached to the sliding ND filter, the entire assembly can still be moved up and down the sensor arm. The external SM05 threads allow other components, such as fiber connector adapters (see the table to the lower right), to be attached directly to the PM160. We recommend operating the PM160 wireless power meter in environments between 0 and 50 °C (32 to 122 °F). ![]() Included Components
The PM160T Wireless Power Meter consists of an ultra-slim thermal sensor connected to a portable power meter with a built-in graphical Organic LED (OLED) display. The Ø10 mm (Ø0.39") sensor is designed to detect optical powers between 100 µW and 2 W at wavelengths between 190 nm and 10.6 µm. The almost flat absorption curve of the detector, maximum power of 2 W, and wavelength range that extends into the MIR make the PM160T well suited for use with a wide variety of broadband and MIR light sources, including LEDs, SLDs, and MIR quantum cascade lasers. Each individual PM160T power meter is calibrated to accurately convert the detected signal to the displayed power reading and a unit-specific calibration certificate is included. To ensure accurate measurements, we recommend recalibrating this power meter annually. Thorlabs offers the CAL-S200 recalibration service (listed below) for the thermal sensor in this power meter. Please contact Tech Support for recalibration information. Three universal taps compatible with 8-32 and M4 screws allow the power meter to be post mounted in a variety of orientations. The device is shipped with an externally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded adapter plate with an MIR viewing target. This target is fabricated from thermochromic liquid crystal material and reacts to light from 1500 nm to over 13.2 µm. To install the adapter, place it over the sensor and secure it by tightening the setscrew with the included 0.9 mm (0.035") hex key. The external SM1 threads allow other components, such as fiber connector adapters (see the table to the lower right for recommendations), to be attached directly to the PM160T. We recommend operating this wireless power meter in environments between 0 and 50 °C (32 to 122 °F). ![]() Included Components
The PM160T-HP Wireless Power Meter consists of a slim thermal sensor connected to a portable power meter with a built-in graphical Organic LED (OLED) display. The Ø25.2 mm sensor is designed to detect optical powers between 10 mW and 70 W at wavelengths between 190 nm and 20 µm. The almost flat absorption curve of the detector, maximum power of 70 W, and wavelength range that extends into the MIR make the PM160T-HP well suited for use with a wide variety of broadband and MIR light sources, including LEDs, SLDs, and MIR quantum cascade lasers. Each individual PM160T-HP power meter is calibrated to accurately convert the detected signal to the displayed power reading and a unit-specific calibration certificate is included. To ensure accurate measurements, we recommend recalibrating this power meter annually. Thorlabs offers the CAL-S200 recalibration service (listed below) for the thermal sensor in this power meter. Please contact Tech Support for recalibration information. Three universal taps compatible with 8-32 and M4 screws allow the power meter to be post mounted in a variety of orientations. The device is shipped with an externally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded adapter. To install the adapter, screw it into the internal SM1 threads on the sensor housing. The external SM1 threads allow other components, such as fiber connector adapters (see the table to the lower right for recommendations), to be attached directly to the PM160T-HP. We recommend operating this wireless power meter in environments between 0 and 50 °C (32 to 122 °F). ![]()
Thorlabs offers recalibration services for our power meters. To ensure accurate measurements, we recommend recalibrating power meters annually. Please enter the Part # and Serial # of the product that requires calibration prior to selecting Add to Cart. Please Note: To ensure your item being returned for calibration is routed appropriately once it arrives at our facility, please do not ship it prior to being provided an RMA Number and return instructions by a member of our team. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|