ShadesofGray Advanced Laser Control Information

//laser1:com4 //laser2:com5 //spectro:com3 //SO THAT Hitachi camera can be com1

//***********************************Important Auxiliary WAVES***********************: //L1_operatingCurrent	--determined by spectra physics intervention //L1_operatingTemperature	-- determined by spectraphysics intervention //L1_currentLimit	-- = operating Current +2Amp //L2_operatingCurrent	--determined by spectra physics intervention //L2_operatingTemperature	-- determined by spectraphysics intervention //L2_currentLimit	-- = operating Current +2Amp //these waves are all LOCKED, so that the user cannot change them accidentally //to LOCK waves, type in command line: //SetWaveLock 1, L1_operatingCurrent, L1_operatingTemperature, L1_currentLimit //SetWaveLock 1, L2_operatingCurrent, L2_operatingTemperature, L2_currentLimit //to UNLOCK these waves (e. g. to change operating current after recalibration by spectraphysics): //SetWaveLock 0, L1_operatingCurrent, L1_operatingTemperature, L1_currentLimit //SetWaveLock 0, L2_operatingCurrent, L2_operatingTemperature, L2_currentLimit

There are several commands and queries that can be made to the lasers that are not represented in the lasercontrol panel (pink). These generally involve asking for specific information about the lasers (e.g. hours of operation) or controlling quite specific laser functions (e.g. diode temperature, which is now controlled automatically, but could be controlled manually.)

For more information on this, see chapter7 in the INAZUMA laser manual. [which should probably accompany this manual] Communications parameters are on page 7-2; Commands are listed in Table 7-2 on pages 7-3 through 7-5;  Queries are listed in Table 7-3  on pages 7-5 through 7-10.

To use any of these commands or queries (EXCEPT CONFIG) use the vdt2 terminal: Open the terminal window from the menus: Misc:VDT2:Open VDT2 Window Open the settings window from the menus: Misc:VDT2:VDT2 Settings ....

In the settings you need to adjust: 1.	Port: 	COM1 == laser1
 * COM3 == laser2
 * this could change -- check the cable path from the lasers to be sure; or check which laser actually comes on from "Lasercontrls" vs "Laser2Controls"

2. 	Check "Use this port for terminal operations" 3. 	Set Local Echo ON

Normally, the other communications parameters are correct because they are initialized by the LaserControlPanels.

IF you have trouble, consider consulting page 7-2 of the inazuma manual and check that the settings are: baud rate == 115200; datalength == 8; Stop bits == 1; Parity == None; Local Echo == On; Input Handshaking == None; Output Handshaking == None; Input buffer size == 4096 (default??); Terminal EOL== CR

Now you may type commands and queries directly in the VDT2 window. Responses from the lasers will be printed in the VDT window. Commands are not case sensitive.

IF you want to use the command config. You have two choices: 1. increase the Input buffer size  in the settings window (10000 is more than enough). then type directly in the VDT window "Config1" or "config2". If you do not increase the size of the buffer, it will be filled and there will appear to be no response to the command.

2. run the command line config function. type config("laser1") or config("laser2") into the command line. the textwaves config1 and config2 in the data folder root:LaserANDSpectrometer: will be updated with the results of the config commands. config1 is the settings and data for the master; config2 is the settings and data for the Slave.

Using the LaserControlPanels to operate or adjust the laser overwrites the VDT settings in order to communicate with the laser. You will therefore need to reset the settings (Port; "Use this port for terminal operations", and Local Echo ON) even if the VDT2 window is still open. It is good practice to close the VDT2 window when you are finished.