SM1-Threaded Adapter
for the PM160T
Sliding Neutral
Density Filter
PM160T
Power Meter with High-Sensitivity Thermal Sensor
PM160 Photodiode Sensor
and Power Meter with Built-In
OLED Display
Sensor Arm
Rotates 270°
PM160T-HP
Power Meter with High-Power Thermal Sensor
SM1-Threaded Adapter for the PM160T-HP
Wireless Handheld Power Meter Selection Guide | |||
---|---|---|---|
Item # | PM160 | PM160T | PM160T-HP |
Sensor | Photodiode | Thermal | Thermal |
Wavelength Range | 400 - 1100 nm | 190 nm - 10.6 µm | 190 nm - 20 µm |
Power Detection | 10 nW - 2 mWa | 100 µW - 2 W | 10 mW - 70 Wb |
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.
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.
Power Meter Selection Guide |
---|
Sensors |
Photodiode Power Sensors |
Thermal Power Sensors |
Thermal Position & Power Sensors |
Pyroelectric Energy Sensors |
Power Meter Consoles and Interfaces |
Digital Handheld Console |
Analog Handheld Console |
Touchscreen Handheld Console |
Dual-Channel Benchtop Console |
USB Interfaces with External Readout |
Complete Power Meters |
Power Meter Bundles |
Wireless Power Meters with Sensors |
Compact USB Power Meters |
Field Power Meters for Terminated Fibers |
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
Recalibration services are available for our handheld power meters. To order this service, scroll to the bottom of the page and select the appropriate recalibration service Item # that corresponds to your power meter.
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.
Item # | PM160 | PM160T | PM160T-HP |
---|---|---|---|
Sensor Properties | |||
Wavelength Range | 400 nm – 1100 nm | 190 nm - 10.6 µm | 190 nm - 20 µm |
Optical Power Measurement Range | 10 nW – 2 mW (1 µW to 200 mW with Filter) |
100 µW – 2 W | 10 mW - 70 Wa |
Optical Power Resolution | 100 pW (10 nW with Filter) |
10 µW | 1 mW |
Measurement Uncertainty | ±3% (451 nm - 1000 nm) ±5% (Over Rest of Range) |
±3% (@ 1064 nm) ±5% (Entire Range) |
±3% (@ 1064 nm) ±5% (250 nm to 17 µm) |
Power Linearity | ±1% | ||
Active Area Uniformity | ±1% | ||
Slideable Optical Filter | Reflective ND (OD 1.5) with Diffuser | N/A | N/A |
Average Power Density (Max)b | 1 W/cm² (20 W/cm² with Filter) |
500 W/cm² | 2 kW/cm² |
Sensor Aperture | Ø9.5 mm (Ø0.37") | Ø10 mm (Ø0.39") | Ø25.2 mm (Ø0.99") |
Sensor Coating | None | Black Broadband | High Power Broadband |
Power Meter | |||
Built-In Display | Monochrome White OLED; 24.0 mm (0.95") Across Diagonal, 96 pixels x 64 pixels (10 Hz Refresh Rate) | ||
Local Operation | 4 Push Buttons | ||
Analog Measurement Rangesc | 500 nA, 50 µA, 5 mA | 1.6 mV, 25 mV, 400 mV | 2.56 mV, 16 mV, 100 mV |
AD Converter | 24 Bit | ||
Analog Amplifier Bandwidth | 10 Hz | ||
Remote Interface | USB 2.0, Bluetooth (Class II) | ||
Power Supply | External: 5 V DC via USB; Internal: LiPo+ 380 mAhd | ||
Battery-Powered Operation | Up to 20 Hours | ||
Dimensions | |||
Thickness of Sensor End w/o Filter | 3.5 mm | 5.5 mm | 13.0 mm |
Thickness of Sensor End w/ Filter | 6.0 mm | N/A | N/A |
Distance to Sensor from Front Surface of Housing | 1.7 mm (4.2 mm with Filter) | 2.6 mm | 4.5 mm |
Overall Dimensions | 172.7 mm x 36.4 mm x 13.0 mm (6.80" x 1.43" x 0.51") |
172.7 mm x 36.4 mm x 13.0 mm (6.80" x 1.43" x 0.51") |
206.0 mm x 56.0 mm x 13.0 mm (8.1" x 2.2" x 0.51") |
Weight | 60 g | 60 g | 130 g |
Mounting | |||
Adapter Plate Aperture Thread | External SM05 (0.535"-40) | External SM1 (1.035"-40) | Internal SM1 (1.035"-40)e |
Mounting Holes | 8-32 and M4 Tap, 3 Positions | 8-32 and M4 Tap, 3 Positions | 8-32 and M4 Tap, 3 Positions 4x 4-40 Tapped Holes on Back of Sensor for Ø6 mm Cage Rods |
Operating Temperature | 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F) |
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.
The 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.
Users interested in the legacy Power Meter Software can find it by visiting the software page.
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. The PM103 Series Power and Energy Meters are only compatible with version 3.0 or later. The PM5020 Console is only compatible with version 4.0 or later. The PM60 and PM61 Power Meter Series are only compatible with version 6.0 or later.
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 PM61 Series, PM160, PM160T, and PM160T-HP power meters are equipped with Bluetooth® connections.
Determining 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 is 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.
Equations: |
||||
and | ||||
Peak power and average power calculated from each other: |
||||
and | ||||
Peak power calculated from average power and duty cycle*: | ||||
*Duty cycle () is the fraction of time during which there is laser pulse emission. |
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.
Parameter | Symbol | Units | Description | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pulse Energy | E | Joules [J] | A measure of one pulse's total emission, which is the only light emitted by the laser over the entire period. The pulse energy equals the shaded area, which is equivalent to the area covered by diagonal hash marks. | ||
Period | Δt | Seconds [s] | The amount of time between the start of one pulse and the start of the next. | ||
Average Power | Pavg | Watts [W] | The height on the optical power axis, if the energy emitted by the pulse were uniformly spread over the entire period. | ||
Instantaneous Power | P | Watts [W] | The optical power at a single, specific point in time. | ||
Peak Power | Ppeak | Watts [W] | The maximum instantaneous optical power output by the laser. | ||
Pulse Width | Seconds [s] | A measure of the time between the beginning and end of the pulse, typically based on the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the pulse shape. Also called pulse duration. | |||
Repetition Rate | frep | Hertz [Hz] | The frequency with which pulses are emitted. Equal to the reciprocal of the period. |
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.
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. Recalibration can be ordered using Item # CAL-PD2 below.
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).
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
PM160 | Si Sensor Power Meter with Bluetooth and USB Operation, 400 - 1100 nm, 10 nW - 200 mW | $1,348.30 | Lead Time |
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. Recalibration can be ordered using Item # CAL-THPY below.
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).
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
PM160T | Thermal Sensor Power Meter with Bluetooth and USB Operation, 190 nm to 10.6 µm, 100 µW to 2 W | $1,361.36 | 3 Weeks |
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. Recalibration can be ordered using Item # CAL-THPY below.
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).
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
PM160T-HP | Thermal Sensor Power Meter with Bluetooth and USB Operation, 190 nm to 20 µm, 10 mW to 70 W | $1,455.78 | Today |
Calibration Service Item # | Compatible Power Meter |
---|---|
CAL-PD2 | PM160 |
CAL-THPY | PM160T, PM160T-HP |
Thorlabs offers recalibration services for our wireless power meters. To ensure accurate measurements, we recommend recalibrating power meters annually.
Refer to the table to the right for the appropriate calibration service Item # that corresponds to your power meter.
Requesting a Calibration
Thorlabs provides two options for requesting a calibration:
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.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
CAL-PD2 | Recalibration Service for Dual-Power-Range Silicon Photodiode Power Sensors | $194.83 | Lead Time |
CAL-THPY | Recalibration Service for Thermal Power and Pyroelectric Energy Sensors at 1064 nm | $212.62 | Lead Time |