Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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LDLS™ Performance
1. What is the spectral range of LDLS?
The EQ-99X and EQ-77 covers the range from 170 nm to 2400 nm. Whereas the EQ-99XFC covers
the range from 190nm to 2400nm. This range is limited by the high purity synthetic quartz of the bulb and
output window.
• The spectral radiance (brightness) of the LDLS exceeds that of traditional Xe and Deuterium sources
across the UV-Vis-NIR spectral range as shown in Figure 1.
•The spectral radiance (brightness) of the LDLS exceeds that of traditional Tungsten sources across the
UV-Vis-NIR spectral range as shown in figure 2.
2. How much total optical power and brightness does the LDLS deliver?
LDLS sources are optimized for high brightness, rather than high power. The LDLS power is
radiated from a very small plasma spot, in the range of 100 um in size, and this provides a high
brightness (spectral radiance - mwatts/nm/mm²/sr), but modest power (watts). As a guide,
the outputs of the LDLS sources are as follows.
• Typically, the EQ-99X delivers spectral radiance (brightness) of about 10 mwatts/nm/mm²/sr
(depending on wavelength) and total power of approximately 0.5 watts, broadbａnd measured with a thermopile.
• Typically, the EQ-77 delivers spectral radiance (brightness) of about 40 mwatts/nm/mm²/sr
(depending on wavelength) and total power of approximately 2.0 watts, broadbａnd measured with a thermopile.
Fiber Coupling
3. What is the fiber connection of the EQ-99XFC and the EQ-99FC?
The EQ-99XFC system has an FC connection. A standard FC connector will interface with the
EQ-99XFC lamp house. It is strongly recommended to use the high-performance, output fiber
assembly provided by Energetiq with the EQ-99XFC. The output fiber assemblies are available
in FC to SMA terminations and FC to FC terminations in a variety of fiber core sizes.
The EQ-99FC system has an SMA, threaded female connection. A standard SMA 905 connector
will interface with the EQ-99FC lamp house. If another type connector is needed, typically a fiber
patch cable with SMA on one side and the desired connection on the other can be used.
High-performance, solarization resistant SMA 905 terminated cables are available from Energetiq.
4. How much power is delivered by the EQ-99XFC?
This depends on the chosen optical fiber size, the transmission characteristics of the particular fiber and
wavelength of interest. Typical output power is;
• 600 um core fiber, 0.22NA; ~200 mwatts (broadband)
• 455 um core fiber; 0.22NA; ~150 mwatts (broadband)
• 230 um core fiber, 0.22NA; ~70 mwatts (broadband)
• 115 um core fiber, 0.22NA; ~25 mwatts (broadband)
• 50 um core fiber,0.22NA; ~5 mwatts (broadband)
• 9 um core single mode fiber; ~40 μwatts (broadband)
5. How much spectral power is delivered by the EQ-99XFC?
This depends on the chosen optical fiber, wavelength range and the fiber characteristics.
Typical performance with a 230µm diameter, 0.22NA fiber is shown in the chart below;
For larger fiber diameters, the spectral power values from the chart can be multiplied by the following
factors: 230µm multiply by 1; 450µm multiply by ~2; 600µm multiply by ~2.25.
6. For the EQ-99X and EQ-99XFC, is there a limit on the laser fiber length
between the power supply and the lamp house?
The standard fiber length is 1 meter. Currently, a longer fiber is not available.
7. Is there a limit on the output fiber length from the lamp house to the application?
Energetiq offers high performance, solarization resistant output fibers in a choice of diameters,
and a choice of 1 meter and 2 meter lengths. Since even the best optical fibers absorb light in
the deep UV, it is recommended to use the shortest fiber length possible to maximize the potential of the LDLS.
Stability
8. What is the spatial stability of the plasma in the LDLS?
The position of the plasma is very precisely positioned in space by the focal point of the drive laser.
The standard deviation of the plasma light intensity 'center of mass' position is less than 0.5 um in the x,
y or z position. This is measured capturing 2500 images at 200 frames per second.
9. What is the long term drift of the LDLS?
Long Term Stability (Drift): This is dominated by the Lamp House Temperature Coefficient, which is
approximately 0.3%/deg C. This temperature coefficient will dominate any other system drift in the timescale of hours..
Energetiq recommends a warm-up time of approximately 30 minutes before making measurements,
to ensure that the LDLS system has reached thermal equilibrium. The actual warm-up time for a particular
application may be longer or shorter depending on the precision of measurements to be made.
Lifetime
10. How does the output power change as the bulb ages?
The broadbａnd output power reduces over time at approximately 1%-2% per 1000 hours of bulb life.
11. How long is the bulb life?
• The typical bulb life of the EQ-99 X-Series and EQ-99 Series is greater than 9,000 hours.
• The typical bulb life of the EQ-77 is greater than 9,000 hours.
LDLS Technology
12. How much laser power is used to drive the LDLS?
• The EQ-99X and EQ-99XFC use a laser diode module with a total power of about 20 watts.
• The EQ-77 uses a laser diode module with a total power of about 50 watts.
13. What laser wavelength is used in the LDLS Products?
• The LDLS products use laser diode modules with wavelength of approximately 1μm
14. What is the difference between the EQ-99 Series
LDLS and the EQ-99 X-Series LDLS?
The EQ-99 X-Series uses the same technology as the EQ-99 Series; however the X-Series
offers ultraclean construction for greater long-term stability and longer operating life.
• The EQ-99X-FC features Fiber Protection Technology to improve long-term deep ultraviolet
output by an order of magnitude, as well as an FC connector on the lamphouse for improved
repeatability in fiber connection.
• The X-series product line includes the EQ-99X and the EQ-99XFC.
Optical Considerations
15. What is the plasma size of the LDLS?
• The EQ-99X has a FWHM (Full Width-Half Maximum) plasma size of typically 60 μm x 140 μm
• The EQ-77 has a FWHM (Full Width-Half Maximum) plasma size of typically 135 μm x 320 μm
16. What is the output beam configuration of the LDLS?
• The EQ-99X is a point source system with a diverging beam with a Numerical Aperture (NA)
of 0.47 for coupling of free space-optics.
• The EQ-77 is a point source system with a diverging beam with a Numerical Aperture (NA) of 0.5 for
coupling of free-space optics.
• Both the EQ-99X and EQ-77 are available with coupling optic accessories based on OAPs (Off- Axis Parabolic)
Mirrors which can deliver the light into, for example, the slits of a monochromator or spectrometer.
• Choices of focal length are available for these coupling accessories in order to make the most efficient
optical coupling from the LDLS to the application.
• The EQ-99XFC has a fiber coupled output with NA of 0.22
17. What OAP configuration is needed for coupling the
LDLS into a spectrometer or monochromator?
The EQ-99X and EQ-77 have four different OAP options. Please note that the Numerical Aperture (NA) of the
OAP assembly should be slightly less than the entrance NA of the monochromator or spectrometer. Whereas
the f/# of the OAP assembly should be slightly larger than the f/# of the entrance to the system, to allow for
efficient coupling into the system.
• Use the chart below to match the entrance f/# or NA of your system with the appropriate OAP Mirror Assembly.
• Magnification is based on an OAP pair with 2” EFL OAP as the collecting mirror and
the second OAP (listed above) as the focusing mirror.
Set-up
18. What is the EQ-99X lamp house temperature?
In normal operation in a typical lab, the EQ-99X and EQ-99XFC lamp houses reach about 55
degrees Celsius. The particular temperature of the lamp house depends on how and where the
lamp house is mounted: in a warm lab or in an enclosure the lamp house will be hotter. Mounting
the EQ-99 on an optical table, where the metal table acts to some extent as a heat sink, will cause
the lamp house to run at a lower temperature than the equivalent temperature when mounted in free-air.
19. When do I need to purge the LDLS with dry nitrogen?
LDLS products produce significant amounts of deep UV light. Light below 200 nm produces ozone in the presence
of oxygen, and the ozone produced has an absorption bａnd in the 240-270 nm range. To use light from the LDLS in
the 170 to 270 nm range, the system should be purged with clean dry nitrogen. Purging with dry nitrogen also reduced
the possibility of photo-contamination of the bulb from trace organic vapors present in room air.
20. What pressure is needed for the dry nitrogen purge?
For nitrogen purging grade 6 or better gas purity is recommended to maintain cleanliness of the optics,
ａnd gas should be filtered to <5um. Supply pressure should be 20psig (0.14 MPa). With a 20 psig inlet
pressure, the EQ-99X and EQ-99 will consume approximately 1 slm of flow. There is no return fitting for
the purge nitrogen. The purge flow normally escapes within the lamp house enclosure, and then to the atmosphere.
21. Can you purge with other gases besides nitrogen?
• No, only clean, dry nitrogen can be used to purge the LDLS systems.
22. Can you put a vacuum on the lamp house instead of purging with nitrogen?
• No. The LDLS systems will not hold vacuum and connecting to a vacuum may cause damage to the optics.
23. What is the LDLS warm-up time?
Energetiq recommends a warm up time of approximately 30 minutes before making measurements, to ensure that the
LDLS system has reached thermal equilibrium. The actual warm-up time for a particular application may be longer or
shorter depending on the precision of measurements to be made.
24. What is the proper orientation of the EQ-99X or EQ-99XFC lamp house?
• The EQ-99X and EQ-99XFC lamp house should only be mounted so that the label that contains the
serial number is facing downward.
• This is particularly important for the EQ-99XFC which must be mounted with the output fiber optic
connection on top (serial number on the bottom). The plasma moves slightly depending on gravity
ａnd the precision ellipsoidal coupling optic in the EQ-99XFC is adjusted at the factory to optimize
output in that particular orientation.
• The EQ-99X and EQ-99XFC exhibit the highest spatial and temporal stability when mounted in the
recommended orientation.
25. Can the LDLS lamp houses be mounted in other orientations?
• We strongly recommend that the EQ-99X, EQ-99, EQ-99XFC, EQ-99FC & EQ-77 only be mounted
in the recommended orientation.
• If for optical reasons it would be desirable to have the optical output in a different orientation, please
contact the Energetiq Applications Team to discuss ways that this might be achieved.
Note
Performance measures mentioned in this list of Frequently Asked Questions are typical values
for guidance in the selection and use of LDLS products. They are not to be taken as specifications.
Please contact Energetiq for further details: info
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