TLS120Xe High Power Tuneable Light Source (280 nm

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The TLS120Xe is an easy to use and versatile high-powered source of stable monochromatic and dimmable white light. The output wavelength can be set with an intuitive user interface or over a simple USB protocol to any wavelength within a broad spectral range between 280 nm and 1100 nm.

Available with a variety of output optics and bandwidths, this compact solution easily fits into a wide range of applications in spectroscopy and spectrophotometry and delivers superlative stability and continuous tuning over its full spectral range.

Applications

The TLS120Xe is suited to a wide range of materials and photodetector characterisation applications in research, industry and OEM, including:

Fluorescence imaging
Photoluminescence / fluorimeter excitation
Detector responsivity / QE evaluation
Reflectance and transmittance analysis
Thin film deposition monitoring
Microscopy
CCD / CMOS camera testing

Compact Precision and Power

The TLS120Xe brings together the multiple domains of excellence learnt developing Bentham products into a single, compact form factor.

Precision

The wavelength selection mechanism is tried-and-tested. It utilises the same technology as is available in our top-line monochromators, offering incredibly precise and accurate positioning of the internal diffraction grating.
Stability

The power supply driving the lamp is the same technology as available in our 610 constant current power supply, which allows us to leverage its low noise and excellent stability.
Flexibility

Spectrum: The broad spectral range of the TLS120Xe extends beyond the visible into both the ultraviolet and infrared, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Bandwidth: In addition to its broad spectral range, the TLS120Xe features user-replaceable slits. These allow the bandwidth and output power of the device to be tuned for your particular application.

Output optics: The TLS120Xe can be ordered with a variety of liquid light guides, fibres, and adapters for different output optics. The user can switch between these on the fly. Do you need a special adapter for your optic? Let us know!
Servicability

Care has been taken to ensure that the most frequent service tasks can be performed by the customer. The xenon lamps are user replaceable, and bulb alignment is easily achieved by using the TLS120Xe's built-in feedback photodiode, the output of which is displayed live on the TLS's screen.
Controllability

Real-Time User Interface

The easiest way to use the TLS120Xe is via the intuitive built-in control interface: start to turn the wavelength dial, the screen updates live with the new target, and the TLS begins to reconfigure itself immediately... and stands a good chance of having reached the correct wavelength before you can even take your hand off the dial. This intuitiveness and responsiveness combined gives the TLS120Xe a pleasant user experience.

Remote Interface

If you want to automate your testing or integrate the light source into a bigger system, the TLS120Xe has a simple USB text-based remote interface compatible with any modern computer and operating system, without drivers. The protocol is based on the widely-used SCPI syntax.

We also provide development tools and libraries including Windows SDK and terminal, and a cross-platform python package (bendev).

Details

User Experience

The TLS120Xe features a highly intuitive user interface, consisting of a screen that shows the current peak wavelength and bandwidth, and a dial by which the wavelength can be adjusted. The wavelength dial is programmed with acceleration curves commonly used in computer mice, which allows a fast turn to traverse hundreds of nanometers, while slow turns allow very precise control of the target wavelength. The screen keeps you up to date with the current target, and the TLS moves its grating while you turn the dial, making for a very responsive experience.

A useful additional feature is the ability to switch to white-light mode. This functionality is also easily accessible via this wavelength dial -- if you turn it downwards beyond the lowest wavelength attainable, the TLS transitions to its white-light output mode where the required intensity of white light can be selected.

Output Optics

The TLS120Xe can be ordered with different output fibres or light guides, but this does not restrict you to using this optic. Interchangeable output adapters are available making it quick and easy to switch between different types of fibres and light guides, and custom adaptors are usually simple to manufacture. If your requirements are not listed let us know!

Internal Optics

A view of the TLS120Xe internals illustrating the system geometry. The light from the Xenon lamp is focussed on a slit (not shown) in a slit well by the parabolic reflector, dispersed and focused on the second slit (not shown) by the convex holographic grating. The beam passes through a order-sorting filter wheel and is coupled into whatever output optic is available.

The TLS120Xe contains a high-powered xenon light source in an ellipsoidal reflector that illuminates a concave holographic diffraction grating mounted on a precision angular stage. The white light from the light source is split into its component wavelengths by the diffraction grating. An output slit selects a range of these wavelengths. Unwanted light from higher diffractive orders is removed by means of order sorting filters mounted on a rotating filter wheel, which also functions as a shutter.

Monitor Photodiode

To optimise the xenon lamp alignment after fitting a new bulb, the TLS120Xe features a photodetector with external SMA thread, by connecting the output SMA cable to the built-in photodetector, the positioning of the bulb can be optimised by measuring the light emitted at the end of the output fibre. The photocurrent is shown on the display... or it can be read via USB!

TLS120Xe without casing, showing the optical cavity including the adjustable lamp mount, parabolic reflector, grating, order sorting filter wheel and output optic.

Electronics

Mains electricity enters the TLS120Xe through a filtered IEC mains socket on the rear, which powers a 300 W switch mode power supply. This provides power to all the internal components, which include precision motor drivers, lamp power supply and an ARM-based control board which handles the high-level communications with the user and steers the electronics.

The lamp is powered by a dedicated constant-current power supply, the same type found in our 610 Current Stabilised Power Supplies, that provides extremely smooth, stable power to the xenon lamp. The ignition of the xenon lamp arc requires a short pulse of 30 kV. The electronics to create this pulse are located in the electromagnetically shielded optical cavity to prevent interference.

Software Control

The TLS120Xe is a smart device that contains all of its calibration data, as well as the algorithms and calculations required to reconfigure itself for a certain wavelength, so minimal work is required externally. To further simplify the control scheme:

The USB device class is HID, which does not require drivers in any modern operating system, as it is the same class of device used by keyboards and mice.
The command protocol consists of SCPI-style text-based commands that are very readable. For instance, you can turn your lamp on with the command "LAMP ON". For all the available commands, please see the TLS120Xe communication manual.
No Bentham software is required on the host computer, but we do provide some software to simplify things. For instance, we publish a crossplatform Python package bendev, which is open source, available with the permissive MIT license, and can be installed with "pip install bendev". A windows SDK with a simple control library and a terminal is also available.

Specifications

Output Power

Varies by selected wavelength, lamp, slit, and output optic. See configuration page.

Light Source

Primary Source Type	Short-arc OFR Xenon lamp
Drive mode	Constant current
Coupling	Ellipsoidal reflector, 60 mm diameter

Optomechanics

Grating mount	Single grating on-axis turret
Grating type	Concave blazed holographic
Grating line density	1200 grooves per mm
Nominal blaze wavelength	380 nm
Slit type	Fixed
Drive type	Stepper motor
Wavelength accuracy	± 0.1 nm mechanical capability, source features affect accuracy
Drive resolution	0.5 arcsec per step
Maximum drive speed	115° per sec
Switching speed	<10 ms for 100 nm

Optical Layout

Configuration	Constant Deviation Angle
Focal length	120 mm effective

Local Control

Display	Wavelength, bandwidth, current stability, burn time
Controls	Wavelength, output, mains power (normal mode); white light intensity (dimming mode)

Remote Control

Interface	USB2.0
USB device class	HID
Software Control	SCPI over USB, terminal, SDK, python scripting. Compatible with BenWin+
PC Host compatibility	Windows, Linux, Mac OS

Optical Performance

Wavelength range	280 nm - 1100 nm
Wavelength step	0.0035 nm
Wavelength accuracy	bandwidth dependent due to Xenon source spectrum
Bandwidth at FWHM with 0.74 mm slit	5 nm
Bandwidth at FWHM with 1.48 mm slit	10 nm
Bandwidth at FWHM with 2.96 mm slit	20 nm
Bandwidth at FWHM with 5.92 mm slit	40 nm

Mechanical

Length	300 mm
Width	460 mm
Height	185 mm
Weight	8.8 kg
Orientations	Horizontal only

Electrical

Mains Voltage	100 V – 240 V AC
Mains Frequency	50 Hz – 60 Hz
Line fuse	5 A slow blow (rated for 250 V AC)
Mains supply voltage fluctuations	up to 10% of nominal voltage
Transient voltages	up to overvoltage category 2

Environmental Requirements

Operating temperature range	5 °C - 40 °C
Operating humidity range	Maximum relative humidity 80 % for temperatures up to 31 °C decreasing linearly to 50 % relative humidity at 40 °C
Altitude	< 2000 m
Environment pollution category	Category 2

Optical Radiation Hazards

Designation	Warning	User Information
Actinic UV	WARNING: UV emitted from this product.	Avoid eye and skin exposure to unshielded product
Near UV	NOTICE: UV emitted from this product.	Minimise exposure to eyes. Use appropriate shielding
Blue light	CAUTION:Possibly hazardous optical radiation emitted from this product.	Do not stare at operating lamp. May be harmful to the eyes.
Infrared eye	NOTICE: IR emitted from this product.	Use appropriate shielding or eye protection.

Other Hazards

Internal hazards	Place in safe state before opening. Consult user manual.
Other Hazards	Consult user manual before use.

Compliance with EU Council Directives

Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive	2014/30/EU
Low Voltage Directive	2014/35/EU

Compliance with harmonised standards

Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use. EMC requirements - General requirements	EN61326-1:2013
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Limits. Limits for harmonic current emissions (equipment input current ≤16 A per phase)	EN61000-3-2:2014
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Limits. Limitation of voltage changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker in public low-voltage supply systems, for equipment with rated current ≤ 16 A per phase and not subject to conditional connection	EN61000-3-3:2013
Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use - General requirements	EN61010-1:2010+A1:2016

TLS120Xe Configuration Options

There are three main aspects of the TLS120Xe that are configurable:

The primary xenon light source determines the overall maximum output power of the TLS120Xe. The main difference between the two light choices available is that the higher power one has a much sharper cathode, resulting in a smaller plasma source which can be more efficiently be coupled into output optics. This results in significant brightness gains but reduced lifetime. Since the TLS120Xe is configured to provide the current specific to these light bulbs, changing between them is not a trivial operation. For this reason, the choice of light bulb determines the exact model of TLS120Xe to order.
The bandwidth is set by the slit widths, and the user can swap between slits of different widths. The trade-off between wide and narrow slits are primarily output power and bandwidth, but wide bandwidth slits also let through more of the xenon source's spectral features.
The output optic is something the user can easily swap if the correct adapters are to hand. The trade-off between the various available options is spectral range, throughput, and cost.

Main Configuration

TLS120Xe main configurations

Xenon Lamp	Optimised for	Drive Current	Lamp lifetime	TLS120Xe Part #
75 W	long life	5.4 A	3000 hours (typical)	TLS120Xe-75W
100 W	brightness	7.0 A	500 hours (typical)	TLS120Xe-100W

Bandwidth and Wavelength accuracy

The bandwidth of light emitted by the TLS120Xe can be managed by chosing particular slit widths. While narrower slits select a narrower spectral region, wider slits allow more of the spectrum to pass through. Having wider slits increases the overall output brightness.

The cost of wider slits is that a broader spectral range of the source light is allowed to pass through the device, complete with the spectral features that are present in the source. This means that both the peak wavelength and bandwidth may be different from the expected values.

For narrow slits, the spectral filtering of the slits dominate the output spectral shape resulting in a well-defined peak:

lower output power
highest wavelength accuracy
most accurate bandwidth
overall intensity varies strongly with xenon spectral features in regions with sharp emission peaks

For wide slits, the spectral features of xenon may dominate the output spectral shape resulting in a bright but uneven peak:

higher output power
lower wavelength accuracy
bandwidth less well-defined
less overall variation in intensity

Output power as a function of selected wavelength for 4 slit sizes. (100 W bulb, ⌀ 1.5 mm 0.39 NA High OH SMA fibre.)

Spectral power as a function of selected wavelength for 4 slit sizes. Wider slits show more of the underlying Xenon spectrum. The 900 nm central wavelength graph was chosen as a particularly feature-rich region. (100 W bulb, ⌀ 1.5mm 0.39 NA High OH SMA fibre)

Bandwidth Options

Nominal Bandwidth	Slit Width	Order Code
5 nm nominal	0.74 mm	SA-FSP(0.74)
10 nm nominal	1.45 mm	SA-FSP(1.45)
20 nm nominal	2.90 mm	SA-FSP(2.9)
40 nm nominal	5.92 mm	SA-FSP(5.92)
others available		Contact us!

Output Optics

The choice of output optics is generally motivated by application requirements, wavelength range, and cost. Generally wider optics are easier to couple light into, resulting in intensity gains. Output optics with different connectors require different output couplers, but these are user-swappable.

Output optic options

Output optic	Wavelength Range	Length	Diameter	Part #	output coupler	Monitor port adapter #
SMA fibre	250 nm – 1200 nm	1 m	1.5 mm	SMA-1500-1000	45937	–
UV grade fused silica fibre bundle	200 nm – 1350 nm	1 m	4 mm	FIBRE-UV-4-4-1000	45936	46888
Liquid light guide	280 nm – 700 nm	1 m	3 mm	LLG-3-1000	45935	46915
Your own SMA fibre					45937	–
Other optic					contact us	contact us

Spares

Spare bulbs are available from Bentham or from their respective manufacturers. Each TLS120Xe ships with its output current matched to the particular bulb type that it ships with. Do not fit a bulb requiring a different current.

Spare Bulbs

TLS120Xe Part #	Xenon Lamp	Lamp Part #
TLS120Xe-75W	Long Life	19589
TLS120Xe-100W	High Power	19719

Dimensions

Dimensions
Width	462 mm
Height	184 mm
Depth	300 mm
Additional rear clearance required	100 mm
Weight	8.8 kg
Orientations	Horizontal only

Measurement

Choose from the subtopics on the left to learn more about the output of the TLS120Xe in various configurations, including a comparison between and overviews of the 75W and 100W models, as well as individual output plots including, at various bandwidths:

the spectral power (mW/nm as a function of wavelength) at a variety of target wavelengths
the integrated output power at each target wavelength (the total power emitted for each individual wavelength target).