Python-Driver-for-Thorlabs-power-meter

This is a Python class to control Thorlabs power meters. (Multiple meters are supported)

For Matlab wrapper, please go the following pages:

• GitHub Repository

• 

Link to a typical Thorlabs Power Meter.

Package Requirements

• Python
  • Version>=3.10
  • Package required: pythonnet

User Instructions

1. Download the Optical Power Monitor from the Thorlabs website. [The latest version is 4.0.4100.700 - Accessed on 01 SEP 2022]

2. Read the manual in the installation folder or the software help page.

3. Following the instructions in section 9: Write Your Own Application. The common path of the *.dll files on Windows is: C:\Program Files\IVI Foundation\VISA\VisaCom64\Primary Interop Assemblies

4. This scripts need only the .net wrapper dll so follow the instruction for C#/.Net.

5. Two ways of utilising the dynamic link library (*.dll) files provided by Thorlabs:

   1. Copy *.dll files needed to ''Thorlabs_DotNet_dll'' folder (e.g. Thorlabs.TLPM_64.Interop.dll).
   2. Provide a libraryPath when calling ThorlabsPowerMeter.listDevices() (e.g. ThorlabsPowerMeter.listDevices(libraryPath)). ["Thorlabs.TLPMX_64.Interop.dll" is not suitable for this program, please use "Thorlabs.TLPM_64.Interop.dll" only]

6. Connect your Power Meter with sensor to the PC USB port and power it on.

7. Please refer to the examples provided (In folder "Example")

For developers

1. The definition for all the classes can be found in the C# exmple provided by Thorlab. (Shipped together with the software.) [The typical path for x64 system is C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\WinNT\TLPM\Example]

Example Single Usage

import os
import pathlib
import sys
import glob

sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
sys.path.extend(glob.glob(f'{pathlib.Path(__file__).parents[0].resolve()}/*/**/', recursive=True))

from ThorlabsPowerMeter import ThorlabsPowerMeter
import time

if __name__=='__main__':
    _deviceList = ThorlabsPowerMeter.listDevices()
    logger=_deviceList.logger
    deviceA=_deviceList.connect(_deviceList.resourceName[0])
    deviceA.getSensorInfo()
    deviceA.setWaveLength(635);                              
    deviceA.setDispBrightness(0.3);                          
    deviceA.setAttenuation(0);                               
    deviceA.setPowerAutoRange(True);                            
    time.sleep(5)                                                    
    deviceA.setAverageTime(0.001)                           
    deviceA.setTimeoutValue(1000)                               
    #deviceA.darkAdjust() # PM400 ONLY                                   
    #deviceA.getDarkOffset() # PM400 ONLY                                
    for i in range(100):
        deviceA.updatePowerReading(0.1)
        logger.info(f'|{__name__}| {deviceA.meterPowerReading} {deviceA.meterPowerUnit}')
        #deviceA.updateVoltageReading(0.1)  # PM400 ONLY  
        #logger.info(f'|{__name__}| {deviceA.meterVoltageReading} {deviceA.meterVoltageUnit}')  # PM400 ONLY  
    logger.info(f'|{__name__}| Done')                       
    deviceA.disconnect()

Example Multiple Usage

import os
import pathlib
import sys
import glob

sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
sys.path.extend(glob.glob(f'{pathlib.Path(__file__).parents[0].resolve()}/*/**/', recursive=True))

from ThorlabsPowerMeter import ThorlabsPowerMeter
import time

if __name__=='__main__':
    _deviceList = ThorlabsPowerMeter.listDevices()
    logger=_deviceList.logger
    deviceA=_deviceList.connect(_deviceList.resourceName[0])
    deviceB=_deviceList.connect(_deviceList.resourceName[1])
    deviceA.getSensorInfo()
    deviceB.getSensorInfo()
    deviceA.setWaveLength(635) 
    deviceB.setWaveLength(780)                            
    deviceA.setDispBrightness(0.3) 
    deviceB.setDispBrightness(0.7)                          
    deviceA.setAttenuation(0)      
    deviceB.setAttenuation(10)                          
    deviceA.setPowerAutoRange(True)
    deviceB.setPowerAutoRange(False)                             
    time.sleep(5)                                                    
    deviceA.setAverageTime(0.001)
    deviceB.setAverageTime(0.01)                           
    deviceA.setTimeoutValue(1000)                             
    deviceB.setTimeoutValue(1000)                               
                             
    for i in range(100):
        deviceA.updatePowerReading(0.1)
        logger.info(f'|{__name__}| A: {deviceA.meterPowerReading} {deviceA.meterPowerUnit}')
        deviceB.updatePowerReading(0.1)
        logger.info(f'|{__name__}| B: {deviceB.meterPowerReading} {deviceB.meterPowerUnit}')
    logger.info(f'|{__name__}| Done')                          
    deviceA.disconnect()

Author Information

• Author: Zimo Zhao
• Dept. Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
• Email: zimo.zhao@eng.ox.ac.uk
• Website: https://eng.ox.ac.uk/smp/
• GitHub: https://github.com/Tinyblack/Python-Driver-for-Thorlabs-power-meter
• Reporting issues and bugs to my GitHub repository is more welcomed.

Initially Developed On

• Optical Power Monitor
  • Device: PM400
  • Application version: 3.1.3778.562
  • Driver version: TLPM__32 5.1.3754.327
• Python
  • 3.10.5 64-bit

Latest Test Pass On

• Optical Power Monitor
  • Device: PM400
  • Application version: 4.0.4100.700
  • Driver version: TLPMX__32 5.3.4101.525
• Python
  • 3.10.5 64-bit

Version History

1.00 ----- 03 Jan 2023 ----- Initial Release