Thorlabs PM400 Optical Power and Energy Meter Operating Manual

The PM400 manual explains setup, operation, measurement screens, computer interface and maintenance for Thorlabs' handheld optical power and energy meter.


Thorlabs PM400 Optical Power and Energy Meter Operating Manual - cover page
Brand
THORLABS
Category
Other Electronics
Document type
User Manual
Language
English
Pages
58
File format
PDF
File size
3.8 MB
Published
03 October, 2026
Updated
03 October, 2026
MD5 checksum
589B8BFF4F4C32F36E760851268D26F7

About this manual

The Thorlabs PM400 is a handheld optical power and energy meter designed for laser and other monochromatic light sources, as well as pulsed light. It supports a range of Thorlabs C‑Series photodiode, thermal and pyroelectric sensors and provides a capacitive touchscreen with multiple measurement displays.

The manual covers general information, unpacking, parts list, detailed operating instructions, measurement configuration, spectral correction, data handling, computer interface with the Optical Power Monitor software, and maintenance procedures. Safety, technical data, warranty and contact information are provided in the appendix.

What's inside

  • General Information
  • Getting Started
  • Operating Instruction
  • Measurement Screens
  • Computer Interface
  • Maintenance and Service
  • Technical Data
  • Safety
  • Warranty

Specifications

Display Type4.3" TFT, WQVGA, 400 x 272 Pixels, 16‑bit Color
Measurement Ranges6 Decades; 50 nA – 5 mA
Accuracy±0.2% f.s. (5 µA – 5 mA)
BandwidthDC – 100 kHz (sensor dependent)
AD Converter16‑bit
Current Input ConnectorDE‑9

Frequently asked questions

How long should the battery be charged for first use?

Charge the battery for 4 hours before first use.

Which sensors are compatible with the PM400?

The PM400 works with Thorlabs C‑Series photodiode, thermal power, thermal position, and pyroelectric sensors, as well as custom detectors.

What is the warranty period for the PM400?

Thorlabs provides a 24‑month warranty from the date of shipment.

What software can be used to control the PM400 from a PC?

The Optical Power Monitor (OPM) software, including drivers and LabVIEW/C examples, can be used for remote operation.

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