Section 2.0 Overview - THORLABS MDT694 Operating Manual

Doc. No. 3005-D02 Revision A 5/30/00
! IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
The MDT694 can produce hazardous voltages and currents. Use CAUTION when operating the MDT694 and
handling the piezo actuators!
The piezo elements are electrical capacitors capable of storing electrical energy over long periods of time.
Besides storing charge from the MDT694, the piezo can accumulate static charge over time due to varying
storage temperature and/or mechanical loads.
To safely discharge a piezo, connect it to the MDT694 and set the output voltage to 0 volts
The MDT694 has no user serviceable parts. Service should be performed by trained service personnel only!

Section 2.0 Overview

The MDT694 is a precision, low-noise, low-drift, high voltage controller for piezo actuators. The MDT694 provides
both manual and external control of the piezo drive voltages. The MDT694 is an ideal driver for use with Thorlabs
Piezo Actuators including the PE4 and the AE-series piezo elements. Typical applications include remote alignment
of single-mode fiber couplers, remote positioning, Fabry-Perot etalons, etc.
The piezo drive voltage can be controlled manually as well as with an external modulating voltage. A precision 10-
turn potentiometer is provided for manual adjustment of the drive voltage over the full operating range. This allows a
hands-off control of the piezo to take full advantage of the inherently high resolution of the piezo element.
The drive voltage can also be controlled externally by applying an analog voltage (from 0 to 10V) to the front panel
BNC input. This voltage is multiplied by a gain of 15 V/V and summed with the manual control voltage. The external
control voltage can be supplied by any stable voltage source including function generators, DAC outputs, or DC
supplies. Also, the external voltage can be used as part of a feedback loop for automated alignment systems. Since
both the manual control and the external input voltage are summed, the manual control can be used for offset
adjustments without having to readjust the external voltage source.
The MDT694 has a front-panel mounted LED digital readout for monitoring the high-voltage output.
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