1. Launching the Laser into an Optical Fibre n To launch a laser into an optical fibre, proceed as follows.

2. Remove the Shutter

3. Rotate the Filters n Set 100%, all lines. n Switch the laser on and let it warm for about 20 minutes n Select high power.

4. Measure the Laser Power with the Fibre Removed

5. Insert the Fibre Alignment Tool in the 4 Axis Manipulator

6. Fibre Alignment Tool

7. The 4 Axis Manipulator n The manipulator has four adjustment screws and one spring tipped locking screw

8. The Locking Screw is Underneath when the Manipulator is Installed

9. Pass the Tool Under the Front Adjuster screws

10. Over the Locking Screw

11. Finally Under the Rear Adjuster screws

12. The Fibre Launch Tool in Place

13. First get the beam to pass centrally through the alignment tool

14. As the beam passes through the tool it may look like this n Note the glow to the right

15. It looks like this when the 4 axis manipulator is properly adjusted n Now the glow is symmetrical

16. If the pinhole is at this end of the tool

17. Adjust these Screws

18. If the pinhole is at this end of the tool

19. Adjust these Screws

20. Now insert the fibre n The fibre is polarisation preserving. n The mark on the Knurling must face up (12:00 o’clock).

21. Fibre Correctly Installed

22. At First the Spot will be Dim

23. Adjust each Screw in turn to Brighten the Spot n Adjust the screws one at a time. n Do not persist too long at this stage.

24. Monitor the Power out of the Fibre

25. Maximise the Power from the Fibre by “Walking the Beam”

26. This is done by adjusting the four axis manipulator screws in pairs

27. This is one pair

28. This is the Other Pair

29. Rotate one screw so the power falls slightly from Maximum n Remember which way the screw is rotated

30. Then adjust its partner to restore the power

31. If the power has increased overall, continue the process until improvement ceases

32. Otherwise, reverse the direction of rotation

33. Repeat for the Other Pair of Screws n Alternate between each pair until there is no more improvement in power from the fibre. n More than 60% of the input power must be transmitted.

34. Rotate the Fibre slightly and Repeat the Walking n It is necessary to co-align the polarisation of the laser and the fibre. n This is achieved by slightly rotating the fibre and repeating the walking until the maximum possible power issues from the fibre. n Warning. This process is tedious.

35. Conclusion n Tighten the locking screw. n Replace the shutter and covers. n The procedure is complete.