TQD001 In Stock

The ThorLabs TQD001 is a sophisticated T-Cube PSD auto aligner that is specially designed to work with PDQ and PDP series detector heads. The TQD001 boasts a number of impressive features that make it a popular choice for beam stabilization, position monitoring, and laser beam alignment applications.

The TQD001 has a unified interface that consists of ActiveX software, which allows for easy operation and monitoring of the signals outputted by the detector head. The auto aligner also features USB connectivity and has a small footprint, making it easy to mount directly onto an optical table close to the device under control. The TQD001 operates in three different modes: monitor mode, open loop mode, and closed loop mode. In monitor mode, the unit outputs XDiff, YDiff, and Sum signals from the detector array, which can be used for monitoring applications. In open loop mode, the XOut and YOut position demand output signals can be turned off to allow for manual positioning of the mirrors.

The TQD001's closed loop mode is particularly impressive, as it allows the unit to be configured to drive out a pair of position demand analog signals. This feature is ideal for controlling the positioning of a motorized or piezo-driven turning mirror in an optical system. The DSP processor of the TQD001 runs two independent feedback loops, one for each axis of the quadrant detector head. These feedback loops manipulate the position of the turning mirror to center the beam on the quad detector head and zero out the X and Y difference signals. The system can be tuned to a wide variety of beam alignment applications using the full PID parameterization of these feedback loops.

The TQD001 has a small footprint, with dimensions of 60mm x 60mm x 47mm, and can be conveniently mounted directly onto the optical table. At the top of the unit are all of the controls, making it easy to manually adjust devices and monitor positions via a 'Target' display that is simple to interpret. Additionally, the TQD001 has USB connectivity, allowing for easy 'Plug and Play' PC-controlled operation. By using USB hub standard technology or the T-Cube Controller Hub, a single PC can be connected to multiple units at the same time, allowing for motion control applications that are multi-axis.