MC1000A In Stock

The MC1000A by ThorLabs is a optical chopper system that works as a precision instrument system designed to meet the most demanding applications. The MC1000A incorporates advanced features such as a microprocessor control and a crystal stabilized phase-locked loop (PLL) motor control to provide ultimate chopping stability and drift-free performance. The 10-slot (36°) chopper blade is capable of chopping from 25 Hz to 1 kHz, while optical blades extend the chopping frequency range.

The MC1000A stands out from traditional speed control designs due to its crystal-stabilized internal frequency synthesizer and guarantees an long-term stable and accurate reference frequency. This makes it ideal for achieving ultra-low drift speeds. The MC1000A is designed for compatibility with other optical choppers and even to more sophisticated reference sources like DSP lock-in amplifiers through PLL speed control circuitry. The MC1000A can lock precisely the phase and frequency to an external reference signal, providing the flexibility necessary for multiple chopper configurations.

The MC1000A has a rare earth magnet DC motor that is Swiss-made and chopper optical wheel that is photo-etched, which make the device precise. The optical head is built for solidity, boasting a wide base and two ¼-20 mounting screws on 2” centers for secure installation. The interface cable is equipped with dependable modular RJ-45 connectors, allowing for effortless setup. The MC1000A has an additional PLL circuit which increases the external reference frequency up to its 15th harmonic with further digital division to get the 15th sub-harmonic. Frequency multiplication and division when combined together can lead to the generation of a fractional harmonic. This feature is particularly useful for experiments requiring precise timing control.

The MC1000A has a large, easy-to-use 4-digit LED display with controls that can program the device to chop at a harmonic or sub-harmonic of the reference signal. An optional 2-frequency blade with 7 outer slots and 5 inner slots allows the MC1000A to be used in pump-probe and other nonlinear experiments. The sum and difference reference frequencies are provided for use with lock-in amplifiers. The user can access all the device's operating modes through simple, front panel push-button controls, and the user can easily save and recall multiple user setups from non-volatile memory. As a standard feature, the MC1000A comes with an RS-232 serial interface which enables it to be remotely connected to other hardware.