Thorlabs - Model C-Series -Thermal Power Sensors

• Broad Spectral Ranges with Relatively Flat Spectral Responses (See Plots Below)
• Individually Calibrated with NIST- and PTB-Traceable Certificate of Calibration
• Free-Space and Fiber-Based Applications Supported
• All Sensors Accept Free Space Input
• Majority Accept Fiber Adapter (Available Below) for Fiber-Based Input
• C-Series Connector
• Enables Quick Sensor Connection to Our Power Meter Consoles
• Embedded EEPROM Contains Sensor and Calibration Data
• Ten Models Feature Over-Temperature-Alert Sensor (See Specs Tab for Details)

Thorlabs` C-Series Thermal Power Sensors are collectively able to detect power ranges from 10 µW to 200 W and wavelength ranges from 190 nm to 20 µm. These thermopile-based sensors are ideal choices for measuring broadband spectra from amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) sources, light emitting diodes (LEDs), filament lamps, swept-wavelength lasers, and other sources. In addition, thermal power sensors do not saturate, which makes them well suited to measuring pulsed sources with high pulse peak powers or long-duration pulses. These thermal power sensors also exhibit low dependency on the angle and position of the incident light beam. They are preferred for applications that cannot tolerate the strong wavelength dependencies and/or saturation thresholds of photodiode sensors. However, thermal power sensors generally have lower power resolutions and longer response times. We offer a wide range of thermal power sensors, with each including different design features.

Mounting
The sensors sold here (except the S175C) can be mounted on our Ø1/2" Posts using an 8-32, M4, or M6 tap. A 60 mm or 75 mm tall post is included with select sensors. Additionally, many of our thermal sensors are compatible with 30 mm cage systems, Ø1" lens tube systems, and our fiber adapters (sold below). Please refer to the Specs tab for more information.

Calibration
Each sensor head is individually calibrated and is shipped with a NIST- and PTB-Traceable Calibration Certificate. The calibration and identification data is stored in the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) built into the connector of the sensor and is downloaded automatically to the connected power meter console. The EEPROM also contains sensor model and serial numbers, wavelength range, information on the built-in thermistor (when present), and the calibration date. For more information on sensor calibration, please see the Calibration tab on our Power Meter and Sensor Tutorial.

Power Meter Compatibility
All sensors are connected to the power meter console via the C-Series connector, which offers quick sensor exchange. These sensors are compatible with our current power meter console offering but cannot be used with our previous generation of consoles. For our sensors with natural response times greater than 1 second, these power meters can use the data stored in the connector to predict the incident power after a single time constant of the sensor. Please see the Operation tab for more information.

Recalibration Services
Thorlabs offers recalibration services for our thermal power sensors. To ensure accurate measurements, we recommend recalibrating the sensors annually. This service can be ordered below (see Item # CAL-THPY).

Sensor Upgrade and Service
All C-Series Sensors are incompatible with former generation power meter consoles with non-C-Series connectors. We offer a sensor upgrade service if you want to use your existing sensors with a new power meter console with a C-Series connector. Note: upgraded sensors will be incompatible with old power meter consoles with non-C-Series connectors. Please contact our Tech Support team for details.