FAQs About Laser Shutters & Optical Shutters

HOW MUCH OPTICAL POWER CAN MY LASER SHUTTER HANDLE?
Each standard laser shutter has a maximum average power and LIDT rating that should never be exceeded. This rating will depend on the laser’s wavelength (or multiple wavelengths), whether the laser is continuous wave (CW) or Pulsed, etc. The optics options are metal or dielectric (single or multiline).
Your optical shutter or laser shutter is guaranteed to operate in the orientation recommended by the manufacturer. If needed, optical shutters or laser shutters with small and lightweight components can be mounted in alternate orientations without much concern for the effects of gravity. Laser shutters equipped with heavier optics may be paired with a calibrated controller for certain gravity orientations if requested at order entry.
Yes! Operating the laser shutter without an unobstructed thermal path to an “infinitely large” heatsink will result in overheating and performance degradation. Permanent damage will occur if the laser shutter’s internal temperature reaches 110 °C (230 °F).
Our CX4000B controller has three connections: power supply (+24 VDC/COM), shutter (+/-), and control (3-24 VDC) signal (+/-). Please consult the wiring diagram provided with your controller board or request a copy by contacting our NM Laser sales team. The shutter opens when the control signal goes high.
This is not recommended. Adding a few feet of wire (plus additional connection losses) could drop the current below the recommended operating threshold. This will result in reduced performance, overheating, and in some cases, the laser shutter may cease to open. Heavy gauge cable extensions can reduce losses and can be an option. Contact us for support.
NM Laser shutters are designed for high reliability and lifetime. Depending on product lines, operating conditions, and application, optical or laser shutter lifetime can range from 100 million to 2 billion cycles. We routinely generate life test data for our OEM’s.
Yes, technically you can operate the shutter control board using a software such as LabVIEW to generate a control signal (may require additional National Instruments hardware). You need to provide the controller board power via an appropriately rated 24V external power supply, then use your PC generated control signal to command the shutter opening.