In an effor to see if I could narrow down the cause of the 100kHz ringing seen in the reflected PD signal, I tried a few things.
- Changed the PD - there was a PDA 255 sitting on the PSL table by the RefCav. Since it wasn't being used, I swapped the PD I was using with this. Unfortunately, this did not solve the problem.
- Used a different channel on the oscilloscope - ringing persisted
- Changed BNC cable running from PD to oscilloscope - ringing persisted
- Checked the spectrum of the PD under dark and steady illumination conditions for any features at 100kHz, saw nothing (as expected)
I was working under the hypothesis that the ringing was due to some impedance mismatch between the PD output and the oscilloscope, and 4 above supports this. However, most documents I can find online, for example this one, recommend connecting the PD output via 50ohm BNC to a scope with input impedance 50ohms to avoid ringing, which is what I have done. But perhaps I am missing something.
Moreover, the ringdown in reflection actually supplies two of the five variables needed to apply the MIT method of loss estimation. I suppose we could fit the parameter "m4" from the ringdown in transmission, and then use this fitted value on the ringdown in reflection to see where the reflected power settles (i.e. the parameter "m3" as per the MIT paper). I will try analyzing the data on this basis.
I also measured the power levels at each of the PDs, these should allow us to calibrate the PD voltage outputs to power in Watts. All readings were taken with the Ophir power meter, with the filter removed, and the IMC locked.
PD |
Power level |
REFL |
0.47 mW (measured before 1.0 ND filter) |
Trans |
203 uW |
Incident |
1.06 mW |
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