Xenon Arc Light Sources

>1.3 W Power Light Sources with 240 - 2400 nm Output
Mercury-Xenon Lamp with Increased UV Emission Available
Long Lamp Lifespan: 2000 Hours (Average)

SLS401B

Replacement Xenon Arc Lamp

SLS401

Xenon Short-Arc Light Source,
240 - 2400 nm, >1.3 W Output

Controller Included

SLSLLG2

Liquid Light Guide
Adapter with Shutter
and Controller

Please Wait

Overview
Specs
Graphs
Lamp Installation
Pin Diagrams
Feedback
Lamp Selection Guide

Key Specifications^a
Item #	SLS401	SLS402
Lamp Type	Xenon Arc	Mercury-Xenon Arc
Wavelength Range	240 - 2400 nm
Color Temperature	5800 K	6000 K
Output Optical Power	>1.3 W^b
Output Beam Diameter	35 mm	35 mm
Output Power Stability^c	<0.3%
Optical Drift per Hour (Typical)	0.1%
Optical Power Drift per °C (Typical)	0.12%
Lamp Electrical Power	150 W
Lamp Lifespan (Average)	2000 Hours^d

Complete specifications can be found on the Specs tab.
At the beginning of the lamp lifetime.
The standard deviation of optical output power in percentage, measured at room temperature over 1 hour with a 1 Hz sampling rate after 45 minutes warm-up.
Defined as the time it takes for the lamp output power to decrease to 50% of its initial level.

Features

Two Options:
- SLS401 Light Source with Xenon Arc Lamp for 240 - 2400 nm, 5800 K
- SLS402 Light Source with Mercury-Xenon Arc Lamp for 240 - 2400 nm, 6000 K
Collimated Output for Free-Space Applications
Internally SM2-Threaded Aperture
Four 4-40 Threaded Holes for 60 mm Cage System at Front Output

Optional Accessories

Liquid Light Guide Adapters with or without Integrated Electronic Shutter
Replacement Lamps

Thorlabs' SLS401 and SLS402 Xenon Short-Arc Light Sources provide stable, high-power illumination from UV to NIR wavelengths. The SLS402 source incorporates a mercury-xenon lamp for additional strong lines in the blue to UV spectral region. See the Specs tab above for complete specifications. Since the blackbody spectrum of these sources covers a wide spectral range, these sources are ideal for integration into optical measurement equipment, such as back illumination for a test target as part of a detector calibration system.

Each short-arc light source includes a lens to collimate the high-power, broadband output into a Ø35 mm beam for free-space applications. For convenience, the position of the collimation lens is factory set; however, it is also user-adjustable should slight tweaks to the collimation be necessary. For additional mechanical stability, the feet are removable, allowing the source to be bolted directly to any standard imperial or metric optical table with user supplied 1/4"-20 or M6 screws, respectively. The front face features four 4-40 taps (as shown in the image to the lower right) for 60 mm cage rods, making these devices compatible with Thorlabs' 60 mm cage system. Using the cage system, it is possible to incorporate various optic mounts that are centered along the optical center of the lamp.

A variety of accessories is available separately below. Adapters designed to integrate Ø3 mm or Ø5 mm core liquid light guides are threaded directly onto the output port of the lamp; this does not require the removal of the collimating lens. The adapters are available with or without an integrated electronic shutter. Replacement lamps are also available. Please see the Lamp Installation tab for detailed instructions.

If a higher color temperature is desired, our color-balancing filters can be used to attenuate red light from a light source while passing blue light. This results in a beam with a higher color temperature and lower total power.

Click to Enlarge
SLS402 Light Source, SLSLLG2 Adapter with Shutter,
and Liquid Light Guide

Filter Holder Attached to Benchtop Light Source

Click to Enlarge
Benchtop Light Source with 60 mm Cage System and
LCP05(/M) Filter Mount with Color-Balancing Filter

Click to Enlarge
Collimated Output

Item #	SLS401	SLS402
Lamp Type	Xenon Arc	Mercury-Xenon Arc
Wavelength Range	240 - 2400 nm
Color Temperature	5800 K	6000 K
Output Optical Power	>1.3 W^a
Typical Spectral Output	0.1 W (200 - 400 nm) 0.2 W (400 - 700 nm) 1 W (700 - 2800 nm)	0.16 W (200 - 400 nm) 0.24 W (400 - 700 nm) 0.9 W (700 - 2800 nm)
Optical Power Stability^b	<0.3%
Optical Drift per Hour (Typical)	0.1%
Optical Power Drift per °C (Typical)	0.12%
Output Beam Diameter	35 mm
Beam Divergence^c	3.2°
Lamp Electrical Power	150 W
Lamp Lifespan (Average)	2000 Hours^d
Lamp Housing Dimensions (L x W x H)	214.7 mm x 217.0 mm x 261.2 mm (8.41" x 8.54" x 10.28")
Controller Dimensions (L x W xH)	350.0 mm x 200.0 mm x 82 mm (13.75" x 7.87" x 3.23")
Operating Temperature	0 °C to 45 °C
Storage Temperature	-15 °C to 70 °C

At the beginning of the lamp lifetime.
Standard deviation of optical output power in percentage, measured at room temperature over 1 hour with a 1 Hz sampling rate after 45 minutes warm-up.
Half Angle at 587 nm
Defined as the time it takes for the lamp output power to decrease to 50% of its initial level.

Lamp Specifications
Item #	SLS401B	SLS402B
Wavelength Range	240 - 2400 nm
Lamp Type	Xenon	Mercury-Xenon
Color Temperature	5800 K	6000 K
Lamp Electrical Power	150 W
Glass Envelope Material	Ozone-Free Quartz
Arc Gap	1.9 mm
Brightness (Average)	18 000 Cd/cm²
Luminous Flux	2800 Lumens
Light Intensity	280 Cd
Solid Angle of Output	10 Steradians
Lifespan (Average)	2000 Hours
Operating Voltage	17.5 VDC
Current	8.5 A (Nominal)

Liquid Light Guide Adapter Specifications

Item #	SLSLLG1	SLSLLG2	SLSLLG3
Wavelength Range	Uncoated: 185 nm - 2.1 µm	AR Coated: 350 nm - 700 nm; R_avg < 0.5%
Integrated Electronic Shutter	No	Yes^a	No
Lens	LA4464	ACL5040U-A
Lens Material	UV Fused Silica	B270 Optical Crown Glass
Coupling Efficiency (with SLS401 / SLS402)	>30% (3 mm LLG); >35% (5 mm LLG)	>30% (3 mm LLG); >40% (5 mm LLG)

The external controller included with the SLSLLG2 is the same as the one included with the SHB1. For additional information, please see the full presentation here.

Click to Enlarge
Click for Raw Data
The measured spectral power distribution for the SLS402 Light Source. This source uses a mercury-xenon bulb that features stronger emission lines in the blue and UV region of the spectrum. The spectrum is plotted on a log scale so that both the underlying shape and spectral lines are visible; prominent mercury lines are called out in the graph.

Click to Enlarge
Click for Raw Data
The measured spectral power distribution for the SLS401 Light Source. The spectrum is plotted on a log scale so that both the underlying shape and spectral lines are visible.

Click to Enlarge
The lamp can be held by its electrodes with gloved hands. Avoid making contact with the glass envelope.

Lamp Handling

The lamps used in broadband light sources have a high internal pressure and operate at a very high temperature. If handled incorrectly, they will become a serious hazard to users and could potentially cause severe injury. It is critical to follow safety instructions when handling them.

The guidelines below describe safe lamp handling.

Due to the high internal pressure, the glass of a broadband light source can burst when handled incorrectly, even when not in operation, causing serious injuries. Always wear eye/face and body protection when handling a lamp.
Never bump, drop, apply excessive stress, or scratch the lamp. This could cause it to burst.
Always transport the lamp in the provided protective case or cover until installation.
Save the protective case or cover and packaging materials (box) for lamps that have been used to their rated service life.
Any dust or grease on the lamp will compromise the integrity of the glass envelope, increasing the chance that the lamp will burst. Clean any dirt, oil, or lint away from the lamp with alcohol and a lint free cloth or tissue.
Always wear gloves when handling the lamp; never hold the lamp by its envelope. Thorlabs offer gloves that can be used for lamp handling.
The lamp generates very high-intensity light output; never stare directly into the lamp.
The lamp gets very hot during operation. Always wait at least 30 minutes after operation for the lamp to cool down before handling.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is recommended when handling the lamp.

Lamp Installation/Replacement

The installation instructions and video below detail the recommended procedure for installing or replacing the lamps in our SLS401 and SLS402 Short-Arc Light Sources using either the SLS401B Xenon or SLS402B Mercury-Xenon Lamps. Do not attempt to change the lamp while the lamp and lamp housing are hot. Allow at least 30 minutes after turning the light source off before attempting to replace the lamp.

We strongly recommend wearing gloves when replacing the lamp to prevent skin oils from being deposited onto the lamp. If you suspect the lamp is dirty, carefully clean it with alcohol before connecting it to a power supply.

Lamp Handling

Short-arc lamps require caution during handling. When handled correctly, the lamp is a very safe instrument; however, improper handling can be hazardous to users.

Always wear proper protective gloves when handling the lamp. Moisture and grease from the hands left on the lamp may affect the integrity of the glass envelope, shortening the lamp lifetime. In the most extreme cases, it can cause the lamp to explode.
Only hold the lamp at its electrodes. Avoid holding the lamp by the glass envelope.
Keep the glass envelope clean at all times.
When not using the lamp, always seal it in the plastic case in the original package.
The temperature of the lamp may reach several hundred degrees Celsius during operation. Always wait at least 30 minutes for the lamp to cool down before handling.

Open the Lamp Housing

Using a 4 mm hex key, remove the screws on the side plate. An engraving on the top of the unit indicates which side plate to remove.

Remove the Old Lamp

Loosen the two thumbscrews locking the lamp in place by turning them counterclockwise.
Remove the anode (+) connector from the top of the lamp.
Remove the old lamp by lifting it out of the bottom holder while holding onto the top electrode. Place it in the original lamp box.

Install the New Lamp

Orient the new lamp so that the anode is at the top.
Insert the cathode into the base.
Place the anode connector over the anode and make sure that the lamp is securely inserted.
Tighten both thumbscrews by rotating them clockwise.
Replace the side panel and secure with the four M5 cap screws.

SLS401 and SLS402 Connector

4-Pin Female Connector

4-Pin Female Connector
Pin	Connection
1	Bulb Cathode
2	Bulb Anode
3	Bulb Detection Resistor
4	Bulb Detection Resistor

SLSLLG2 Shutter Interface Connector

Male Plug on 35" (889 mm) Long Shutter Cord

Female Jack on Controller

4-Pin Mini-DIN Connector
Pin	Connection
1	Shutter Detect
2	Modulation +
3	+5 VDC
4	Modulation -
Shield	GND

External Modulation Input: TTL 0 to 5 V, Female BNC

Interlock Output: 2.5 mm Mono Phone Jack

Posted Comments:

Elif Nur Dayi (posted 2024-04-10 09:03:05.887)

Hi, We are interested in purchasing a Xe lamp and the SLS401 is one of our strong options. However, we have questions about the spectral power. On the spectra provided here, the Y axis is relative power, which makes it hard to understand/compare. Is there any data for the actual spectral power, especially in the visible range? Thank you very much. Best regards, Elif

cdolbashian (posted 2024-04-26 02:54:36.0)

Thanks for contacting Thorlabs! The estimated absolute power can be calculated from the total output power spec and the measured relative power spectrum. We will contact you to provide it.

Below is a selection guide for all of our white-light, broadband, lamp-based light sources. In addition to these sources, Thorlabs also offers unmounted white-light LEDs, white-light mounted LEDs, white-light fiber-coupled LEDs, and high-powered, white-light Solis^® LEDs.

Broadband Light Source Selection Guide
Item #	(Click to Enlarge; Not to Scale)	Emitter Type	Wavelength Range (Click for Plot)	Output Coupling	Output Power	Lamp Electrical Power	Color Temperature	Lamp Lifetime	Replacement Lamp
SLS204		Deuterium	200 - 700 nm	Free Space or Fiber Coupled (SMA)	2 mW^a 0.1 mW^b (Typ.)	30 W	N/A	2000 h^c	SLS254B
SLS205		Xenon Arc	240 - 1200 nm	Free Space or Fiber Coupled (SMA)	290 mW^a 5 mW^d (Typ.)	75 W	5800 K^a 5400 K^d	2000 h^c	SLS255B
SLS401		Xenon Arc	240 - 2400 nm	Free Space^e	>1.3 W^a	150 W	5800 K	2000 h^c	SLS401B^f or SLS402B
SLS402		Mercury-Xenon Arc	240 - 2400 nm	Free Space^e	>1.3 W^a	150 W	6000 K	2000 h^c	SLS401B or SLS402B^f
SLS302		Quartz Tungsten-Halogen	360 - 2500 nm	Free Space^e	>10 W^a	150 W	3400 K	1000 h^g	SLS301B
SLS201L(/M)		Quartz Tungsten-Halogen	360 - 2600 nm	Free Space^e or Fiber Coupled (SMA)	500 mW^a 10 mW^h	9 W	2796 K	10 000 h	SLS251
SLS301		Quartz Tungsten-Halogen	360 - 3800 nm	Free Space^e	>1.6 W^a	150 W	3400 K	1000 h^g	SLS301B
SLS603		Xenon Arc	380 - 780 nm	Ø3 mm Liquid Light Guide	>7 W^h	300 W	6000 Kⁱ	1000 h^c	SLS600B
SLS605		Xenon Arc	380 - 780 nm	Ø5 mm Liquid Light Guide	>15 W^h	300 W	6000 Kⁱ	1000 h^c	SLS600B
OSL2		Tungsten-Halogen	400 - 1600 nm (Typical)	Fiber Bundle	1.4 W^k	150 W	3200 K	1000 h^c	OSL2B^f, OSL2B2, or OSL2BIR
OSL2IR		Tungsten-Halogen	400 - 1750 nm (Typical)	Fiber Bundle	3.8 W^k	150 W	3200 K	200 h^c	OSL2B, OSL2B2, or OSL2BIR^f
QTH10(/M)		Quartz Tungsten-Halogen	400 - 2200 nm	Free Space	50 mW (Typ.)	10 W	2800 K^l (Typ.)	2000 h	QTH10B
SLS203L(/M)		Silicon Carbide Globar	500 nm - 9 µm	Free Space	>1.5 W^a	24 W	1500 K	10 000 h	SLS253
SLS303		Silicon Nitride Globar	550 nm - 15 µm	Free Space	4.5 W^a	70 W	1200 K	5000 h^g	SLS303B

Free-space optical power measured without adapters at the beginning of lamp lifetime.
Measured with Thorlabs' M114L01 solarization-resistant patch cable at beginning of lamp lifetime.
Operation time before the maximum optical output power of the lamp reaches 50% of its original output.
Measured with Thorlabs' M111L01 solarization-resistant patch cable at beginning of lamp lifetime.
Adapters are available separately to couple the free-space output into liquid light guides (LLGs).
This lamp is identical to the original lamp that comes with the light source.
Operation time before the controller cannot stabilize the output power of the lamp.
Measured at the liquid light guide tip at the beginning of lamp lifetime.
Prior to LLG
Fiber-coupled optical power, measured with included fiber patch cable at beginning of lamp lifetime.
Power at Fiber Tip at Maximum Lamp Intensity
Color temperature will vary from unit to unit.

Xenon and Mercury-Xenon Short-Arc Sources: 240 - 2400 nm

Zoom

Click for Details
Click for Raw Data
The measured spectral power distribution for the SLS402 Light Source. The spectrum is plotted on a log scale so that both the underlying shape and spectral lines are visible.

Click to Enlarge
The control unit for the SLS401 or SLS402.

Click to Enlarge
While the mirror alignment is pre-set to the optimal position, three knobs on the back of the housing allow the user to make further adjustments if desired.

Click to Enlarge
These short-arc sources include a concave mirror to focus light radiated behind the lamp back towards the front aperture.

Short-Arc Sources for 240 - 2400 nm
>1.3 W Output Power Collimated in a Ø35 mm Beam
Low Power Fluctuations of <0.3% within 1 Hour
Optical Drift: 0.1% per Hour / 0.12% per °C
Ozone Free
60 mm Cage System Compatible
Manual Shutter

Thorlabs' Xenon and Mercury-Xenon Short-Arc Light Sources are designed to provide >1.3 W of free-space illumination over the 240 - 2400 nm range. The spectrum of each source is shown in the graphs to the right. Compared to the xenon arc lamp, the mercury-xenon lamp provides additional strong lines in the blue to UV spectral region. The lamps are interchangeable between the SLS401 and SLS402 light sources and each source provides stable illumination with power fluctuations smaller than 0.3% per hour.

The >1.3 W output is collimated into a Ø35 mm beam for free-space applications. A silver-coated mirror at the back of the housing collects light from behind the lamp and reflects it towards the front of the housing in order to maximize the output power. The mirror alignment is factory set to maximize the output, but it can also be adjusted by the user using the three adjustment knobs on the back of the housing.

These light sources are shipped with factory-installed collimation lenses. The lens tube of the collimation lens features internal SM2 (2.035"-40) threading for easy integration of SM2-threaded parts, including the liquid light guide adapter sold below. A knob on the front of the lamp housing allows a manual shutter to block the output if desired. The front face of the lamp housing can also integrate a 60 mm cage system.

The included controller, pictured to the upper right, has two LED indicator lights for temperature and lamp status. During normal operation, both lights will be green. If the controller becomes overheated, the "Temperature" indicator will switch to red and the lamp will be automatically shut off. The "Lamp Status" indicator will show green if the correct lamp is installed or red if no lamp is present or if the wrong lamp is installed. The LCD display of the controller also shows a timer that counts down the lamp's lifespan. Note that this is estimated using the typical 2000 hour lifetime of the compatible lamp; the actual lifetime will vary from lamp to lamp.

The large box design of the arc lamp housing allows for the safe dissipation of thermal energy produced by the 150 W lamp. When used for an extensive amount of time, the housing can heat up to ~60 °C, so extensive contact should be avoided. Replacement lamps are sold below.

The arc lamps are ozone free: they do not produce enough deep UV radiation to convert oxygen to ozone within the beam path, allowing the light source to be safely used without the need for a system to purge the environment around the light source of ozone.

Liquid Light Guide Adapters

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Couples the Output of the Broadband Light Source into a Liquid Light Guide
Adapters Designed for 185 nm - 2.1 µm or 350 - 700 nm Wavelength Range
Compatible with Ø3 mm and Ø5 mm Core Liquid Light Guides
SLSLLG2 Includes Integrated Electronic Shutter with External Controller

These Liquid Light Guide Adapters are designed to quickly and easily integrate with the Broadband Light Sources to couple the output into Ø3 mm or Ø5 mm core Liquid Light Guides (LLGs). The adapters contain a collimating lens and are externally SM2 threaded (2.035"-40), allowing them to directly thread onto the collimation lens assembly without the need to remove or adjust either lens.

The SLSLLG1 is designed with an uncoated collimating lens, which provides a wide operating range from 185 nm - 2.1 µm. For superior performance from 350 nm - 700 nm, the SLSLLG2 and SLSLLG3 lenses use an AR-coated lens that provides improved coupling efficiency in this wavelength range. Transmission of wavelengths longer than 800 nm through the LLG for longer than an hour may result in permanent damage to the LLG tip; to reduce damage during extended use, incorporate a filter to limit transmission of IR wavelengths.

Click to Enlarge
The SLSLLG2, with a liquid light guide, attached to the SLS402 Light Source.

The SLSLLG2 features an integrated diaphragm shutter and an external controller that can operate at continuous frequencies up to 10 Hz and burst frequencies up to 15 Hz. For more information on the integrated shutter, please refer to the manual.

All liquid light guide adapters come with the AD3LLG adapter preinstalled, making them compatible with Ø3 mm LLGs out of the box. They are also shipped with the Ø5 mm LLG-compatible AD5LLG adapter, which can be swapped in by unthreading the AD3LLG and replacing it with the AD5LLG.

Item #	SLSLLG1	SLSLLG2	SLSLLG3
Wavelength Range	Uncoated: 185 nm - 2.1 µm	AR Coated: 350 nm - 700 nm; R_avg < 0.5%
Integrated Electronic Shutter	No	Yes^a	No
Lens	LA4464	ACL5040U-A
Lens Material	UV Fused Silica	B270 Optical Crown Glass
Coupling Efficiency (with SLS401 / SLS402)	>30% (3 mm LLG); >35% (5 mm LLG)	>30% (3 mm LLG); >40% (5 mm LLG)

The external controller included with the SLSLLG2 is the same as the one included with the SHB1. For additional information, please see the full presentation here.

Replacement Lamps

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Item #	SLS401B	SLS402B
Compatible Light Sources	SLS401, SLS402
Lamp Type	Xenon Arc	Mercury-Xenon Arc
Electrical Power	150 W
Color Temperature (Click for Spectrum)	5800 K	6000 K

SLS401B Replacement Xenon Short-Arc Lamp
SLS402B Replacement Mercury-Xenon Short-Arc Lamp
Both Lamps Compatible with SLS401 and SLS402 Light Sources
Ozone Free Lamps

The SLS401B and SLS402B replacement lamps are compatible with the SLS401 and SLS402 short-arc light sources. Each lamp offers a different output spectrum and is cross-compatible with the SLS401 and SLS402 sources. Please see the Lamp Installation tab for detailed instructions.

These arc lamps are ozone free: they do not produce enough deep UV radiation to convert oxygen to ozone within the beam path, allowing the lamp to be safely used without the need for a system to purge the environment around the light source of ozone.

Note: We strongly recommend wearing gloves when replacing the lamps in our light sources to prevent skin oils from being deposited onto them. If you suspect the lamp is dirty, carefully clean it with alcohol before connecting it to a power supply.