Laser Beam Measurement Vocabulary
Brush up on your laser physics with our new glossary. Find out different ways to define beam width, mode, Rayleigh […]
Laser Beam Measurement Vocabulary Read Post »
“Power from Pulse” – How to Measure High Power Lasers with Small Sensors
A few months ago, I mentioned a new method for measuring kilowatt lasers without water (or even fan) cooling.
The idea was like this: Even a small 50 W sensor can handle high powers for a short amount of time, like a few seconds. Several of our sensors’ specifications were adjusted to reflect this.
For example, the L40(150)A is meant to measure 40 W continuously, but it can actually measure 4000 W for a second.
“Power from Pulse” – How to Measure High Power Lasers with Small Sensors Read Post »
Focal Shift in Laser Welders [video]
Is your laser’s focus spot where you think it is? This video shows the focal shift of a 100 kW laser during the first four seconds of startup using BeamWatch, Ophir-Spiricon’s non-contact high power beam analyzer. Find out more here: https://www.ophiropt.com/laser–measurement/beam-profilers/products/High-Power-Beam-Profiling/BeamWatch
Focal Shift in Laser Welders [video] Read Post »
How to Trap More Than 99.9% of a Laser Beam
Sometimes a laser is used in a “pass-through” setup, which begs the question: What happens to the laser after it passes through?
Consider for example a sensitive camera that is used to profile a laser. Beam splitters are often used to deflect only a small percent of the laser intensity into the camera. The other 90% or more passes straight through the splitter.
How to Trap More Than 99.9% of a Laser Beam Read Post »
Measuring Profiles of Non-Laser Light Sources
We talk a lot here about lasers.
How to measure laser power, energy, size, and distribution profile. How to avoid damage from lasers. Etc., etc.
But what about other light sources?
Measuring Profiles of Non-Laser Light Sources Read Post »
Can You Measure Laser Power with the Sensor on an Angle?
Glad you asked.
Like many answers to many questions, the answer here is “sometimes yes, sometimes no.”
To explain this, we must look at each of the three main types of laser power/energy sensors:
Can You Measure Laser Power with the Sensor on an Angle? Read Post »
The Full Spectrum of Laser Measurement [video]
For every wavelength of laser along the electromagnetic spectrum, Ophir-Spiricon can measure the output. This video briefly introduces the equipment used in the different regions of the spectrum to measure and profile lasers.
The Full Spectrum of Laser Measurement [video] Read Post »
MKS Instruments Acquires Ophir (via Newport)
As you might already know from the news, MKS Instruments (Andover, MA) acquired Newport Corp. (Ophir’s parent company).
What does this mean for you?
As an Ophir customer, you will benefit from the advantages that MKS has given us, in terms of scale and a more global presence.
MKS Instruments Acquires Ophir (via Newport) Read Post »
StarBright: Advanced, Yet Easy-to-Use Laser Power Meter
In order to measure your laser, you need two things:
Thing One: A sensor, to convert photonic power into an electrical signal.
Thing Two: A meter, to measure the electrical signal, digitize it, and display the results.
StarBright: Advanced, Yet Easy-to-Use Laser Power Meter Read Post »
Measure Laser Power on Your Android Phone
Some people prefer to use a PC to display their laser measurements. Some use a power meter.
But if you are a service technician and find yourself lugging equipment from one site to the next, this might be your saving grace.
Ophir recently released an Android app called StarViewer.
Measure Laser Power on Your Android Phone Read Post »
Optical Alignment: A Simple Solution to an Infuriating Problem
Picture this:
You’re working on a complicated laser setup, with various beam splitters, attenuation, lenses and mirrors. You spend weeks optimizing the design, and months waiting for all the parts to arrive.
Now everything is here and you set it up to the millimeter.
And then the big moment. Where’s the laser?
Optical Alignment: A Simple Solution to an Infuriating Problem Read Post »
Measuring Pulsed Lasers with a Scanning-Slit Profiler
When it comes to profiling your laser beam, there are quite a few questions to consider. Accuracy, functions, cost, etc.
Measuring Pulsed Lasers with a Scanning-Slit Profiler Read Post »