Recent updates and news in the world of power and energy measurements
Thermal sensors measure heat.
Lasers heat up these sensors, which is what we want.
But after the laser is turned off, the sensor might still be hot. (Especially true for high powers, long exposure.)
Does this mean the sensor will still show a reading? Should it be zeroed?
Measuring Laser Power with a Thermal Sensor:What Happens When the Sensor Heats Up? Read Post »
Not everyone knows this, but almost all Ophir power and energy sensors can be used with four standard fiber adapters:
SMA
FC
ST
SC
Of course, any fiber can be measured by an Ophir sensor by taking a free-space measurement – placing the fiber tip a few mm or cm from the sensor and letting the laser beam continue to the sensor.
However, in many cases it is convenient to use a fiber adapter to connect to a measuring device.
If that’s the case, here’s what you’ll want to do.
How to Measure Optical Fiber Power and Energy Read Post »
You medical laser needs periodic measurement to ensure it continues to operate at the desired output settings.
There are two ways to measure the internal laser of your medical device:
Hulk: large, thermal sensor to absorb the full laser power.
Spiderman: small sensor to sample the beam in-process.
As you might expect, each method comes with advantages and disadvantages.
How Should You Measure Your Medical Laser:Hulk-Style or Spiderman-Style? Read Post »
If your application involves a laser which is not always on the target, such as the following setup, you might need a beam dump. Consider this: The deflectable mirror is used to direct the laser to its intended target
Laser Beam Dumps: The Safe Way to Trap High Power Lasers Read Post »
Modern production facilities must constantly increase throughput, at less cost, with less scrap, and with minimum downtime. In this video overview, you will learn how application of new, advanced technology in measurement devices, can help both designers and users of industrial laser systems to optimize and control their processes, so they can accomplish these goals and achieve consistently good results – both in quality and quantity.
Laser Measurement Solutions for High Power Industrial Laser Applications Read Post »
There are a few different ways to measures laser power, but the most common is the photodiode. Photodiodes translate light energy into electricity (current), which can be measured by a current sensor.
Ophir uses a few types of photodiodes in its PD300 series.
How to Measure Low Power Lasers (Picowatts to Watts) Read Post »
If you are a serious laser user, you know how important it is to measure it.
Power is the simplest way to gain an understanding of your laser, although it certainly doesn’t stop there.
A Beginner’s Guide to Laser Power Measurement Read Post »
We’ve all been there before.
Struggling to reduce the cost of the BOM, we try to do everything ourselves.
After all, you’re an engineer, aren’t you? You have your own staff of hardware and software engineers, mechanical engineers, physicists, and anyone else you might need.
So, if there’s a complex part that adds a significant cost to your BOM, you’ll try to cut corners. “Let’s see how we can design that ourselves,” you say…
The Top Mistake Medical Device Engineers Make When Designing Laser Integration Read Post »
Does power density damage threshold really change with power? Shouldn’t it remain the same throughout the whole power range? In this video you’ll learn why the specified damage threshold does indeed depend on the power level, and not just on power density.
Does damage threshold depend on power level? Read Post »
Medical devices have to be accurate.
Often, there are regulations about how accurate the medical laser system must be. Whether there are regulations or not, the main concern is the health of the patient.
We must be absolutely sure the laser and system are calibrated and accurate, so they will heal the patience, instead of causing an unfortunate accident.
As you design the laser aspect of your medical device, there are a few things you should think about to make sure the laser measurement sensor will be accurate and will continue to remain as accurate as it should be.
How to Ensure Accuracy of Laser Measurement in Medical Devices Read Post »
You might not need something for months, but when you need it, you need it yesterday.
So the saying goes for start-ups, but I expect it holds true for all companies.
The problem is, you aren’t just buying off-the-shelf sensors and figuring out where to stick them into your medical device. You need a custom solution.
Custom solutions take time to design, by definition.
Laser Medical Device Engineers:How to Integrate Laser Measurement Faster Read Post »
Going to Munich for LASER World of PHOTONICS 2015?
We’ll be showing several new products in Munich, not to mention quite a few of our classics.
But…
You’re going to be busy. You can’t (and shouldn’t) go to every booth. So I’m going to very clear. Our booth is not for everyone. However,
Don’t Come to Our LASER World of PHOTONICS Booth Unless… Read Post »
