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300 mW Germanium Photodiode Sensor with 5mm Diameter Aperture

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FAQS
Accessories
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Overview

The PD300-IR germanium photodiode sensor is a laser measurement sensor for the near IR. It has a 5 mm aperture with swivel mount and a removable filter. Without filter, its spectral range is from 700 to 1800 nm and its optical power measuring range is from 5 nW to 30 mW. With filter the spectral range is 700 to 1800 nm and the power range is 2 µW to 300 mW.

700-1800 nm photodiode sensor
5 nW to 300 mW power measurement range
Swivel mount for hard to measure places
Comes with removable filter
Fiber optic adapters available

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Products

		Compare	Model	Compatibility	sortOrder	rankScore	ranking	Drawings, CAD & Specs		Aperture Size	Spectral Range	Maximum Average Power	Response Time	Availability	Featured Item	Price		Brand
		7Z02412 PD300-IR Photodiode Power Sensor, Germanium, 5 nW to 300 mW, Ø5 mm, 700-1800 nm $1,138 In Stock	7Z02412 PD300-IR Photodiode Power Sensor, Germanium, 5 nW to 300 mW, Ø5 mm, 700-1800 nm	UNIVERSAL	0.0	1.0	0.0		0.0	Ø5 mm	700-1800 nm	300 mW	0.2 s	In Stock		$1,138		Ophir

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Specifications

Aperture Size

Ø5 mm
Material

Germanium
Spectral Range

700-1800 nm
Power Range

Filter in: 2 µW - 300 mW
Filter out: 5 nW - 30 mW
Maximum Average Power Density

Filter in: 50 W/cm²
Filter out: 10 W/cm²
Maximum Pulse Energy

Filter in: 2 µJ
Filter out: 0.75 µJ

Response Time

0.2 s
Cable Length

1.5 m
Dimensions

120 x 13 x 21 mm (LxWxD)
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Specifications

Aperture Size

Ø5 mm
Material

Germanium
Spectral Range

700-1800 nm
Power Range

Filter in: 2 µW - 300 mW
Filter out: 5 nW - 30 mW
Maximum Average Power Density

Filter in: 50 W/cm²
Filter out: 10 W/cm²
Maximum Pulse Energy

Filter in: 2 µJ
Filter out: 0.75 µJ

Response Time

0.2 s
Cable Length

1.5 m
Dimensions

120 x 13 x 21 mm (LxWxD)
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Features

Measuring Very Low Laser Powers with a Photodiode Sensor

In this short “Basics” video, we review in general the use of photodiode sensors for measuring very low laser powers.

Effects of Incidence Angle on Measurements

In this video, you will learn to what degree a beam’s incidence angle matters, and for which sensor types this should be taken into account.

Features

Measuring Very Low Laser Powers with a Photodiode Sensor

In this short “Basics” video, we review in general the use of photodiode sensors for measuring very low laser powers.

Effects of Incidence Angle on Measurements

In this video, you will learn to what degree a beam’s incidence angle matters, and for which sensor types this should be taken into account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take off the removable filter from the PD300?
Answer

Removing External Filter from PD300:

Step 1 – Starting position

Step 2

Step 3

Can a lost PD300 filter be replaced?
Answer
Technically it could be replaced, but it is not just a matter of replacing the filter. Since the PD300 is a "calibrated" sensor it requires that the filter also be "calibrated". Especially since the PD300 response varies with wavelength, it requires that both the PD300 and the filter be calibrated over the entire spectral range with a monochromator. Because of the cost to calibrate the replacement filter with the PD300 sensor, we recommend purchasing a new PD300 sensor when a replacement filter is needed.

The total error when using a PD-300 head is listed as +/- 3%. Is that 3% of the reading or 3% of the total range?
Answer
It's +/-3% of the reading from full scale down to 5% of full scale. Below 5% of full scale one should switch to next range down for the best accurate linear results.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

Can I use a PD300 photodiode sensor to measure power of a scanned beam?
Answer
For measuring power of a scanned beam we recommend using the BC20, and not the PD300. Since a scanned beam will spend only a fraction of the time of each scan on the detector, the average power measured by the detector will correspondingly be only a fraction of the actual power of the beam. The BC20 is specially designed for such applications by having a peak-hold circuit integrated in its electronics.

Why do Photodiode-based power sensors like the PD300 have a specified “Max pulse energy”?
Answer
Although these sensors measure average power (of both CW and repetitively pulsed beams), not pulse energy, it is possible for a pulsed beam to have average power within the sensor’s rated limits and yet have the energy of the pulses themselves be high enough to cause a momentary saturation of the sensor. It is important to be sure that pulse energy is also within sensor spec – not just the average power. This is explained in detail in this White Paper.

Can I use a PD300 sensor inside a thermal chamber, in which the temperature cycles beyond the recommended operating temperature range?
Answer
It should be okay, as long as:
- the wavelength is not near the long wavelength limit where the PD300 has a large temperature dependence;
- there is no condensation on the window of the detector which could interfere with the beam and affect the reading.
We suggest the customer does an experiment with a stable laser source (such as a pointer laser) shining in through a window onto the detector while the unit is temperature cycled to see if the reading changes. The final measurement should be back at the original temperature so as to make sure the laser hasn’t changed.

Can I use a sensor from the PD300 family to measure average power of pulsed lasers?
Answer
In general yes, but several technical issues need to be kept in mind (most of which are results of the fast physical response time of these sensors):
- The pulse rate should be more than about 30Hz, otherwise the reading is unstable. At higher pulse frequencies, the sensor will respond as if the beam were CW.
- It is possible for a pulsed beam to have average power within the sensor spec and yet have the energy of the pulses themselves be high enough to cause a momentary saturation of the sensor. It is important to be sure that pulse energy is also within sensor spec (the parameter "Max pulse energy" is included in all specs for the PD300 family, for just this reason).
- The beam diameter should be no less than about 1mm .
- The average power and power density restriction in the spec should not be exceeded
Note: At the maximum pulse energy limit given in the spec, the reading will be saturated by about 5%, i.e. the reading will be about 5% lower than it should be. At 1/3 the maximum, the saturation will be about 1%.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take off the removable filter from the PD300?
Answer

Removing External Filter from PD300:

Step 1 – Starting position

Step 2

Step 3

Can a lost PD300 filter be replaced?
Answer
Technically it could be replaced, but it is not just a matter of replacing the filter. Since the PD300 is a "calibrated" sensor it requires that the filter also be "calibrated". Especially since the PD300 response varies with wavelength, it requires that both the PD300 and the filter be calibrated over the entire spectral range with a monochromator. Because of the cost to calibrate the replacement filter with the PD300 sensor, we recommend purchasing a new PD300 sensor when a replacement filter is needed.

The total error when using a PD-300 head is listed as +/- 3%. Is that 3% of the reading or 3% of the total range?
Answer
It's +/-3% of the reading from full scale down to 5% of full scale. Below 5% of full scale one should switch to next range down for the best accurate linear results.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

Can I use a PD300 photodiode sensor to measure power of a scanned beam?
Answer
For measuring power of a scanned beam we recommend using the BC20, and not the PD300. Since a scanned beam will spend only a fraction of the time of each scan on the detector, the average power measured by the detector will correspondingly be only a fraction of the actual power of the beam. The BC20 is specially designed for such applications by having a peak-hold circuit integrated in its electronics.

Why do Photodiode-based power sensors like the PD300 have a specified “Max pulse energy”?
Answer
Although these sensors measure average power (of both CW and repetitively pulsed beams), not pulse energy, it is possible for a pulsed beam to have average power within the sensor’s rated limits and yet have the energy of the pulses themselves be high enough to cause a momentary saturation of the sensor. It is important to be sure that pulse energy is also within sensor spec – not just the average power. This is explained in detail in this White Paper.

Can I use a PD300 sensor inside a thermal chamber, in which the temperature cycles beyond the recommended operating temperature range?
Answer
It should be okay, as long as:
- the wavelength is not near the long wavelength limit where the PD300 has a large temperature dependence;
- there is no condensation on the window of the detector which could interfere with the beam and affect the reading.
We suggest the customer does an experiment with a stable laser source (such as a pointer laser) shining in through a window onto the detector while the unit is temperature cycled to see if the reading changes. The final measurement should be back at the original temperature so as to make sure the laser hasn’t changed.

Can I use a sensor from the PD300 family to measure average power of pulsed lasers?
Answer
In general yes, but several technical issues need to be kept in mind (most of which are results of the fast physical response time of these sensors):
- The pulse rate should be more than about 30Hz, otherwise the reading is unstable. At higher pulse frequencies, the sensor will respond as if the beam were CW.
- It is possible for a pulsed beam to have average power within the sensor spec and yet have the energy of the pulses themselves be high enough to cause a momentary saturation of the sensor. It is important to be sure that pulse energy is also within sensor spec (the parameter "Max pulse energy" is included in all specs for the PD300 family, for just this reason).
- The beam diameter should be no less than about 1mm .
- The average power and power density restriction in the spec should not be exceeded
Note: At the maximum pulse energy limit given in the spec, the reading will be saturated by about 5%, i.e. the reading will be about 5% lower than it should be. At 1/3 the maximum, the saturation will be about 1%.

Accessories

Customers that purchase the above items also consider the following items. Ophir-Spiricon meters and sensors include a standard manufacturers warranty for one year. Add a one year Extended Warranty to your meter or sensor, which includes one recalibration.

Description	Compatibility	Avail.	Price
7Z02418 PD300-CDRH-7mm CDRH Adapter, Ø7 mm Aperture, PD300 Wand Type Power Sensor	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$99
7Z08336 PD300-CDRH-3.5mm CDRH Adapter, Ø3.5 mm Aperture, PD300 Wand Type Power Sensor	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$248
7Z08221 SC Fiber Adapter, PD300 Power Sensors	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$227
7Z02210 ST Fiber Adapter, PD300 Power Sensors	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$361
7Z02213 FC Fiber Adapter, PD300 Power Sensors	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$223
7Z02212 SMA Fiber Adapter, PD300 Power Sensors	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$315
7E01125A Optical Sensor Cable, 5 m Length, Connect PD300 to Power Meter	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$129
7E01125B Optical Sensor Cable, 10 m Length, Connect PD300 to Power Meter	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$219
XWAR-SENSOR Extended Warranty for Sensor	UNIVERSAL	Contact Us	$475