Helios Plus Industrialized Laser Power Sensors

Products
Software
Features
FAQS
Accessories
Resources
Contact Us

Overview

The Helios Plus measures high power industrial lasers of up to 12kW by measuring the energy of a short time exposure to this power.

No water cooling, up to 12000W
Profinet / EtherNet/IP / EtherCAT and RS232 interface
Remote actuated protective cover
Dual wavelength range

See All Features

Products

Compare	Model	Compatibility	rankScore	Spectral Range	Absorber Type	Aperture Size	Minimum Power	Maximum Average Power	Availability	Brand
7Z07101 Helios Plus - EtherNet/IP Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, EtherNet/IP Contact Us	7Z07101 Helios Plus - EtherNet/IP Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, EtherNet/IP	UNIVERSAL	1.0	450-550 nm, 900-1100 nm	LP2	Ø50 mm	50 W	12 kW	Contact Us	Ophir
7Z07104 Helios Plus EtherNet/IP-M Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, Helios Plus EtherNet/IP-M Contact Us	7Z07104 Helios Plus EtherNet/IP-M Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, Helios Plus EtherNet/IP-M	UNIVERSAL	1.0	450-550 nm, 900-1100 nm	LP2	Ø50 mm	50 W	12 kW	Contact Us	Ophir
7Z07105 Helios Plus – EtherCAT Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, Helios EtherNetCAT Contact Us	7Z07105 Helios Plus – EtherCAT Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, Helios EtherNetCAT	UNIVERSAL	1.0	450-550nm, 900-1100nm	LP2	Ø50mm			Contact Us	Ophir
7Z07134 Helios Plus - Profinet Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, Profinet Contact Us	7Z07134 Helios Plus - Profinet Short Exposure Laser Power Sensor, LP2, 50-12000 W, Ø50 mm, 450-550/900-1100 nm, Profinet	UNIVERSAL	1.0	450-550 nm, 900-1100 nm	LP2	Ø50 mm	50 W	12 kW	Contact Us	Ophir

Show All

Software

Helios Plus PC Application

Software: Helios Plus PC Application
Power measurement based on short exposure time.

Firmware: Firmware of sensor can be upgraded via Helios Plus PC application.
To download the firmware file go to: "Help/Firmware Upgrade" screen in Helios Plus PC Application.

For Helios Plus – Profinet:

Profinet Configuration File:
To install the Helios Plus into a Profinet network, download the GSDML.zip configuration file from the resource section below, and follow the instructions in the manual.

For GSDML configuration file compatible with the previous version of Helios Plus-Profinet (P/N 7Z07100) please contact Ophir.

For Helios Plus – EtherNet/IP & Helios Plus – EtherNet/IP-M:

EtherNet/IP Configuration File:
To install the Helios Plus into a EtherNet/IP network, download the EDS.zip configuration file from the resource section below, and follow the instructions in the manual.

For Helios Plus – EtherCAT:

EtherCAT Configuration file:
To install the Helios Plus into a EtherCAT network, download the ECS.zip configuration file from the resource section below, and follow the instructions in the manual.

Software

Helios Plus PC Application

Software: Helios Plus PC Application
Power measurement based on short exposure time.

Firmware: Firmware of sensor can be upgraded via Helios Plus PC application.
To download the firmware file go to: "Help/Firmware Upgrade" screen in Helios Plus PC Application.

For Helios Plus – Profinet:

For GSDML configuration file compatible with the previous version of Helios Plus-Profinet (P/N 7Z07100) please contact Ophir.

For Helios Plus – EtherNet/IP & Helios Plus – EtherNet/IP-M:

For Helios Plus – EtherCAT:

Specifications

Spectral Range

450-550 nm, 900-1100 nm
Absorber Type

LP2
Aperture Size

Ø50 mm
Minimum Power

50 W
Maximum Average Power

12 kW
Minimum Pulse Energy

100 J
Maximum Pulse Energy

5 kJ

Maximum Energy Density 2 ms

4 kJ/cm²
Response Time

3 s
Dimensions

Open - 200 x 123 x 144 mm, Closed - 200 x 100 x 84 mm (LxWxD)
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Specifications

Spectral Range

450-550 nm, 900-1100 nm
Absorber Type

LP2
Aperture Size

Ø50 mm
Minimum Power

50 W
Maximum Average Power

12 kW
Minimum Pulse Energy

100 J
Maximum Pulse Energy

5 kJ

Maximum Energy Density 2 ms

4 kJ/cm²
Response Time

3 s
Dimensions

Open - 200 x 123 x 144 mm, Closed - 200 x 100 x 84 mm (LxWxD)
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Features

Helios Industrial Laser Power Meter – Setup and Use

Ophir’s Helios industrial laser power meter is a compact instrument for measuring high power lasers in factory environments. In this video, we’ll see how to set it up, and how to operate it.

Introducing the Helios Industrial Laser Power Meter

For measuring high power lasers in industrial settings, meet Ophir’s Helios. Designed with factory automation in mind, it has a robust, industrial design for harsh environments, and its communication interfaces make it easy to integrate into factory networks. Get a brief introduction to the new Helios in this video.

Increase Production Quality and Efficiency by Measuring with Ophir's Helios Laser Power Meter

Features

Helios Industrial Laser Power Meter – Setup and Use

Ophir’s Helios industrial laser power meter is a compact instrument for measuring high power lasers in factory environments. In this video, we’ll see how to set it up, and how to operate it.

Introducing the Helios Industrial Laser Power Meter

Increase Production Quality and Efficiency by Measuring with Ophir's Helios Laser Power Meter

Frequently Asked Questions

How can the Helios measure high powers without any water cooling?
Answer
The key to Helios’ ability to handle high powers with a small, uncooled body is the limit on exposure time. The specifications state a maximum accumulated energy of 10kJ, so one can hit the Helios with 12 kW (max power) for up to about 0.8 s.

How can the Helios measure laser exposures of less than a second, if its response time is 2.5s?
Answer
The 2.5s response time of the Helios would indeed be problematic if it were measuring the power directly. In actuality it integrates the power received to measure the energy of the pulse. An internal photodiode is used to detect the pulse width. The power is then calculated by P = E / Δt.

How many measurements can be made in quick succession?
Answer
This is limited by the temperature the Helios body reaches, that is measured by an internal sensor. The temperature shouldn’t be allowed to exceed 60° C. In our experience, this translates to about 40 kJ of accumulated exposure. Of course, the longer one waits in between pulses (allowing the body to cool), the more total energy it can take. That is why the temperature sensor should be used as the primary indicator of overheating, while 40 kJ should be treated as a rule of thumb.

How do I install the Helios? What connectors and cables does it use?
Answer
Basic use with Profinet requires one power supply cable and one Profinet cable. Using RS232 or the PC application requires one power supply cable and one RS232 cable. If you want to use the Helios in a line/star topology, where it is daisy-chained with the next device in line, then you should use two power supply cables and two Profinet cables.
RS232 uses a standard DB9 RS232 cable. Profinet uses a Profinet-grade cable and RJ45 connectors. The power supply is a standard Profinet power supply from the Han PushPull series. For more information and mating connectors, see Chapter 3 of the manual.

How long does it take the Helios to cool down and be ready for another shot?
Answer
After the Helios reaches the maximum temperature of 60° C (approx. 40 kJ of accumulated energy), it should take about 10-20 minutes for it to cool back down to room temperature. Therfore, use the temperature sensor as the indication of how many pulses can be measured.

How can I clean the Helios glass window?
Answer
Use methanol and a tissue or clean air.

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.

Does the Helios have an interlock option to avoid damage?
Answer
Whether RS232 or Profinet is used, there is a command to query the current temperature. The customer is responsible for integrating this into the measurement script and coordinating with the laser control to make sure the laser is not allowed to be measured when the temperature is over the limit. If using the PC application, one should select: Options > Log Temperature Enable. This will show the current temperature (and log it). If the temperature goes over the limit, it will turn red.

Can the Helios Plus measure power-from-short-exposure correctly for a pulsed beam, say pulsing at several KHz?
Answer
The short answer: Yes. Now to explain: The question comes up because of the concern that the internal fast photodiode - which measures the exposure time (“pulse width”) - might get confused at sensing the end of an individual pulse within a pulsed beam, and incorrectly think that it has now measured the exposure time and needs to divide the measured energy by that time (which would of course be wrong). The Helios Plus is a bit smarter than that though. It looks simultaneously at the outputs from the fast photodiode AND from the (much slower) thermal sensor, and if it sees that the thermal sensor’s output has not “come back down”, then it knows what looked like the “end of the pulse” from the fast photodiode’s output is not really the end of the pulse.

What is each Helios panel LED indicator for?
Answer
There are seven LEDs for different status/error indications. From left to right (and top to bottom), the LEDs are:
1. Power
2. COM (Green)
3. COM (Red)
4. Link (Port 1)
5. TX/RX (Port 1)
6. Link (Port 2)
7. TX/RX (Port 2)
For more detailed information, see Chapter 7 of the manual.

Can a laser measurement depend on the distance from the laser to the sensor?
Answer
In theory, if a beam is completely parallel and fits within the aperture of a sensor, then it should make no difference at all what the distance is. It will be the same number of photons (ignoring absorption by the air, which is negligible except in the UV below 250nm). If, nevertheless, you do see such a distance dependence, there could be one of the following effects happening:
- If you are using a thermal type power sensor, you might actually be measuring heat from the laser itself. When very close to the laser, the thermal sensor might be “feeling” the laser’s own heat. That would not, however, continue to have an effect at more than a few cm distance unless the light source is weak and the heat source is strong.
- Beam geometry – The beam may not be parallel and may be diverging. Often, the lower intensity wings of the beam have greater divergence rate than the main portion of the beam. These may be missing the sensor's aperture as the distance increases. To check that you'd need to use a profiler, or perhaps a BeamTrack PPS (Power/Position/Size) sensor.
- If you are measuring pulse energies with a diffuser-based pyroelectric sensor: Some users find that when they start with the sensor right up close to the laser and move it away, the readings drop sharply (typically by some 6%) over the first few cm. This is likely caused by multiple reflections between the diffuser and the laser device, which at the closest distance might be causing an incorrectly high reading. You should back off from the source by at least some 5cm, more if the beam is not too divergent.
Needless to say, it’s also important to be sure to have a steady setup. A sensor held by hand could easily be moved around involuntarily, which could cause partial or complete missing of the sensor’s aperture at increasing distance, particularly for an invisible beam.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can the Helios measure high powers without any water cooling?
Answer
The key to Helios’ ability to handle high powers with a small, uncooled body is the limit on exposure time. The specifications state a maximum accumulated energy of 10kJ, so one can hit the Helios with 12 kW (max power) for up to about 0.8 s.

How can the Helios measure laser exposures of less than a second, if its response time is 2.5s?
Answer
The 2.5s response time of the Helios would indeed be problematic if it were measuring the power directly. In actuality it integrates the power received to measure the energy of the pulse. An internal photodiode is used to detect the pulse width. The power is then calculated by P = E / Δt.

How many measurements can be made in quick succession?
Answer
This is limited by the temperature the Helios body reaches, that is measured by an internal sensor. The temperature shouldn’t be allowed to exceed 60° C. In our experience, this translates to about 40 kJ of accumulated exposure. Of course, the longer one waits in between pulses (allowing the body to cool), the more total energy it can take. That is why the temperature sensor should be used as the primary indicator of overheating, while 40 kJ should be treated as a rule of thumb.

How do I install the Helios? What connectors and cables does it use?
Answer
Basic use with Profinet requires one power supply cable and one Profinet cable. Using RS232 or the PC application requires one power supply cable and one RS232 cable. If you want to use the Helios in a line/star topology, where it is daisy-chained with the next device in line, then you should use two power supply cables and two Profinet cables.
RS232 uses a standard DB9 RS232 cable. Profinet uses a Profinet-grade cable and RJ45 connectors. The power supply is a standard Profinet power supply from the Han PushPull series. For more information and mating connectors, see Chapter 3 of the manual.

How long does it take the Helios to cool down and be ready for another shot?
Answer
After the Helios reaches the maximum temperature of 60° C (approx. 40 kJ of accumulated energy), it should take about 10-20 minutes for it to cool back down to room temperature. Therfore, use the temperature sensor as the indication of how many pulses can be measured.

How can I clean the Helios glass window?
Answer
Use methanol and a tissue or clean air.

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.

Does the Helios have an interlock option to avoid damage?
Answer
Whether RS232 or Profinet is used, there is a command to query the current temperature. The customer is responsible for integrating this into the measurement script and coordinating with the laser control to make sure the laser is not allowed to be measured when the temperature is over the limit. If using the PC application, one should select: Options > Log Temperature Enable. This will show the current temperature (and log it). If the temperature goes over the limit, it will turn red.

Can the Helios Plus measure power-from-short-exposure correctly for a pulsed beam, say pulsing at several KHz?
Answer
The short answer: Yes. Now to explain: The question comes up because of the concern that the internal fast photodiode - which measures the exposure time (“pulse width”) - might get confused at sensing the end of an individual pulse within a pulsed beam, and incorrectly think that it has now measured the exposure time and needs to divide the measured energy by that time (which would of course be wrong). The Helios Plus is a bit smarter than that though. It looks simultaneously at the outputs from the fast photodiode AND from the (much slower) thermal sensor, and if it sees that the thermal sensor’s output has not “come back down”, then it knows what looked like the “end of the pulse” from the fast photodiode’s output is not really the end of the pulse.

What is each Helios panel LED indicator for?
Answer
There are seven LEDs for different status/error indications. From left to right (and top to bottom), the LEDs are:
1. Power
2. COM (Green)
3. COM (Red)
4. Link (Port 1)
5. TX/RX (Port 1)
6. Link (Port 2)
7. TX/RX (Port 2)
For more detailed information, see Chapter 7 of the manual.

Can a laser measurement depend on the distance from the laser to the sensor?
Answer
In theory, if a beam is completely parallel and fits within the aperture of a sensor, then it should make no difference at all what the distance is. It will be the same number of photons (ignoring absorption by the air, which is negligible except in the UV below 250nm). If, nevertheless, you do see such a distance dependence, there could be one of the following effects happening:
- If you are using a thermal type power sensor, you might actually be measuring heat from the laser itself. When very close to the laser, the thermal sensor might be “feeling” the laser’s own heat. That would not, however, continue to have an effect at more than a few cm distance unless the light source is weak and the heat source is strong.
- Beam geometry – The beam may not be parallel and may be diverging. Often, the lower intensity wings of the beam have greater divergence rate than the main portion of the beam. These may be missing the sensor's aperture as the distance increases. To check that you'd need to use a profiler, or perhaps a BeamTrack PPS (Power/Position/Size) sensor.
- If you are measuring pulse energies with a diffuser-based pyroelectric sensor: Some users find that when they start with the sensor right up close to the laser and move it away, the readings drop sharply (typically by some 6%) over the first few cm. This is likely caused by multiple reflections between the diffuser and the laser device, which at the closest distance might be causing an incorrectly high reading. You should back off from the source by at least some 5cm, more if the beam is not too divergent.
Needless to say, it’s also important to be sure to have a steady setup. A sensor held by hand could easily be moved around involuntarily, which could cause partial or complete missing of the sensor’s aperture at increasing distance, particularly for an invisible beam.

Accessories

Cables

One unit of each cable is supplied with Helios Plus.

Description	Compatibility	Avail.	Price
7Z10458A Power Supply Cable for Helios Plus and IPM-COM ower Cable, AIDA female, 4-pin, to flying leads, 5m (1 unit supplied with Helios Plus, not supplied with IPM-COM)	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$201
7E01298 Cable for Helios Plus – Profinet / EtherCAT and IPM-COM Plug Cable, RJ45 AIDA to RJ45, 5m (1 unit supplied with Helios Plus – Profinet & Helios Plus – EtherCAT Plus, not supplied with IPM-COM)	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$124
7E01299 EtherNet/IP Cable for Helios Plus EtherNet/IP Cable, 5 m, Helios Plus	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$208
7E01209 RS232 Cable for Helios Plus RS232 Cable, 10 m, Helios Plus	UNIVERSAL	In Stock	$77
7E01535 Power Supply Cable for Helios Plus - EtherNet/IP-M and IPM-COM Power Cable, Mini 7/8” female, 4-pin, to flying leads, 2m (1 unit supplied with Helios Plus - EtherNet/IP-M, not supplied with IPM-COM)	UNIVERSAL	Contact Us
7E11211 EtherNet/IP Cable for Helios Plus - EtherNet/IP-M and IPM-COM Plug Cable, M12-D to RJ45, 3m (1 unit supplied with Helios Plus - EtherNet/IP-M, not supplied with IPM-COM)	UNIVERSAL	Contact Us

Helios Plus Window Replacement Kit

Kit for replacing the Helios Plus window.

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7Z08369 Window Replacement Kit, Helios Plus	UNIVERSAL		Contact Us	$303

Extended Warranty for Sensor

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.