Applications >Laser Beam Profiling
Laser Beam Profiling
Laser Beam Profiling with the Acuros® CQD® SWIR Sensors
Lasers are used in an endless number of industrial applications. Whether you use a laser to take precise measurements, conduct surveys, do telecommunications work, or even use it in the medical field for something like laser eye surgery, you need to understand all of the characteristics and quality of your laser.
Laser Behavior
You can generally predict how a laser will behave based on how it is produced and how other models have performed in the past – but certain extraneous factors require verification and measurement. Things like manufacturing tolerances for lenses and mirrors and something as minor as the ambient conditions around your laser cavity can all have a sizeable effect on how well your laser functions compared to what you may have been expecting.
Given the different types of laser beams, spatial distributions, and their evolution as they propagate in free space and through optical elements, measurement of the beam profile is critical to quantify the irradiance at the point of the application. Monitoring the beam profile can also identify laser beam anomalies.
Cameras use a two-dimensional array of square or rectangular pixels as the imaging device. The intensity distribution of a laser or light source is recorded pixel by pixel and displayed as either a topographic or three-dimensional contour plot. The chief advantage of such profilers is that they can detect and display any structure that may exist on the profile and can be used with both continuous wave (CW) and pulsed lasers.
Acuros CQD SWIR sensors provide new insights and value for scientific, fiber optic alignment and free-space optics applications
What is laser beam profiling looking to measure?
– Beam width
– Beam shape
– Energy uniformity
– Beam quality
You can visualize your beam like never before with the Acuros® 1920L SWIR Camera. The significant advantage that a camera has over other methods of beam profiling like pinhole profilers and slit profilers is that you get real-time measurements and views of your laser in action. SWIR sensors are specially designed to reduce all laser-induced fringing effects.
Laser Beam Inspection
Laser beam profiling, free-space optical alignment, fiber optic alignment systems, scientific research and medical optics systems all use integrated SWIR cameras. These key instrumentation applications, and others require sensors with high pixel density, and large format arrays, all delivered at the lowest cost per megapixel.
The family of Acuros CQD SWIR and e-SWIR cameras meet the challenges of the shortwave infrared optics and optical systems market. Review the specifications of our key platform cameras, and contact SWIR Vision to discuss your imaging needs.
Laser Beam Profiling Applications
Optics Alignment in Open Space Telecommunications Infrastructure
Free-space optical communication systems continue to grow in importance and demand improved performance. These systems must operate under extreme conditions to achieve the highest levels of reliability, speed, and reliability. Our SWIR area scan cameras allow for in-situ alignment, environmental wavefront testing, and metrological inspection – thus providing a high-precision optical metrology solution for your measurements toolkit.
Fiber Optic Alignment Systems in High-Tech and Product Manufacturing Factory Systems
For optimal alignment of fibers, lasers and optical components as part of the product production process, it is necessary to have a high degree of accuracy. Due to the small diameter and curvature of optical fibers, the alignment process is very complex and varies with many factors, including the gripping position of the pigtail and the curvature of the fiber tip. Consequently, the lack of standardization in the alignment process can be challenging. SWIR laser sensors can help improve the alignment process through high-precision beam measurement.
Laser Sensors as a Tool in Scientific Research Across Numerous Academic Fields, from Chemistry to Geo-Environmental Studies
Laser beam inspection has a wide array of applications across scientific fields. When precise measurement is needed through less than optimal visual conditions, SWIR cameras and sensors can pick up where conventional equipment leaves off – whether in the laboratory or out in the field.
Medical Optics Systems as a Part of Diagnosis or Treatment Protocols
Medical optical imaging is a great way to reduce patient exposure to harmful radiation. Unlike x-rays, optical imaging uses non-ionizing ultraviolet and infrared light. Because this type of imaging is safer, it is often used for repeated procedures to monitor the results of treatments and diseases. Optical imaging is particularly useful for measuring multiple properties of soft tissue, such as density, and can provide early markers of abnormal organ function.