Laser Test Station

The stand-alone BeamAlyzer measures the width, ellipticity, profile, position, output power, and optical noise of cw laser beams. The results are displayed in real time on large LED indicators or on a user-supplied VGA monitor. Data can also be accumulated, logged, and stored for later analysis.

The test station uses multiple scanning knife-edges to scan up to seven independent axes with resolution of one micrometer. It then employs sophisticated tomographic analysis techniques to mathematically construct two- and three-dimensional contour plots. Unlike conventional scanning profilers that assume a near-Gaussian fit, this product can display complex three-dimensional spatial intensity profiles of elliptical and non-TEM00 laser beams. The system's novel design permits accurate profiling measurement of relatively high-power laser beams without using distorting attenuation.

The system features interchangeable heads with either three (BeamAlyzer) or seven (Super-BeamAlyzer) knives, along with a choice of detectors that covers the spectrum from 190 to1800 nm. The system's simplicity, with its interchangeable sensor heads, push button controls, or graphics-oriented, user-friendly menu-driven software (when used with VGA monitor); small footprint; pass/fail capability; and economical price make it an ideal laser test instrument for research, production, and quality control.

Melles Griot Photonics Components, 16542 Millikan Avenue, Irvine, CA 92606. Tel: 949-261-5600; Fax: 949-261-7790.