NIST has developed a novel laser power and beam profile measurement system that doesn’t attenuate or perturb the laser beam. The three-mirror design allows absolute power measurement via radiation pressure on one mirror, while a small fraction of light leaks through the other two mirrors for parasitic beam profile measurement.
This approach enables absolute power measurement followed by calibration of relative beam profile measurements to the absolute power. The vertically directed force measurement is compatible with various force-sensing technologies, potentially lowering costs and simplifying calibration.
The system fills a gap in current laser measurement capabilities, particularly for beams in the anticipated power range of this instrument. It promises lower measurement uncertainties and more accurate characterization of laser beams.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/patents/non-attenuating-meter-determining-optical-energy-laser-light
Keywords: absolute, beam, force, measurement, power
