11 Aug 2008 Photon's ModeScan Model 1780 is a laser beam profiling instrument that measures the M2 Beam Propagation Ratio and all associated ISO 11146 parameters instantaneously in real time at video rates to over 20Hz. The measurement technique, patented by Photon Inc., uses 10 reflective surfaces to form simultaneous images of the propagating beam at 10 locations on a Model 2512 CCD array camera. With all 10 measurement positions acquired at once, the instrument is suitable for measurement of both CW and pulsed lasers down to single-shot rates. Beam diameters are obtained with NIST-traceable accuracy to better than 2% using the Photon Model 2512 12-bit FireWire BeamPro. This translates to M2 measurements with accuracy to better than 4%. The FireWire system operates under Photon's renowned BeamPro Acquisition and Analysis Software in Microsoft Windows. The compactness of the system and the IEEE 1394 "FireWire" interface offers enhanced ease-of-use and portability. The ability to operate in any orientation allows for easy placement on any optical bench and saves valuable bench space.
Features
- IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connectivity
- 12-Bit Dynamic Range
- ½" Video Format
- External Asynchronous Trigger and Software Trigger
- Exposure and Gain Control
- Single shot, pulsed, or continuous wave operation
- Photon FireWire BeamPro Acquisition and Analysis Software stand-alone GUI with M2 Analysis
- ActiveX Automation Interface
- Small form factor (62mm H x 140mm W x 210mm L)+ Gimbal Mount
- Cover glass removed to eliminate fringes
- 2% Beam Diameter Accuracy
- 4% M2 Accuracy
The CCD is sensitive from ~250nm to 1100nm wavelengths. The standard configuration is supplied with a glass OD 2.8 C-mount neutral density filter for wavelengths >380nm, and an OD 3.0 Fused Silica Inconel neutral density filter for wavelengths <380nm. Because of the limited usefulness of exposure control with pulsed lasers, the Photon Inc. Model ATP-K is recommended for use with pulsed lasers with repetition rate <~10kHz and wavelength >380nm. For pulsed lasers with wavelength <380nm, a variable UV filter or a combination of UV filters will generally be required.
ISO 11146 Standard M2 Beam Parameters
- Beam Propagation Ratio M2
- Divergence
- Beam Waist Diameter
- Beam Waist Location
- Rayleigh Length
- Major and Minor axes
- Astigmatism
FireWire BeamPro Acquisition and Analysis Software
The ModeScan 1780 operates under the FireWire BeamPro Acquisition and Analysis Software. The FireWire BeamPro Software was written specifically for Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional* and takes full advantage of the menu driven, multi-windowing environment. The software provides quantitative measurement of numerous beam spatial characteristics in accordance with the ISO 13694 standard and M2 parameters according to the ISO 11146 standard. The software operates in 2 modes: the M2 Beam Propagation mode and the standard Beam Profiling mode. The M2 Beam Propagation mode includes a live Video window for displaying the 10 beam spots, a Measurement view showing the beam caustics, and the Beam Statistics view, a tabular summary for the M2 parameters and beam diameters with Pass/Fail analysis. Time Statistics views with strip chart time displays summary statistics—overlays are also available—and a Notes view for entering text. In the standard mode, all the features for beam analysis are available for closer inspection of a single beam. Additional window are the Profiles, 2D Topographic, 3D, and the Pointing Views.
For data display and visualization, the user can arrange and size these multiple windows as required. These may contain, for example as shown in figure 1, the Video, Measurement, and Beam Statistics views. Such custom-configured instrument screens with multiple views can be saved as configuration files for repeated use.
Data can be saved as program files, or exported to spreadsheets, math and statistical analysis programs and process/instrumentation control programs by logging to files or COM ports, or by sharing using ActiveX Automation.
Software Window Views for Data Display and Visualization
- M2 Beam Measurement Caustics
- Video
- Dual Aperture Profiles
- Beam Statistics
- 3D Profile View
- 2D Topographic View
- Up to 15 Time Statistics Charts
- Pointing
- Notes
For Product Specifications, please see Real-Time M2 Measurements Model 1780 datasheet.
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