Ophir Photonics Introduces New PF Laser Sensors, Volume Absorbers with 20X the Power Handling Capacity

Ophir Photonics Group, the global leader in precision laser measurement, today announced a new line of high damage threshold power volume absorbers for short pulsed lasers (<1us). The PF Sensors absorb a laser's energy in the volume of the material being used. The sensors make use of a spray deposited on the surface, not the typical glass or ceramic substrate. This means the PF Sensors provide significantly higher power handling capacity and faster response times. They can handle up to 20x the power density, up to 3KW/cm2, and the response rate time is as fast as 1s.



The PF Absorber Sensors include four models:



+ 50(150)A-PF-35: for up to 50W continuous and 150W intermittent with a large 35mm aperture



+ 15(50)A-PF-DIF-18: for 15W continuous and 50W intermittent; includes a diffuser to enhance damage resistance



+ 50A-PF-DIF-18: for 50W continuous; includes a diffuser to enhance damage resistance



+ F100A-PF-DIF-18: for 100W continuous; includes a diffuser to enhance damage resistance



The PF Sensors allow power densities up to 3KW/cm2 instead of the usual 50W/cm2. The sprayed on coating is more durable, less expensive, and can be produced in any size needed. Because the absorber is a layer and not a solid surface, response times are faster.



Until now, laser energy absorbers used solid glass or ceramic surfaces bonded to the sensor, stated Ephraim Greenfield, CTO, Photonics Group. These were hampered by slow response times, low average powers, and limited sizes. The PF Absorbers use an absorbing layer and therefore can withstand much higher peak powers without sustaining thermal damage.