Laser beam profiling camera offers quick USB interfacing

2nd June 2017

Alice Matthews

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Datasheet

Global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, MKS Instruments, has announced the Ophir Pyrocam IV USB, a laser beam profiling camera that allows users to see their laser beam for dynamic alignment and proper operation. The camera features a 320x320 pixel pyroelectric array that can profile beams up to 25mm (1") without the need for reduction optics.

It also includes a new USB 3.0 interface that provides a quick and easy connection to PCs for beam analysis, 2D and 3D beam display, as well as trending, data logging, and storage.

The Pyrocam IV measures both pulsed and CW (continuous wave) lasers, from 13-355nm and 1.06 to greater than 3,000µm. The compact device includes an integral focal plane chopper for CW beams and thermal imaging. The plug-and-play USB interface can be quickly and easily connected to a PC for further analysis of the beam. For those with a network connection, the Pyrocam IV is optionally available with a Gigabit Ethernet interface.

Gary Wagner, General Manager, Ophir-Spiricon (US), stated: "Pyrocam cameras are the only devices that allow 3D viewing of laser beams at IR or longer wavelengths. These cameras are being used in rapidly expanding applications in the 3-5µm Mid-IR region. Lasers that produce 3-5µm light are typically Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL), which are now being used for military IR countermeasures, nanotechnology, and some new biotechnology and medical applications."

The Pyrocam IV ensures alignment and proper operation of CO₂ and telecom NIR lasers, as well as infrared sources out to the Far IR THz range. A 16-bit A/D converter provides reliable measurement and analysis of both large signals and low level signals in the wings of the laser beam. A signal to noise ratio of 1000:1 means beams of 30mW/cm² are easily visible. The company's patented Ultracal® baseline algorithm allows multiple frames to be summed, enabling views of beams as low as 1-2mW/cm².

The Pyrocam IV works with Ophir BeamGage, which the company claims to be the industry's most advanced laser beam analysis software. It includes all the algorithms and calculations needed to make accurate, ISO approved laser beam measurements. The software provides 2D and 3D viewing, advanced image processing features, NIST traceable power measurements, trend charting, data logging, pass/fail production testing, and multilingual support for English, Japanese, and Chinese.