A simple laser beam characterization apparatus based on imaging

Abstract

The development of an original low-cost hardware/software apparatus to optically control the laser beam and measure quality parameters by image analysis using a monochrome matrix sensor is described, along with experimental validation. Laser parameters, namely beam waist, divergence, Rayleigh range and M2, which are the most relevant in manufacturing operations (like optical measurement and laser processing), have been physically and mathematically characterized. Strategies for the apparatus size reduction are also presented, including the use of a prism to reduce by half the optical path, and a camera model to simulate the sensor resolution.

Optical Systems for Reducing the Divergence of Laser Beams

“…Rezekne, Latvia Proceedings of the 14 th International Scientific and Practical Conference. Volume 3,[339][340][341][342][343] It follows from expression (5) that in order to achieve low divergence, the confocal parameter must be increased, which in turn leads to an increase in the focal length of the collimator. This is an unacceptable solution because it significantly increases the overall dimensions of the system.…”

Comparative Additional Factor for Diffraction Loss On (TEM01) Mode from That of (TEM00) Mode

“…, here ( ) is called Rayleigh range (Karbstein, 2018, Bisti et al, 2021. also is beam radius is given by this equation (Urunkar et al, 2018, Falcón et al, 2019, Sasnett, 2020; √ ( ) , and is radius of curvature of the Gaussian beam is given by this equation (Sasnett, 2020, Sohn et al, 2019;…”