Photon, Inc.

Ophir-spiricon, LLC

Ophir Optronics Solutions Ltd.

Jeffrey L Guttman

John M Fleischer

Mark E Minshall

Simon E Saba

New systems for characterizing laser beams, using measurements performed on light which has been Rayleigh scattered from the beam. Different implementations are used for beam profiling, using images of the Rayleigh scattered light, and for laser beam power measurement, using the integrated Rayleigh scattered light. Both of these implementations can be applied to laser beams having high powers, since the measurements do not require insertion of any element into the beam itself, but rather depend on light scattered laterally from the passing beam. The measurements can thus be termed 'non contact' measurements, in contrast to prior art methods which require an element inserted into the beam. The systems use Rayleigh scattering from the laser beam passing through ambient air, such that no special scattering chambers or liquids are required for the measurements. Special cancellation algorithms or filters are used to discriminate from light arising from scattering from dust particles.

Beam scattering laser monitor

An optical beam diagnostic device includes one or more sets of coherent optical fiber bundles, wherein one end of the coherent optical fiber bundles is arranged to receive optical information from a dynamic moving or static optical beam or beams, and the other end of the coherent optical fiber bundles is arranged to transmit the optical information to a sensor array. Data from the sensor array can then be simultaneously acquired by an analysis system and analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the optical beam.

Optical beam diagnostic device and method

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a goniospectrophotometer is provided for quickly obtaining a goniospectrum using a goniospectrophotometer. In some embodiments, a parabolic reflector is used to optically transform the angular space of a source at the parabola focus into a linear space and facilitate the use of a single diffracting element and area camera to simultaneously measure the angular spectrum of the source. Spectra corresponding to zenith angles of light reflection by the parabolic reflector can be acquired by a detector and analyzed in a computer.

Real-time goniospectrophotometer

A method and apparatus for rapid measurements of far-field radiation profiles having a large dynamic range from an optical source is disclosed. Some embodiments of the apparatus include a collector coupled to a rotating hub so that the rotation of an entrance to the collector defines a plane, a detector coupled to receive light captured at the entrance to the collector, and detector electronics having a programmable gain coupled to receive a signal from the detector, Some embodiments may include a rotatable entrance mirror for reflecting light from the optical source into the plane of the entrance of the collector. In some embodiments, the optical source is fixed relative to the plane of the entrance of the collector. In some embodiments, the optical source is rotatable in the plane defined by the entrance of the collector. In some embodiments, the source can be an optical fiber. In some embodiments, the source can be a material irradiated by a laser. In order to obtain a large dynamic range, far-field data from the optical source is taken at a number of gain settings of the detector electronics and a compiled far-field radiation profile is constructed. Characterizing parameters for the optical source, such as fiber parameters for an optical fiber, can be calculated based on the compiled far-field radiation profile.

Far-field scanning apparatus and method for rapid measurement of light source characteristics with high dynamic range

A gonioradiometric scanning apparatus and method for measuring the near and/or far field radiation pattern of radiating optical sources such as laser diodes (LD), light emitting diodes (LED), optical fibers, flat panel displays, and luminaires is described. The scanning apparatus incorporates a deflector for selecting an azimuth angle through the optical source to be measured, a rotating apparatus which collects light while scanning about the source, an optical commutator, and a detector. The rotating apparatus comprises a cylindrical hub and an optical collector using either an optical fiber or a train of reflectors, such as mirrors or retro-reflectors. The optical collector provides a means for both collecting light and for directing the beam emanating from the deflector to a place opposite the detector at which optical commutation occurs. The reflector optical train, when employed, folds the optical path and increases the effective radius of measurement, so that large radius scans can be obtained in an instrument with compact geometry. Depending on the source geometry and the effective optical path, the light collection can be either in the near field or the far field of the source radiation pattern. For the case of the far field radiation pattern, it will also be possible to measure the near field radiation patterns by imaging the source onto the light collection surface.

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Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey L Guttman