Motivation

For creating high brightness lasers, it is imperative to be able to properly observe and measure the beam. Furthermore, more advanced beam profiling methods may allow one to reason about the transverse modes, or even observe them directly and individually.

Hardware

WinCamD

Long Pass Filter, 1350 nm (Yellow)

Blocks wavelengths below 1290 nm. ~73.5% transmission at 1550 nm.

ND-1 Filter (Blue)

~36.5% transmission at 1550 nm.

ND-2 Filter (Red)

~14% transmission at 1550 nm.

ND-4 Filter (Black)

~2% transmission at 1550 nm.

Instructions and Notes

Check the power rating for the beam profiler system and any components in the beam path (including the ND filters), and determine the power density of the laser beam being imaged. Ensure that the laser beam can be safely imaged without damaging the camera or other equipment
Align the laser beam to the cap on the camera.
Ensure that the computer next to the camera is turned on and logged in.
Attach the camera to the computer using the USB-to-(mini or micro)USB. A light on the camera should turn on.
Launch the DataRay program. In it press the start capture button.
Take the cap off of the camera.
Turn on the laser. The beam should appear on screen. Additional beam/camera alignment may be necessary or desired.
Make the necessary measurements.
Turn off the laser.
Replace the cap on the camera.
Close the DataRay program.
Disconnect the camera from the computer and turn off the computer?

Beam Profiling