Tech Firm MKS Instruments Introduces New System For Measuring Laser Beams At Infrared Wavelengths

Technology company MKS Instruments recently introduced Ophir BeamWatch Plus, a new non-contact beam profiling system for measuring the focus offset, focus size and position of high-power industrial lasers operating in the visible and near-infrared ranges.
Image BeamWatch Plus is the second generation of systems introduced in the field of laser photonics and can now measure high-power lasers at visible wavelengths (420-635 nanometers), mainly green and blue lasers, as well as in the near-infrared region (950-1,100 nanometers).
Designed for use with high-power YAG, fiber and diode lasers used in industrial material processing applications, the BeamWatch Plus is ideal for welding and cutting operations in material processing and automotive applications, such as copper welding of battery cells and hairpin welding.
The system utilizes beam-induced Rayleigh scattering for continuous measurements. This provides instant readings of focal spot size, beam position and full beam focal dispersion, as well as dynamic measurements of focal plane position during process startup. Measurements of the beam are made at frequent intervals without having to stop the process or remove extensive tooling and fixtures.
"Because there is no contact with the laser beam, the BeamWatch Plus has no power limitations," said Reuven Silverman, general manager of Ophir Photonics. "It has been successfully used for high-power lasers with no power limit, testing up to 100 kilowatts. Conventional beam measurement systems place probes in the beam, leading to potential damage and slowing down the measurement process to two minutes to collect data and characterize the beam.BeamWatch Plus provides instantaneous readouts of focal spot size and beam position, as well as dynamic measurements of focal plane position during process startup."
The BeamWatch Plus profiling system features high-magnification optics to measure beams with spot sizes as low as 45 m. The BeamWatch Plus is also capable of measuring beams with spot sizes as low as 45 m. This allows for smaller, more precise cuts with less material waste. Focus position can be measured several times per second to track if there is any focus shift at critical start-up moments. The system offers dual-axis measurement, allowing the user to see the laser beam from two orthogonal axes. Measurements are calculated on each axis, providing detailed information about how the laser is working. Focus shifts can be tracked on both axes, and the measurements can be used to determine the roundness of the beam or the presence of astigmatism.
Its software accurately analyzes images produced by laser Rayleigh scattering in real time. Calculations consist of beam waist size and position, focus offset, M2, divergence and other quality parameters. Key laser performance parameters are compared to preset ranges to provide pass/fail readings, so laser users know when to take corrective action. The software also includes automated control interfaces for system integration.