MKS Announces Ophir® BeamWatch® AM-3 Additive Manufacturing Beam Analyzer for Detection of Focal Shifts, Power, and Characterization Down to 35 µm

February 23, 2026 - Andover, MA - MKS Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, has announced the Ophir® BeamWatch® AM-3 beam analysis system for additive manufacturing. A lightweight, compact, integrated system, this beam analyzer delivers real-time, simultaneous, non-contact measurements of the beam caustic, including near, focus, and far fields, as well as laser power. Key measurements include: waist (focus spot) width and location, focal shift, centroid, M2 (Beam Parameter Product, BPP), Rayleigh length, and absolute power. These measurements allow additive manufacturing users to more easily determine when the laser beam is aligned and in focus, providing more consistent builds. 

The Ophir BeamWatch AM-3 beam analysis system features a higher-sensitivity, higher-resolution camera for faster measurements, enabling detection of focal shifts, characterization of focal spots down to 35 μm, and operation with both high-power and medium-power beams. It also extends wavelength coverage upon customer request: Standard: 1030-1100 nm. Other wavelengths available on request. 

As with all Ophir BeamWatch systems, beam caustic is measured by imaging Rayleigh scatter from two directions, enabling propagation and M2 measurements in compliance with ISO 11146 standards without contacting the laser. This eliminates potential damage to the optical components and measurement errors that could be caused by those components. The system's real-time capabilities allow for measurement of dynamic focal shift during laser startup. 

"Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) require symmetrical, uniform, and stable power density distribution of the laser beam," said Reuven Silverman, General Manager, Ophir Photonics Products. "Additive manufacturing users need to know where the system's laser is focusing, if the focus is stable, and, if not, where focus occurs after the system has thermally stabilized. This information is crucial for avoiding structural weaknesses, captured stress, and voids in the AM build. The Ophir BeamWatch AM-3 beam analysis system solves these problems by providing detailed information about key laser beam parameters and how they change with time in order to help maintain the quality and repeatability of the manufactured parts."

The Ophir BeamWatch AM-3 beam analysis system includes a high-sensitivity, high-resolution camera for fast spatial measurements and a NIST-traceable power sensor for an analysis of the laser power density profile. The system includes Ophir BeamWatch software for power and caustic analysis. Measurements can be displayed as tabular, 2D, and 3D views, providing a quick and realistic display of laser characteristics. The system includes USB connectivity for data acquisition, analysis, and display to Windows personal computers. 

Availability

The Ophir BeamWatch AM-3 beam analysis system for additive manufacturing is available now. 

DATA SHEET: https://www.ophiropt.com/en/f/beamwatch-am-laser-measurement

About MKS Inc.

MKS Inc. enables technologies that transform our world. We deliver foundational technology solutions to leading edge semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. We apply our broad science and engineering capabilities to create instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions and specialty chemicals technology that improve process performance, optimize productivity and enable unique innovations for many of the world's leading technology and industrial companies. Our solutions are critical to addressing the challenges of miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing by enabling increased power, speed, feature enhancement, and optimized connectivity. Our solutions are also critical to addressing ever-increasing performance requirements across a wide array of specialty industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.mks.com.

About the Ophir Brand

Ophir is a brand within the MKS Photonics Solutions Division. The Ophir product portfolio consists of laser and LED measurement products, including laser power and energy meters, laser beam profilers measuring femto-watt to hundred-kilowatt lasers, high-performance IR and visible optical elements, IR thermal imaging lenses and zoom lenses for defense and commercial applications, OEM and replacement high-quality optics and sub-assemblies for CO2 and high-power fiber laser material processing applications. Ophir products enhance our customers' capabilities and productivity in the semiconductor, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial markets. For more information, visit www.ophiropt.com.

For further information, contact: Reuven Silverman, General Manager, MKS Inc., Ophir Photonics Products, Science-Based Industrial Park, Har Hotzvim, Jerusalem 9145001, Israel, Tel: +972-2-548-7430, Email: [email protected], Web: www.ophiropt.com

PR Contact: Shari Worthington, Telesian Technology Inc., 49 Midgley Lane, Worcester, MA 01604 USA, Tel: +1 508-397-6345, Email: [email protected]