Ophir Photonics Group introduces NanoModeScan M2 laser beam propagation analyzer

Ophir Photonics, Logan, Utah, has introduced the NanoModeScan M² laser beam propagation analyzer. NanoModeScan enables the quantitative measurement and viewing of high power CO₂ laser beams.

The system is easy to setup and align; the straight line of sight design means little or no attenuation is required. NanoModeScan is also fast; an M² measurement can be made in as little as 20 seconds. In addition, the system reports beam waist diameter and location, divergence, and the beam's Rayleigh range for each axis. The NanoModeScan's ease of use and fast update rate (up to 20Hz) make it good for CO₂ laser-based material processing, machining, and marking applications where laser performance needs to be adjusted in real-time.

The NanoModeScan M² combines the flexibility and speed of Photon Inc.'s NanoScan near-field profiler with dedicated M² measurement hardware and software. The system provides automated measurement of M² in as little as 20 seconds using either the ISO 11146 or Rayleigh method. It reports such parameters as M² times diffraction limit, K beam propagation factor, d0 beam waist size, Z0 beam waist location, ø divergence, and Zr Rayleigh range.

The NanoModeScan's software controlled variable scan speed allows the measurement of both CW and kHz pulsed lasers, covering the entire wavelength range from UV to FIR. Rapid beam finding and auto ranging speed up the total M² measurement to ~20 seconds for CW lasers.

Both 200 mm and 400 mm lenses are available to generate the proper artificial waist for the laser source under test. For ease of alignment, the system includes an entrance iris on the optical axis and a precision alignment stage for horizontal and vertical positioning.