Laser power sensor

Abstract

A sensor unit for detecting Rayleigh scattering of laser light, guided in a fiber along a light path, is configured with a holder. The holder has a U- shaped recess centered along an axis which extends transversely to the light path. The curved bottom of the recess has a matte reflective surface and is configured with such a radius of curvature that Rayleigh scattered light indicated on the bottom is collected in a focal plane of a light input window of a meter coaxial with the recess. The reflected amount of the Rayleigh scattering on the light input window is sufficient to provide a measurement data which deviates from a reference value at no more than about ±3%.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to laser systems, and more particularly to fiber laser systems configured with a power sensor unit capable of detecting Rayleigh scattering of laser light propagating along an optical fiber in an amount sufficient to reliably measure laser output power. Background technique [0002] The most basic way to check a laser's performance is to measure its power or energy output. Laser output directly affects the laser's ability to perform the process at hand. Measuring and monitoring this parameter is often critical from the time the laser is first manufactured, through system integration, until the end user will use the laser system in remote applications such as medical, scientific, biomedical, industrial and military applications. is very important. Just as there are many different types of lasers with widely different specifications, there are different measurement techniques that are suitable for specific laser types and...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Scattered light lacks clear directionality and is therefore difficult to collect, making the detection process rather difficult and unreliable

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