Thermal probes for beam profile display

Probe dimensions are: 6″x3 1/2″ x1″ (15.24 × 8.89 × 2.54 cm)
Each probe contains 4 surfaces, measuring 3″ x 3 ″ (7.62 × 7.62 cm)
UV lamp dimensions are 6″ x 2″ x 2″ (15.24 × 5.08 × 5.08 cm)

Resolution is the maximum number of light and dark lines that can be displayed in good contrast. For comparison – the resolution of a newspaper photo is about 70 lines / inch. Two laser beams intersecting at an angle of 2 degrees create an interference pattern of 80 lines / inch

Thermal probes for displaying the profile of a laser beam from the near IR region

These probes (models marked 24) work on the same principle as the previous products, with the difference that the imaging layer is optimized for the near IR region (wavelengths 0.7–1.3µm). These probes are divided according to the type of laser pulses (CW or pulsed lasers). The surfaces of these probes fluoresce a bright green color and darken instead of when irradiated with a laser.

Distribution according to fluorescent surfaces:

Surface 1: It is primarily intended for YAG lasers. The sensitivity changes with the intensity of the radiation from the UV lamp (in practice by approaching or UV moving the lamp away from the probe). The time response of the probe depends on the intensity of UV radiation (typically 10 ms). Therefore, this probe is not suitable for “single shot” display, but for higher pulse frequencies.

Surface 2: It is designed for pulsed Nd and other pulsed IR lasers. This surface has a longer discharge time than surface 1, which is ideal for displaying the profile of a pulsed laser beam. Depending on the level of UV intensity, the response time is from tenths of a second to several minutes (more intensity = shorter discharge time, if the probe is not irradiated with UV at all, then the beam profile can be observed for several minutes).

Surface 3: It is primarily intended for imaging gallium arsenide light emitting diodes and for diagnosing CW YAG lasers. This surface works on a different principle than the previous ones. Energy is stored in phosphorus when irradiated with UV or fluorescent light. Near IR radiation stimulates the loss of this energy like yellow-orange light (the beam profile image is displayed as light on a dark background). After the phosphorus absorbs a certain amount of IR energy, the surface must be recharged – the beam must be moved to another part of the probe and the original location must be recharged.

All probes have a matte surface and therefore do not generate unnecessary reflections.

Handheld thermal probes for displaying the profile of a CO2 laser beam

Handheld thermal probes are designed for easy tuning of IR optical systems. These probes display the laser beam as a dark image on a light background (the background is excited by a UV lamp). The small dimensions of the probe allow it to be placed close to the optical parts, where they accurately show the position of the laser beam.

We supply the following probe variants (differ in maximum power density):

• Model 23–1 (60–200 W/cm²)
• Model 23–2 (30–100 W/cm²)
• Model 23–3 (15–50 W/cm²)
• Model 23–4 (7.5–25 W/cm²)
• Model 23–5 (2.5–11 W/cm²)
• Model 23–7 (0.4–3.2 W/cm²)
• Model 23–8 (0.06–0.4 W/cm²)
• Model 23K (220) – Probe set (includes probes 1-5,7,8 and UV lamp – all in a plastic box)

Dimensions: 1/8 ″ (3.175 mm) thickness, 1 1/2 ″ (3.81 cm) width, 6 ″ (15.24 cm) length

Parameters:

The probes are primarily intended for use with low to medium power lasers (the probes are thin and therefore heat more significantly than conventional thermal probes).

The maximum permitted power is 50 W in intermittent operation. If the probe is used with a power between 50 and 100 W, the probe must be cooled after absorbing 700 Ws of energy. The probe can be used continuously at a power of 7 W or less.