The high dynamic range (72dB_power) and 12-bit digitization of this array is impressive enough, but profiles with greater than 144dB_power (~24-bit effective digitization) can also be acquired with Extended Range Imaging. High dynamic range is important in many applications, especially lens characterization, where lens aberrations are apparent from faint features around a strong central peak in the beam profile.

The CCD is sensitive from 190nm to 1100nm wavelengths. The standard configuration is supplied with a glass OD 2.8 C-mount filter for wavelengths >380nm, while the camera can be equipped with a wavelength-specific (e.g., 355nm or 266nm) UV transparent filter.

This instrument provides a high level of portability for beam profiling, since a peripheral frame grabber card is not required for this system. Thus, this equipment can be easily transferred to different laptop or desktop computers without the additional step of installing a frame grabber card.

FireWire BeamPro Acquisition and Analysis Software
The FireWire BeamPro Software is written specifically for Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and takes full advantage of the menu driven, multi-windowing environment. The software performs rigorous data analyses in accordance with the ISO standards, providing quantitative measurement of numerous beam spatial characteristics. Pass/Fail limit analysis for each of these parameters can be also applied.

For data display and visualization, the user can arrange and size multiple windows as required. These may contain, for example, live video, calculated beam parameters and summary statistics in the form of graphs, tables, 3D views and strip chart time displays. These user instrument views can be saved as files for future use.

Data can be exported to spreadsheets, math and statistical analysis programs and process/instrumentation control programs by logging to files or COM ports, or by sharing using ActiveX Automation.

Software Window Views for Data Display and Visualization

• Video
• Dual Aperture Profiles
• Beam Statistics
• 3D Profile View
• 2D Topographic View
• Up to 15 Time Statistics Charts
• Pointing/Targeting
• M² Interactive Wizard
• Notes

Features

• IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connectivity
• Two formats - 1/2" or 2/3"
• High Dynamic Range
• External and Software Trigger with asynchronous reset
• Exposure and Gain Control
• Single shot, pulsed, or continuous wave operation
• Photon FireWire BeamPro Acquisition and Analysis Software with stand-alone GUI and ActiveX Automation Interface
• Small form factor (49mm x 62mm x 62mm)
• Cover glass removed to eliminate fringes
• Cover glass removed to eliminate fringes
• High beam profiling accuracy beam diameter

PC Specifications:

• 1.8GHz or faster Pentium IV Processor
• Windows XP Professional SP1 or Windows 2000 Professional SP3 Operating System
• OHCI compliant IEEE 1394a (FireWire Port)
• 512 MB of RAM
• CD-ROM Drive
• 30MB free space on hard disk
• SVGA display Monitor
• 64MB Color SVGA graphics card
• Mouse or other pointing device
• Keyboard

Figure 4. Mechanical dimensions of Model 2523 2/3" IEEE 1394 FireWire BeamPro camera