NanoScan Scanning-Slit Laser Beam Profiler

The wide dynamic range of the NanoScan allows for great flexibility in measurement applications, and the rapid update rate makes it ideal for real-time operations such as focusing laser optics, aligning optical trains or any other situation where both focused and unfocused beams need to be measured simultaneously.

The NanoScan is able to measure both CW and kHz pulsed beams with software controllable scan speed and a "peak connect" algorithm. The ability to control the scan speed also helps to increase the dynamic range of any given scanhead, providing even more flexibility of operation [see NanoScan Operating Space Charts below].

The NanoScan is available with silicon, germanium and pyroelectric detectors to cover the light spectrum from UV to far infrared beyond 100µm. The scanheads are available in several sizes, apertures and slit dimensions. See the NanoScan Specifications table for available configurations.

Silicon and Germanium detector NanoScans NanoScans are available with an optional relative power meter in two configurations, either 75mW or 200mW. The optional power meter is designed to be calibrated against a user-provided ISO or NIST traceable power meter. It then provides the convenience of simultaneously displaying beam profile and accurate power levels.

NanoScan integrated software operates on the latest Microsoft Windows Platforms and the system is available with either PCI or USB 2.0 hardware interfaces. The software reports laser beam parameters beam width, pointing, divergence and more for up to 16 beams. Beam width can be determined by 4-sigma, 1/e2, FWHM and any parameter can be charted using time statistics.

For instrument automation the software include ActiveX capability to communicate with other programs and languages, such as LabVIEW, Microsoft Excel, C++, Visual C++ and Visual Basic.

ISO Laser Beam parameters measured with NanoScan:

• Beam size
• Beam width—1/e2, FWHM, or 4-sigma method
• Beam position
• Beam divergence
• Relative power (with optional power meter)
• Multiple beams (up to 16) simultaneously

Specifications subject to change without notice

• Pentium IV 2GHz or better processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 24-bit color graphics card with hardware accelerator
• MS Windows 2000 Professional (font selection must be set to "Normal"), XP Professional, or Windows Vista (32-bit only)
• CD-ROM drive
• 1 PCI slot available or 1 USB 2.0 slot
• At least 50MB free space on the hard disk
• Microsoft compatible mouse or trackball
• SVGA or better (1280 x 1024 resolution)

NanoScan integrated software operates on the latest Microsoft Windows Platforms and the system is available with either PCI or USB 2.0 hardware interfaces. The software reports laser beam parameters beam width, pointing, divergence and more for up to 32 beams. Beam width can be determined by 4-sigma, 1/e2, FWHM and any parameter can be charted using time statistics.

Dual-Axis Profiles and Stats-1

Dual-Axis Profiles and Stats-2

Pointing Window with Options and Tools; Stats in back

Power Window and Stats

2D View of Beam Profile

3D View of Beam Profile

Time Charts and Stats

2D and 3D Options Menu

NanoScan M2 Wizard Software Screens

The M2 Wizard View is an interactive program for determining the "times diffraction limit" factor M2 by the Rayleigh Method. The M2 Wizard View prompts and guides the user through a series of measurements and data entries required for calculating M2. The entered and calculated values are displayed in each step of the Wizard.

M2 Wizard Start Screen

M2 Wizard Step 1

M2 Wizard Step 2a

M2 Wizard Step 2b

M2 Wizard Step 3

Collimation Fixtures

A single beam size measurement using a Collimation Fixture is all that is required to determine laser beam collimation, greatly simplifying this measurement.

Real-time optical alignment can then be performed to determine best collimation. No special training is needed to perform these simple measurements. Unlike with most measurement shortcuts, high-precision collimation measurements can be performed with exceedingly high resolution, higher than alternative techniques. All that is required for these accurate measurements of collimation is a test lens and a scanning-slit beam profiler, such as the NanoScan.

Measuring Collimation

The laser beam profiler is positioned such that it measures beam size at the lens¹s focal distance from the center of the lens. From lens theory, the angle of collimation is determined by the equation: Θ= Df /f, where Θ is the angle of collimation, Df is the beam size measured at the focal length, and f is the focal length of the lens. Once the beam size is measured at the focal length of the lens, simply dividing this measured beam size by the divergence angle determines the laser beam collimation angle. The beam profiler remains fixed, and active alignment is easily performed in real time. This level of simplicity, speed, and functionality is simply not possible with techniques involving multiple beam profile positions.

There are three Collimation Fixture models available, and they each require a scanning-slit profiler, such as the NanoScan. Please contact a Photon sales representative for more information.

Rayleigh Fixture

Photon Inc.'s Rayleigh Range Translation Test Fixture provides convenient translation of a NanoScan or BeamScan scan head assembly and a digital readout of its relative position along the beam axis. Used with a user-provided focusing lens and the M2 or k-factor Wizard in the NanoScan or BeamScan Analysis Software, this fixture offers a quick and easy method to determine the times-diffraction propagation factor (M2 or k) of a laser. Please contact a Photon sales representative for more information.

RailScan

The RailScan allows the automated, high-precision measurement of laser beam width and divergence (orthogonal values) at any point along the rail's length. Stepper-controlled motion with full range—as little as 8µm steps along rail length—provides negligible backlash during single direction of measurement. The scanhead can be positioned parallel or perpendicular to the length of travel. With the scanhead oriented perpendicular to the rail's length, it can also aid in parallel beam orientation and position measurements. RailScan measures a number of parameters of a paraxial laser source at any point along the rail's length. Please contact a Photon sales representative for more information.

Related Products

• High-Power NanoScan
• Scanning-Slit Near-Field Profilers

Application and Technical Notes

• Scanning Slit Dual Aperture Instrument Operation
• Choosing a Laser Beam Profiler
• Determining Damage Thresholds for Laser Measurement with a Slit Based Profiler
• Measuring Pulsed Beams with a Slit-Based Profiler
• NanoScan and Coherent Light
• NanoScan Reliability

Technical Papers

• Scanning Slit Profiler for Characterizing Optical Assemblies

Product Brochure

• NanoScan brochure