MKS Announces Integrating Sphere for VCSELs and Other Lasers
Combines multiple measurement capabilities in a single device
MKS Instruments has announced the Ophir IS1.5-VIS-FPD-800 Integrating Sphere at SPIE Photonics West 2020. Designed for applications in remote sensing, LIDAR, facial recognition, and more, the sensor provides accurate and reliable measurement of the optical parameters of VCSELs and other pulsed semiconductor lasers.
The new integrating sphere combines multiple measurement capabilities in a single device: a precision photodiode delivers calibrated average power measurement, a fast photodiode provides pulse shape characterisation on an oscilloscope, and an SMA fibre optic adapter makes for easy connection to a spectrometer.
The Ophir IS1.5-VIS-FPD-800 is part of the Ophir Integrating Spheres series of products. It accurately measures light that diverges up to ±60 degrees. A large, 20mm aperture enables long working distances. The device has a small internal diameter of 1.5 inch (38mm), which minimises the pulse stretching effect inherent to integrating spheres and provides a fast response time of 2.8ns. The calibrated device is NIST traceable.
"Pulsed VCSELs and other semiconductor laser sources require tailored optics and electronics to generate consistent pulses with optimal efficiency," said Reuven Silverman, general manager for the Ophir brand. "The IS1.5-VIS-FDP-800 integrating sphere is a fast detector designed to determine peak performance of pulsed lasers. This multifunction device features a flexible design that accurately and reproducibly determines total power."
The IS1.5 integrating sphere features a 'Smart Connector' interface that operates with any of Ophir's smart displays, including the Centauri, StarBright, Vega, Nova II, and StarLite, as well as the company's PC interfaces and process automation software. Users can also choose between a variety of data display formats, including Digital with Bargraph, Line Plot, Pulse Chart, and Real Time Statistics. The displays also feature sophisticated logging of power and energy, statistics, histograms, and more, as well as advanced math functions. The display is automatically configured and calibrated when plugged into one of the company's laser measurement heads.
