MKS has announced the launch of the first contact-free beam profiler for high-power visible and near-infrared lasers

MKS Instruments, a global provider of technology dedicated to changing the world, has announced Ophir® BeamWatch® Plus, a contactless beam analysis system for measuring focus offset, focus size and high point position. Power industrial lasers operating in the VIS and NIR ranges.

Launched at LASER World of Photonics, the BeamWatch Plus is a second-generation system that can now measure high-power lasers at VIS wavelengths (420-635 nm), in addition to the NIR region (950-1100 nm). Mostly green and blue lasers. Designed for ultra-high power YAG, fiber and diode lasers used in industrial material processing applications, the BeamWatch Plus is ideal for welding and cutting operations in material processing and automotive applications, such as copper welding and hairpin welding of battery packs.

BeamWatch Plus is the industry's only industrial beam analyzer that can quickly and accurately measure laser parameters without touching the laser beam. The system uses Rayleigh scattering caused by light beams for continuous measurements. This provides instant readings of focus size, beam position and full beam caustics, as well as dynamic measurements of focal plane position during process start-up. The beam is measured regularly, eliminating the need to close the process or remove a large number of tools and fixtures.

The BeamWatch Plus analysis system has high magnification optics and can measure beams with spot sizes as small as 45 µm. This allows for smaller, more precise cuts while reducing material waste. The focus position can be measured multiple times per second to track if there is any focus movement at critical startup times. The system provides two-axis measurement, allowing the user to see the laser beam from two orthogonal axes. Measurements are calculated on each axis, providing detailed information about how the laser is operating. The focus movement can be tracked on both axes, and the measurement results can be used to determine the roundness of the beam or the presence of astigmatism.

BeamWatch Plus software accurately analyzes images generated by laser Rayleigh scattering in real time. The calculation includes waist size and position, focal shift, M2, divergence and other quality parameters. Key laser performance parameters are compared to preset ranges to provide pass/fail readings so that laser users know when to take corrective action. The software also includes an automated control interface for system integration.

Source: Laser Network