Electronic laser beam profile measurement

Abstract

Because the spatial beam structure is the most critical element of a laser, measurement of this beam structure is indispensable in laser design, development, and manufacture. Since measurement of the beam structure inside the cavity is impractical, if not impossible, the beam profile structure outside the laser provides the only real insight into cavity structure. It is critical that profile measurements outside the cavity be as precise and illuminating as possible. Electronic measurement of the output beam profile is the only method that gives sufficiently accurate and illuminating beam structure analysis.