Power/energy meter measures lasers up to 120 kW

Ophir Photonics has introduced the 120K-W laser power meter. According to the company, the meter is the only commercial sensor for measuring 120-kW lasers. It is designed for heavy-duty applications, such as deep-penetration welding, drilling, and cutting large products in the field; metal forming; and military directed-energy applications. The portable meter measures very high-power, fiber, infrared, and Nd:YAG lasers.

The meter measures high power beams at a distance past the focal spot of the laser or, alternatively, at a distance from the diverging fiber output where the beam has expanded to about 100 mm dia.

A reflective cone in the meter deflects the laser beam onto the inner circumference of the sensor. This increases the radiated area and reduces the power density to manageable levels. As the cone dissipates the beam, it captures more than 99 percent of the radiation to help minimize safety hazards. Response time is less than 1 min.