A Reference Standard for 1.064μm Laser Power Calibrations

摘要

This paper will describe the modifications completed to achieve a stable feedthrough (self-contained) reference standard for laser power calibrations at 1.064μm. A silicon detector based calorimeter was modified to a thermal based system. This standard is used as an Air Force Base Reference Standard with traceability to National Standards. It is a self-contained device with an internal beam splitter and a surface absorbing calorimeter. This allows calibration of the complete unit in terms of the output of the calorimeter while compensating for the beam splitter ratio and calorimeter sensitivity. A calibration factor is derived for the unit in terms of W/mV. By using a DC voltmeter with math functions, the calorimeter output can be determined and read directly, in terms of power. There is also a 6 to 1 telescope for the unit that allows for the beam out of the device to be expanded. A calibration factor for the entire unit, including the telescope, is determined. This allows for the use of either a small or large output beam to calibrate a test instrument, minimizing the risk of damage to the surface of the test instrument. This achieves a self-contained average pulse or CW laser power reference standard.