Know About the Fiber Optic Power Meter

A device for measuring the optical power in a light beam, such as a laser beam, is an optical power meter. When receiving a pulse train with a high pulse repetition rate, such as from a Q-switched or mode-locked laser, it often only allows for power measurements with relatively low bandwidth and will, for example, only display the average power. There are further tools, referred to as optical energy meters, for measuring pulse energies.

 

There are some specialized sensor heads with an integrating sphere that can accept and precisely measure even highly divergent input beams, like those from light-emitting diodes, whereas the majority of power meters are only suitable for light beams with a relatively small beam radius, such as diffuse light.

 

An optical power meter normally includes a sensor head with the power sensor and optical light source within. This sensor head is usually positioned on a post to receive a horizontal input light beam at a specific height above the optical table. Additional optical attenuators can be added to a sensor head to increase the measuring range; they are especially available for photodiode-based sensors.

 

The sensor head may be linked to a standalone display device with an analog or digital laser power display. The user is frequently given the option to select from several power ranges and maybe make other adjustments, such as those affecting the laser wavelength or the reaction time. Devices used in the telecom industry may also show power in dBm or decibels of about 1 mW. Some devices offer a digital interface for connecting to a computer or an analog electrical output that delivers a voltage signal proportional to the amount of light received.

 

It is common for display instruments to be paired with various sensor heads, including sensor heads of various sorts, such as pyroelectric and photodiode-based types.

 

When using a power meter to measure fiber optic power, attach the meter to the cable. To make sure it doesn't have too much or too little power, compare the meter reading with the system's recommended correct power. Because fiber optic cables operate similarly to electric circuit voltage and require exactly the appropriate amount of power to function effectively, accurate power measurement is crucial. You can buy optical alignment machine online.