The 3A-QUAD BeamTrack laser measurement sensor measures laser beam position as well as power and energy. It has a 9.5 mm aperture and can measure beam position to 0.15 mm accuracy. It measures optical power from 100 µW to 3 W and energy from 20 µJ to 2 J.
Low power broadband absorber for 0.19-20 µm laser measurement
100 µW to 3 W power measurement range
20 µJ to 2 J energy measurement range
Accurate tracking of beam position to fractions of a mm
Additional CAD file downloads are not available for this product.
3a-quad-laser-position-sensor - Drawings
Additional drawings are not available for this product.
BeamTrack Sensors with StarLab
Support for BeamTrack sensors with Vega, Nova II, Juno, EA-1, StarLite and StarBright in StarLab application is now available. Follow step-by-step instructions to upgrade the embedded software in the BeamTrack sensor with the StarLab application
When working with other meters and interfaces it is not necessary to update the embedded software of the PE-C.
Note: BeamTrack sensors can't be upgraded via EA-1 interface.
Specifications
Product Name
3A-QUAD
Aperture Size
Ø9.5 mm
Absorber Type
Low power broadband
Spectral Range
0.19-20 µm
Minimum Power
100 µW
Maximum Average Power
3 W
Minimum Pulse Energy
20 µJ
Maximum Pulse Energy
2 J
Maximum Average Power Density
1 kW/cm²
Response Time
1.8 s
Maximum Energy Density <100 ns
0.3 J/cm²
Maximum Energy Density 2 ms
2 J/cm²
BeamTrack Functions
Power/Energy/Position
Cooling
Convection
Dimensions
Ø70 x 30 mm
Cable Length
2.8 m
CE Compliance
Yes
UKCA Compliance
Yes
China RoHS Compliance
Yes
Features
BeamTrack Measures Power, Energy, Size and Position
Ophir BeamTrack Sensor Series, the industry's first thermal sensors that combine power and energy measurement, beam position, and beam size in a single compact device.
Sensors for Measuring Laser Power
In this short "Basics" video we review in general how one goes about measuring laser beam power, so that you'll have a clear understanding of what the different sensor types are, and when to use each type.
Beam Pointing Stability Measurement Made Easy with BeamTrack & StarLab
Do you need to align a complex optomechanical system? As you make various adjustments, Ophir’s BeamTrack sensors help you keep track of the beam’s power as well as its pointing stability, all at the same time. In this video, you’ll see how you can use BeamTrack with Ophir’s StarLab software to get a very rich and nuanced picture of your beam’s pointing stability, together with a reading of its power and current position and size - instantly.
Position and Size are measured along with power. Therefore, if the laser is pulsing at a rate at which average power can be measured, then position and size can be measured as well.
Yes StarLab can log beam position. The BeamTrack sensors are thermal sensors. The power measurements for all Ophir power sensors are logged at 15 times a second. When a BeamTrack sensor is connected to StarLab via a Juno, the position / size measurements are also logged 15 times a second. When a BeamTrack sensor is connected to StarLab via a Vega/ Nova II, the position / size measurements are logged once a second. This is because in the Vega / Nova II we sample these parameters slower.
The Vega, Nova II, StarLite. StarBright and Juno support the BeamTrack (PPS) sensors. All other instruments can display power and single-shot energy of a BeamTrack sensor, but do not display beam position and size.
The hardware of all of these devices supports the BeamTrack sensors however, the firmware may need to be upgraded. Click here for a free download of the latest firmware from our web site
The answer to this is, of course, it depends. It depends on the pulse frequency and it depends on which sensor you want to use. Thermopile detectors do not have very fast response times, so frequencies above 100Hz are effectively the same as CW to them and all BeamTrack functions will perform as expected. Below 100 Hz the response time of the detectors becomes relevant. Low power sensors generally have faster response times so they will be more susceptible to fluctuating readings when used with a pulsed laser. The position measurement function uses the same thermopile detector as the power reading. If the laser frequency is high enough for the sensor to provide a stable power reading without fluctuations then the position measurement function will perform well too. All of our BeamTrack sensors will provide reliable position measurements for pulse frequencies down to below 10 Hz. The beam size function employs a detector that has a faster response time. At low frequencies the size measurement reading will fluctuate. We don't recommend relying on the size reading for laser pulse frequencies below 100 Hz. In any event, you can always try the sensor with your laser. If the readings are stable, without significant fluctuations, then they will be reliable.
Position can be measured for any beam shape. Size can be measured to specified accuracy only for Gaussian (TEM00) beams. For other laser modes, size measurement is relative only.
The specified response time is only for the power and not for the size or position; response time is intentionally given in the Power section of the spec.
We haven't defined a position and size measurement response time because it depends on too many different parameters. For example:
Small changes in size or position will respond quickly, large changes are much slower.
Going from a large spot size to a smaller one is faster than going the other way.
Position and size can change at the same time.
If the power also changes it is even more complicated.
So the response time for size and position cannot be meaningfully specified by a single number. Having said all that, however:
In general, unlike the power reading which is accelerated by the predictive “speedup” function, the size and position measurements can't use the speedup so they are a bit slower.
The rise time for Position and Size is typically 5x – 10x the specified power response time.
Fall times for a decrease in power density (i.e. increase in size relative to power, as above) can be longer.
Position and Size are measured along with power. Therefore, if the laser is pulsing at a rate at which average power can be measured, then position and size can be measured as well.
Yes StarLab can log beam position. The BeamTrack sensors are thermal sensors. The power measurements for all Ophir power sensors are logged at 15 times a second. When a BeamTrack sensor is connected to StarLab via a Juno, the position / size measurements are also logged 15 times a second. When a BeamTrack sensor is connected to StarLab via a Vega/ Nova II, the position / size measurements are logged once a second. This is because in the Vega / Nova II we sample these parameters slower.
The Vega, Nova II, StarLite. StarBright and Juno support the BeamTrack (PPS) sensors. All other instruments can display power and single-shot energy of a BeamTrack sensor, but do not display beam position and size.
The hardware of all of these devices supports the BeamTrack sensors however, the firmware may need to be upgraded. Click here for a free download of the latest firmware from our web site
The answer to this is, of course, it depends. It depends on the pulse frequency and it depends on which sensor you want to use. Thermopile detectors do not have very fast response times, so frequencies above 100Hz are effectively the same as CW to them and all BeamTrack functions will perform as expected. Below 100 Hz the response time of the detectors becomes relevant. Low power sensors generally have faster response times so they will be more susceptible to fluctuating readings when used with a pulsed laser. The position measurement function uses the same thermopile detector as the power reading. If the laser frequency is high enough for the sensor to provide a stable power reading without fluctuations then the position measurement function will perform well too. All of our BeamTrack sensors will provide reliable position measurements for pulse frequencies down to below 10 Hz. The beam size function employs a detector that has a faster response time. At low frequencies the size measurement reading will fluctuate. We don't recommend relying on the size reading for laser pulse frequencies below 100 Hz. In any event, you can always try the sensor with your laser. If the readings are stable, without significant fluctuations, then they will be reliable.
Position can be measured for any beam shape. Size can be measured to specified accuracy only for Gaussian (TEM00) beams. For other laser modes, size measurement is relative only.
The specified response time is only for the power and not for the size or position; response time is intentionally given in the Power section of the spec.
We haven't defined a position and size measurement response time because it depends on too many different parameters. For example:
Small changes in size or position will respond quickly, large changes are much slower.
Going from a large spot size to a smaller one is faster than going the other way.
Position and size can change at the same time.
If the power also changes it is even more complicated.
So the response time for size and position cannot be meaningfully specified by a single number. Having said all that, however:
In general, unlike the power reading which is accelerated by the predictive “speedup” function, the size and position measurements can't use the speedup so they are a bit slower.
The rise time for Position and Size is typically 5x – 10x the specified power response time.
Fall times for a decrease in power density (i.e. increase in size relative to power, as above) can be longer.
Accessories
Fiber Connector Adapters
These adapters allow for power measurement of connectorized fiber-optic cables. The sensor may need an additional mounting bracket to connect to these fiber adapters.
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7Z08227SC Fiber Connector Adapter, Power and Energy Sensors
UNIVERSAL
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$302.00
7Z08226ST Fiber Connector Adapter, Power and Energy Sensors
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$264.00
7Z08229FC Fiber Connector Adapter, Power and Energy Sensors
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$153.00
1G01236ASMA Fiber Connector Adapter, Power and Energy Sensors
UNIVERSAL
In Stock
$74.00
Showing 1 to 4 of 4 entries
BeamTrack Sensor Cables
Cable to connect PPS / Quad electronic box to supported power meters. Order along with sensor to receive this instead of 0.5m cable from electronic box.
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7E01176BBeamTrack Sensor Cable, 5 m Length, Connect PPS / Quad to Power Meter
The SH to BNC Adapter allows the connection of an Ophir sensor to a current or voltage measuring device for measurement of the raw sensor analog output. A current meter should be used for photodiode sensors. Current or voltage meters can be used for thermal sensors.
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Drawings, CAD & Specs
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7Z11010BNC Adapter, DB15 Optical Sensor Connector
UNIVERSAL
8 Weeks
$92.00
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Extended Warranty for Sensor
Customers that purchase the above items also consider the following items. Ophir-Spiricon meters and sensors include a standard manufacturers warranty for one year. Add a one year Extended Warranty to your meter or sensor, which includes one recalibration.
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