Laser Beam Analysis Systems

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Randolph Beasley
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1 Laser Beam Analysis Systems BeamGage TM, LBA, and BeamStar TM an Overview The performance of today s laser systems can strongly affect the success of demanding, modern laser applications. The beams size, shape, uniformity or approximation to the expected power distribution, as well as its divergence and mode content can make or break an application. Accurate knowledge of these parameters is essential to the success of any laser-based endeavor. As laser applications push the boundaries of laser performance it is becoming more critical to understand the operating criteria. Ophir-Spiricon has developed instruments to accurately measure critical laser parameters for over thirty years. Our LBA and BeamStar software have led the way. Now with the introduction of BeamGage, Ophir-Spiricon offers the first new from the ground up beam profile analysis instrument the industry has experienced in over 10 years. BeamGage includes all of the accuracy and ISO approved quantitative results that make our LBA software so successful. BeamGage also brings the ease-of-use that has made our BeamStar software so popular. Our patented UltraCal TM algorithm, guarantees the data baseline or zero-reference point is accurate to 1/8 of a digital count on a pixel-by-pixel basis. ISO requires that a baseline correction algorithm be used to improve the accuracy of beam width measurements. UltraCal has been enhanced in BeamGage to assure that accurate spatial measurements are now more quickly available. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) of BeamGage is new. Dock-able and floatable windows plus concealable ribbon tool bars empowers the BeamGage user to make the most of a small laptop display or a large, multi-monitor desktop PC. BeamGage s Dock-able windows and panels allow the user to customize the display to take advantage of available monitor space. 101

Calculations UltraCal baseline correction Our patented, baseline correction algorithm helped establish the ISO 11146-3 standard for beam measurement accuracy.

With the baseline set too high, the algorithm interprets the baseline as wings in the laser beam. Calculated beam widths are now too large.

By setting the baseline precisely, beam width calculations become more accurate.

2 Calculations UltraCal baseline correction Our patented, baseline correction algorithm helped establish the ISO standard for beam measurement accuracy. UltraCal ensures the highest accuracy and reliability in the industry by retaining negative signals essential for making correct beam width measurements and for extracting weak signals out of noise. With the baseline set too high, the algorithm interprets the baseline as wings in the laser beam. Calculated beam widths are now too large. With the baseline set too low, laser wings are clipped off in the A/D converter. Calculated beam widths are now too small. By setting the baseline precisely, beam width calculations become more accurate. BeamStar provides various beam width results, Centroid and Peak locations, as well as Gaussian Fit, and Total Power of the laser under test. BeamGage and LBA Calculations include Statistics as well Custom Calculations BeamGage permits the user to employ custom calculations. User defined computations are treated just as the standard calculations. These custom results are displayed on the monitor, logged with results, and included on hard copy print-outs as if they were included in the original application. An example of a customer generated custom equation 102

Beam Pointing Stability In BeamGage and LBA open the Pointing Stability program to collect centroid and peak data from the core system and display it graphically.

A centroid location scatter plot with histogram color-coding Any notations entered here will be printed with the charts.

The radius is referenced from either an Origin established in LBA or from the continuously calculated Average Centroid position.

3 Beam Pointing Stability In BeamGage and LBA open the Pointing Stability program to collect centroid and peak data from the core system and display it graphically. View a chart recorder and statistical functions in one interface: Peak location scatter plot with histogram color-coding. A centroid location scatter plot with histogram color-coding Any notations entered here will be printed with the charts. Notes remain from one reset to the next and from one application startup to the next. Set a sample limit, and specify the results items to graph on the strip chart. The radius is referenced from either an Origin established in LBA or from the continuously calculated Average Centroid position. A pointing stability strip chart presents data over time for the Centroid X and Y, Peak X and Y and centroid radius from an origin or from the mean centroid. With BeamStar, the beam pointing function looks like this: Choose time limit for measurement Summary of data shown each period in log file Concurrent with screen, log data to file in csv or text format Record data in microns or input distance from source and measure in microradians 103

BeamGage main display screen File Save/Load ApplicationButton Quick Access Toolbar for common tasks Tabbed Control Access 2D Beam Display Tool Windows that dock inside or float outside App User

The title bar indicates the frame number associated with the current result values.

4 BeamGage main display screen File Save/Load ApplicationButton Quick Access Toolbar for common tasks Tabbed Control Access 2D Beam Display Tool Windows that dock inside or float outside App User Definable Window Layout Integrated Help System Beam Results with Statistics LBA main display screen Selectable computed results and statistics table. The title bar indicates the frame number associated with the current result values. ISO Compliant Results Set operation mode and frame capture rate 1D, 2D & 3D Profiling Options Block mode, frame capture and video trigger settings Cursors With Power / Energy Readouts Frame summing and averaging Processing Status Indicators Apply gain correction 3D Beam Display Set and subtract reference frame Logging and write-protect Buffered Video Panning Controls Represents the digitized image in relation to the camera detector. Soft zoom or pan for best view. Tilt and rotation control for 3D view. Beam display available in either 2D or 3D. Set a custom color palette, Z-axis scale, wire density and freely rotate or zoom in for best visible analysis. Camera connection, Ultracal, reference subtract and gain correction status Select or browse frames View the capture rate and interval Adjustable fluence histogram of the currently displayed frame of data. 104

BeamStar main display screen Start/stop measurement Beam Wander screen Cross hairs for vertical and horizontal profiles.

Mouse buttonshift moves image, mouse button-alt sizes image.

This flexible system allows user to totally customize screen even to show different screens for different cameras on same screen Automated or manual shutter, gain and background control All

5 BeamStar main display screen Start/stop measurement Beam Wander screen Cross hairs for vertical and horizontal profiles. Profile can be linked to cross hair position, centroid, peak or sum profile can be displayed 3D display can be rotated or angled at will. Mouse buttonshift moves image, mouse button-alt sizes image. A wealth of display choices are available in the menu When laser power is entered, the vertical profile graph is shown in meaningful units of W/cm 2 Profile graph shows profile chosen in the 2D display. Flexible system allows user to open as many profile screens as desired and choose X and/or Y profile or sum profile for each. Shown is the Gaussian fit screen. A top hat fit screen can also be shown Add button to add additional screens. This flexible system allows user to totally customize screen even to show different screens for different cameras on same screen Automated or manual shutter, gain and background control All numerical values are shown in this compact screen. Note close agreement between 3 different measures of beam width in this unretouched measurement of a HeNe laser User can click on this and enter laser power. BeamStar will subsequently follow power correctly Position is centered on CCD center location for ease of use 2D Displays The BeamGage 2D display is zoomed to increase resolution of the area of interest. The area of calculations is defined by an ellipse aperture in this BeamGage image. LBA and BeamStar 2D Graphics Cursor data may be overlaid on the LBA 2D display. 105

Pass / Fail with Password Protection for Production Testing BeamGage and LBA allow the user to configure the displayed calculations; set-up the screen layout and password

6 3D Graphics The BeamGage image includes calibrated indications of size and intensity. The BeamGage 3D graphics contain subtle shading to improve data rendering and understanding. Pass / Fail with Password Protection for Production Testing BeamGage and LBA allow the user to configure the displayed calculations; set-up the screen layout and password protect the configuration from any changes. This permits secure product testing as well as data collection for Statistical Process Control (SPC), all while assuring the validity of the data. Failures (or successes) can be the impetus for additional actions including a TTL output signal or PC beep and the termination of further data acquisition. 106

Capture Modes BeamGage offers new data acquisition modes including: 1 frame every X frames X frames over a predefined time period (T) Burst mode where X frames are captured every predefined time

As much or as little of the PCs memory and hard drive(s) may be allocated to the frame buffer. Either the desired number of frames or amount of memory may be allocated to the Frame Buffer.

7 Capture Modes BeamGage offers new data acquisition modes including: 1 frame every X frames X frames over a predefined time period (T) Burst mode where X frames are captured every predefined time period (T) Memory LBA provides single shot, continuous, and block mode data acquisition. The size of the LBA frame buffer like BeamStar, and BeamGage can be defined by the user. As much or as little of the PCs memory and hard drive(s) may be allocated to the frame buffer. Either the desired number of frames or amount of memory may be allocated to the Frame Buffer. Unique Features Power/Energy Calibration BeamGage has the ability to interface to an Ophir power meter. The BeamGage application will match-up the time stamps of the laser power readings to beam profile data with a similar time stamp. This is the first time in the industry a laser power meter has been married to a laser beam profile system. BeamGage, LBA and BeamStar allow the user to input the power or energy associated with a beam profile by keyboard input. Below LBA is manually calibrated by entering the total Power or Energy contained in the laser under test in the Computations window. 107

With these models you have verification and validation tools that allow not only OSI but also the end user to verify BeamGage's basic beam width measurement algorithms.

This allows the user to better understand the accuracy of measurements made under both optimum and adverse conditions.

It can also be used to validate third party algorithms by making the output data available for use in third party applications.

8 Numerical Beam Profile Generation BeamGage contains a utility, BeamMaker TM, that can synthetically generate beam profile data. Beam Maker allows the user to model both Laguerre-Gaussian and Hermite-Gaussian laser beams in various modal configurations. With these models you have verification and validation tools that allow not only OSI but also the end user to verify BeamGage's basic beam width measurement algorithms. It can also be used to model laser beams with special input conditions such as signal-to-noise, background offset, and bits per pixel resolution. This allows the user to better understand the accuracy of measurements made under both optimum and adverse conditions. This tool provides the user with a method to validate algorithms against current ISO standards and methods. It can also be used to validate third party algorithms by making the output data available for use in third party applications. Hermite 6x8 2D Legerre 10x2 Legerre 2x2 Firewire CCD USB 2.0 CCD Pyrocam InGaAs Camera Compatibility BeamGage and LBA beam profile analysis applications interface to both Firewire (1394) and USB cameras while the BeamStar application interfaces to USB cameras. Camera Compatibility Chart BeamGage LBA BeamStar SP503 SP503 SP503 SP620 SP620 SP620 SP SP SP SP SP SP GRAS20 GRAS20 GRAS GRAS FX50 FX50 FX33 FX33 FX33 FX50 PY-III PY-III L11058 L11058 SU-320M 108

9 Software comparison chart Features Overview BeamGage LBA BeamStar User selectable for either best "accuracy" or "ease of use" Supports our patented Ultracal algorithm plus Auto-setup and Auto-exposure capabilities Extensive set of ISO quantitative measurements Statistical analysis on all calculated results displayed in real time Support for USB, Firewire, Gig-E #, and Pyrocam III Applications where "accuracy" is most important Patented Ultracal technique for accuracies better than 1/8 of 1 digital count, pixel by pixel Extensive set of quantitative measurements, many ISO compliant Statistical analysis on all calculated results displayed in real time! Frame grabber style Analog and Digital cameras, plus USB, Firewire, and Pyrocam 4 camera input option on Frame grabber models. Applications where "ease of use" is most important Operates in either manual setup or Auto-exposure modes Quantitative measurements, many ISO cpmpliant Limited statistical results Supports the FX (Firewire) and SP (USB 2.0) lines of cameras New Beam Maker beam simulator for algorithm self validation. See below for more detailed description. Simultaneous 2D and 3D displays 2D or 3D displays Simultaneous 2D and 3D displays Multi-instance multi-camera use Multi-instance single camera use Single instance single camera use * Supports camera sharing ** Supports networked cameras Results synchronised to select models of Ophir power/energy meters Supports Satellite windows on multple monitors Standard child window design Standard child window design Continuous zoom scaling in both 2D and 3D Fixed zoom scaling in both 2D and 3D Fixed 2D zoom settings, continuous 3D scaling *Window partitioning to allow analysis of multiple beams on a single camera Camera ROI support on USB, Firewire, and Gig-E Camera ROI support on USB and Firewire cameras Limited ROI support cameras Manual and Auto-aperturing to reduce background Manual and Auto-aperturing to reduce background Manual Aperturing effects effects Pass-Fail on all results items, w/multiple alarm options Pass-Fail on most items, not including statistics or pointing stability, w/multiple alarm options Pass-Fail on most results items, not including statistics Beam Pointing Stability scatter plot and stripchart results Beam Pointing Stability scatter plot and stripchart results Beam Pointing Stability scatter chart and results *Expanded beam stability results in the form of strip chart and scatter plots Full featured logging capabilities that are reloadable Full featured logging capabilities, only logged data Logging limited to results only is reloadable Industry std data file format Proprietary data file format Proprietary data file format Configurable Report Generator that allows cut and paste of results, images and settings. Somewhat configurable Report Generation using MHT format NET Automation interface that allows for full remote control. Limited ActiveX controls with data and results access Limited ActiveX controls with data and results access Open accessibility for Visual Studio Tools Closed application Closed application customization LabVIEW virtual instruments sample library ActiveX sample library for LabVIEW, VB6 and Excel ActiveX sample library for LabVIEW, VB6 and VB.NET Windows Vista-32/64 compatible Windows XP Pro, and Vista-32 compatible Windows XP SP2 and Vista-32 compatible Quantitative Calculations; Basic Results (per ISO 11145, /-3, and 13694) (per ISO 11145, /-3) (per ISO 11145, /-3) Power/Energy Results Total power or energy (Can be calibrated or sync'd to an external power/energy meter) Total power or energy (Can be calibrated to an external power/energy meter) Total power (Can be calibrated to an external power meter) Peak power/energy density Peak power/energy density Peak power density Average pulse power Peak pulse power Device efficiency % in Aperture % in Aperture Peak to average 109

10 BeamGage LBA BeamStar Spatial Results Peak and Centroid locations Peak and Centroid locations Peak and Centroid locations Beam width Beam width Beam width Second Moment (D4σ) Second Moment (D4σ) Second Moment (D4σ) Knife Edge 90/10 Knife Edge 90/10 Knife Edge 90/10 Knife Edge (User selectable level) Knife Edge (User selectable level) Percent of Peak (User selectable) Percent of Peak (User selectable) 13.5% & 50% of peak Percent of Total Energy (User selectable) Percent of Total Energy (User selectable) Encircled power smallest 95.4 Beam diameter Beam diameter Beam diameter Average diameter (based on x/y widths) Average diameter (based on x/y widths) Second Moment (D4σ) Encircled power smallest aperature 86.5 Encircled power smallest aperature (User selectable level) Elliptical Results Elliptical Results Elliptical Results Elliptical orientation Elliptical orientation Elliptical orientation Ellipticity Ellipticity Ellipticity Eccentricity Distance Measurement Distance Measurement Distance Measurement Cursor to Crosshair Cursor to Crosshair Multiple Manually drawn ruler lines on 2D display Centroid to Crosshair Centroid to Crosshair Area Results Beam cross-sectional area Divergence Focal Length method Focal Length method Far-field two-point method Far-field two-point method Far-field Wide Angle method Gaussian Fit 2D whole beam fits 2D whole beam fit 1D line fits 1D line fits 1D line fits Height Height Height Width X/Y Width X/Y Radius, Width, FWHM Centroid Centroid Goodness of fit Correlation of fit Correlation of fit Roughness of fit Deviation of fit Peak to Average Modulation Tophat Results 2D and 1D 2D and 1D 2D and 1D Flatness Tophat Factor Tophat Fit Effective Area Effective Area Effective Area Effective Power/Energy Effective Diameter Effective Diameter Fractional Effective Power/Energy Effective Average Fluence Tophat Mean Tophat Mean Uniformity Tophat Deviation Tophat Deviation Plateau Uniformity Std Dev/Mean Edge Steepness 1D surface inclination 1D or 2D surface inclination Other Quantitative Items Scalable Intensity Histogram, exportable Scalable Intensity Histogram #Row and Column summing with results, printable and loggable Row and Column summing (Log Data only) Row and Column summing with results, printable Frame Averaging Frame Averaging Frame Averaging Frame Summing Frame Summing Frame Reference Subtraction Frame Reference Subtraction Frame Reference Subtraction Image Convolution Image Convolution Camera signal/noise calculator Camera signal/noise calculator 110

11 Beam Stability Displays and Results Beam Profile Display Options 1D Features BeamGage LBA BeamStar (per ISO 11670) Pointing Stabilty of Centroid (# Peak in a future release) Pointing Stabilty of Centroid and Peak Pointing Stabilty (Beam Wander) of Centroid Utilizes advanced hardware accelerated graphics Scatter Plot display with histogram and Stripchart Scatter Plot display engines. All display windows can be floated to utilize multiple display monitors. Mean Centroid Centrod and Peak Last Centroid Azimuth angle of the scatter Radius Mean Centroid Stability (M'/m'/S) Max Radius Centroid Std Dev Max Radius Average Radius Distance to Mean Centroid X/Y centroid/peak Strip chart plots Std Dev of Radius Maximum wander Sample/Time controlled Avg X/Y position Auto scaling Pass/Fail limits Std Dev X/Y Sample/Time controlled Auto scaling Sample/Time controlled *Beam Width/Diameter Strip Charts with Results X/Y M/m beam widths plots Beam Diameter plot Mean/Std Dev/Min/Max results displayed *Power/Energy Strip Charts Total Power/Energy plot Peak fluence plot Avg Power plot Mean/Std Dev/Min/Max results displayed *Elliptical Results Strip Chart Elliptical orientation plot Ellipticity plot Eccentricity plot Mean/Std Dev/Min/Max results displayed Utilizes advanced hardware accelerated graphics engines. All display windows can be satellited to utilize multiple display monitors. Can open one each simulaneous 2D and 3D beam Can veiw one diplay window in either 2D or 3D Can open multiple 2D and 3D display windows display windows Common color palette for 2D and 3D displays Common color palette for 2D and 3D displays 2D and 3D may render in different colors Can open X and/or Y 1D beam slice profiles overlaid Can overlay 1D slice profiles in the 2D display Can open X and/or Y 1D beam onto the 2D or 3D displays or in separate windows. window slice profiles in separate windows. Continuous software zooming in both 1D, 2D and 3D Software Zoom Magnification fixed to powers of 2x Continuous software zooming displays in all displays in both 1D and 3D displays but fixed scaling in 2D displays Pan to any detector location Pan to any detector location Pan to any detector location Continuous Z axis display magnitude scaling Z axis display magnitude scaling fixed to powers of 2x Multiple 128 color palettes user selectable Multiple 128 color palettes user selectable Single rainbow color palette, different in 2D and 3D *Able to partition the camera imager into multiple partitions with separate results. Available overlaid with 2D and 3D or in separate Overlayed onto 2D beam display only, not scalable Separte windows for each windows display and results X and Y plots on separate or combined displays 1D Gaussian fit to the profile with results X any Y plots on separate or combined displays 1D displays with basic results and column row 1D Tophat results on a line thru a drawn aperture 1D displays with basic results summing option and column row summing option Tophat 1D displays with Tophat results Profile display of the Gauss fit results 1D Gaussian fit to the profile Gaussian 1D displays with Gaussian fit results 1D Profile display of the Gauss fit results on 1D, 2D and 3D displays with results 1D Tophat results on a line thru a drawn aperture 111

12 2D Features 3D Features *Partitioning Statistical Analysis BeamGage LBA BeamStar Continuously zoomable and resizable displays in Continuously resizable and 2x power zoomable child Continuously resizable and floatable window window preset scaleable child window Continuous Z axis display magnitude scaling Software Zoom Magnification fixed to powers of 2x Beam is always auto scaled to in all displays the display palette Zoomable to subpixel resolution for origin and cursor Superimpossed display of reference beam or Multiple Point-to-point placements Gaussian fit distance measurements Pixel boundaries delinated at higher zoom Overlay grid for coarse measurements magnifications Adjustable Cursors that can track peak or centroid Adjustable Cursors that can track peak or centroid Adjustable Cursors that can track peak or centroid Adjustable Crosshairs that can track peak or Crosshairs for precise point-to-point distance Crosshair that can track peak, centroid measurements X that can track centroid Adjustable manual apertures Adjustable manual apertures Adjustable manual aperture (called ROI) Viewable Auto-aperture placement Displayed beam width marker Overlaid aperture shows graphical representation of Displayed beam width marker beam width calculation Integrated Mouse actuated pan/zoom controls Pan/Zoom window controls in separate child window Zoom controlled in tab, panning controlled in slider bars Separate 2D pan/zoom window to show current view in 2D beam display Manual or fixed origin placement Manual or fixed origin placement Origin fixed at center of display *Ability to create partitions using the manual aperture controls 3D graphics utilize solid surface construction with 3D graphics utilize wire frame construction with 3D Solid surface lighting and shading effects hidden line removal Integrated Mouse actuated pan/zoom/tilt/rotate Rotate/Tilt controls in separate child window Integrated Mouse actuated controls pan/zoom/tilt/rotate controls Selectable Mesh for drawing speed vs resolution Selectable wire frame density Selectable wire frame density control Continuously zoomable and resizable displays in Secondary display of reference beam or Gaussian fit floatable window Continuous Z axis display magnitude scaling User enabled backplanes with cursor projections Allows the user to subdivide the imager into separate beam measurement regions. All enabled results are computed inside of each partition. The manual aperture is used to define and create rectangular partions. Partitions must be aligned parallel with the X and Y axes. When partitioning is enabled some results items will no longer be permitted while some new results items will be enabled. Centroid measurements between beams in each partition can be performed. Partioned imagers must have a single origin common to all partitions. All coordinate results are globally referenced to this single origin. Individual partitions can be viewed in the 2D display window one at a time or all at once. The 3D display only operates globally. Performed on all measurement functions with on-screen display Performed on all measurement functions with onscreen display Choices of intervals Choices of intervals Manual start/stop Manual start/stop Time from 1 second to 1000 hours Time from 1 second to 1000 hours Frames from 2 to 99,999 Frames from 2 to 99,999 Measurements reported Measurements reported Current frame data, Mean, Standard Deviation, Current frame data, Mean, Standard Deviation, Minimum, Maximum of each calculation performed Minimum, Maximum of each calculation performed Controls integrated with beam stability results, Seprarate acquisition controls for pointing stability scatter and strip chart plots results User enabled backplanes with beam projections Limited to select results in Tophat and Beam Wander results items 112

13 File types Printing Pass/Fail Logging BeamGage LBA BeamStar Industry Standard HDF5 data and setup file format which are compatible in third party applications such as MatLab and Mathmatica Propriatary Data and Setup format Propriatary Data and Setup format Math program and Excel compatable csv results files Math program and Excel compatable csv results files Math program and Excel compatable csv results files Graphics in jpg, gif, tif, png, bmp Graphics in bmp Graphics in jpg, gif, tif, png, bmp #Legacy file compatability with LBA formats PDF Reports (a single file which allows the copy and paste of results, images and BeamGage settings to external applications) Microsoft HTML Format (MHT a single file which shows results, images and BeamStar settings) Images, reports, results, and setup information Images, reports, results, graphs, charts, statistics, Images, results, statistics and setup information setup information Option to print many frames in a single operation Option to print many frames in a single operation Single frame printing WYSIWYG images WYSIWYG images Set Maximum/Minimum limits on all calculations and Set Maximum/Minimum limits on most calculations Set Maximum/Minimum limits statistics on most calculations Red/Green font color indication on result items Red/Green font color indication on result items Red/Green font color indication on result items Multiple choices for indication of failed parameters, Multiple choices for indication of failed parameters, including TTL pulse for external alarm. including TTL pulse for external alarm. Master pass/fail which triggers alarm on any failure Master pass/fail which triggers alarm on any failure USB signal, beep, stop, and log alarm options USB signal, beep, stop, and log alarm options Video Data Logging Formats: HDF5, csv, math Video Data Logging Formats: propriatary binary, math program ASCII program ASCII Result Logging Formats: Math program and Excel Result Logging Formats: Math program and Excel compatable csv results compatable cma (csv) Picture Logging Formats: jpg, tif, gif, bmp, png Picture Logging Formats: bmp Chart Formats: csv, math program Cursor Data Cursor Data #Column & Row Sums Column & Row Sums #Reports Continuous Logging Continuous Logging Time Interval Logging Time Interval Logging Frame Count Logging Frame Count Logging Periodic Sampling Periodic Sampling Pass/Fail Sampling Filter Passed or Failed Frames Burst Sampling, after a user specified time interval, sample a user specified number of frames Exporting Convert frame buffer data to third party format Convert frame buffer data to third party format Export a user specified number of frames from the Export a user specified number of frames from the buffer buffer Export Video Data Formats: HDF5, csv, math program Export Video Data Formats: math program Export Result Formats: csv, math program Export Result Formats: cma(csv), math program Export Picture Format: jpg, tif, gif, bmp, png Export Picture Format: bmp Cursor Data Cursor Data #Column & Row Sums Column & Row Sums Automation Interface Fully functional Automation Interface with examples Limited Automation Interface with examples in (ActiveX) in LabVIEW, Excel, Visual Studio.Net C# & Visual LabVIEW, Excel & VB6 Studio.Net VB Automate launch and termination of the application Result Logging Formats: Math program and Excel compatable csv results Beam Wander Results: csv Limited Automation Interface with examples in LabVIEW, VB.NET & VB6 Automate launch and termination of the application Automate start, stop, Ultracal, Auto-X, Auto Setup Automate start, stop, Ultracal Automate the loading of application setups Automate the loading of application setups Automate control of all camera settings Automate a majority of the application features and Automate select application controls controls Automate the capture of Binary Video Data Automate the capture of Binary Video Data Automate the capture of Binary Video Data 113

14 BeamGage LBA BeamStar Automate the acquisition of aplication results Automate the acquisition of aplication results Automate the acquisition of aplication results Automate the acquisition of aplication Images Automate the acquisition of aplication Images Integrated Help PDF Operators Manual PDF Operators Manual PDF Operators Manual Context Sensitive Help Context Sensitive Hints Context Sensitive Hints Context Sensitive Hints Signal Conditioning for Enhanced Accuracy Background Subtraction Frame Averaging Frame Summing Convolution (Adjacent Pixel Averaging) Beam Maker Camera Features Spiricon s patented Ultracal enables more accurate beam measurement and display. Ultracal takes a multi- frame average of the baseline offset of each individual pixel to obtain a baseline accurate to approximately 1/8 of a digital count. This baseline offset is subtracted from each frame, pixel by pixel, to obtain a baseline correction accurate to 1/8 digital count. Spiricon s Ultracal method retains numbers less than zero that result from noise when the baseline is subtracted. Retaining fractional and negative numbers in the processed signal can increase the beam width measurement accuracy by up to 10X over conventional baseline subtraction and clip level methods. Spiricon's Ultracal conforms to the best method described in ISO :2004. Up to 256 frames can be averaged for a signal-tonoise ratio, S/N, improvement of up to 16X. (Noise is averaged up to 1/256th [8 fractional bits]) Data is processed and stored in a 32bit format. Up to 256 frames can be summed to pull very weak signals out of the noise. Due to the precise nature of Ultracal baseline setting, (i.e., a retention of both positive and negative noise components) summing of frames can be performed without generating a large offset in the baseline. Choice of 5 convolution algorithms for spatial filtering for both display and calculations. Spatial filtering improves the visual S/N. BeamMaker allows the user to model both Laguerre- Gaussian and Hermite-Gaussian laser beams in various modal configurations. With these models you have verification and validation tools that allow not only OSI but also the end user to verify BeamGage's basic beam width measurement algorithms. It can also be used to model laser beams with special input conditions such as signal-to-noise, background offset, and bits per pixel resolution. This allows the user to better understand the accuracy of measurements made under both optimum and adverse conditions. This tool provides the user with a method to validate algorithms against current ISO standards and methods. It can also be used to validate third party algorithms by making the output data available for use in third party applications. Camera features are governed by the capabilities of the various cameras that will interface with these software products, and second by which of these camera features are implemented in the software. This section will describe typical camera features supported in the application. Spiricon s patented Ultracal enables more accurate beam measurement and display. Ultracal takes a multi- frame average of the baseline offset of each individual pixel to obtain a baseline accurate to approximately 1/8 of a digital count. This baseline offset is subtracted from each frame, pixel by pixel, to obtain a baseline correction accurate to 1/8 digital count. Spiricon s Ultracal method retains numbers less than zero that result from noise when the baseline is subtracted. Retaining fractional and negative numbers in the processed signal can increase the beam width measurement accuracy by up to 10X over conventional baseline subtraction and clip level methods. Spiricon's Ultracal conforms to the best method described in ISO :2004. Up to 256 frames can be averaged for a signal-tonoise ratio, S/N, improvement of up to 16X. (Noise is averaged up to 1/32nd [5 fractional bits] and the 32 bit processing memory is used to retain large sums before division.) Up to 256 frames can be summed to pull very weak signals out of the noise. Due to the precise nature of Ultracal baseline setting, (i.e., a retention of both positive and negative noise components) summing of frames can be performed without generating a large offset in the baseline. Choice of 5 convolution algorithms for spatial filtering for both display and calculations. Spatial filtering improves the visual S/N. Frame grabber models of LBA support additional external trigger and strobe output modes connected to the frame grabber and not the camera. Frame grabber products are in "end of life" phase and are not covered in this comparison. Frame averaging Black Level Control (used by Ultracal and Auto-X and Auto-setup) Black Level Control (used by Ultracal) Black Level Control (manual or auto control) Gain Control (used by Auto-X and Auto-setup) Gain Control Gain Control (manual or auto control) Exposure Control (used by Auto-X and Auto-setup) Exposure Control Exposure Control (manual or auto control) User Programmable ROI User Programmable ROI User Programmable ROI 114

15 Camera related features in the applications Trigger, Capture and Synchronization Methods BeamGage LBA BeamStar Pixel Binning Pixel Binning Pixel Sampling Pixel Sampling Bits per pixel setting Bits per pixel setting Bits per pixel setting External Trigger Input External Trigger Input External Trigger Input Trigger Delay Trigger Delay Strobe Output Strobe Output Strobe Output Strobe Delay Strobe Delay External Trigger Probe External Trigger Probe External Trigger Probe Internal Trigger Probe These are features related to but not generally dependant upon the camera design. Gamma Correction Gamma Correction Gain Correction Gain Correction Bad Pixel Correction Lens Applied Option Lens Applied Option Pixel scale settings Pixel scale settings Magnification settings Magnification settings Magnification settings Frame buffer settings Frame buffer settings Frame buffer settings Ultracal Ultracal Enable Auto-X (auto exposure control) Enable auto-, exposure/gain/ black level Perform an Auto-Setup 8/10/12/14/16 bits per pixel 8/10/12/14 bits per pixel 8/10/12 bits per pixel Select Format or ROI Select Format or ROI Select Format Measure S/N ratio Measure S/N ratio Capture methods are features related to the application while Synchronization methods relate more to the abilities of the specific camera. NOTE: Frame capture rates are determined by many factors and are not guaranteed for any specific operating configuration. Trigger modes Trigger modes Trigger modes CW - captures continuously, see Continuous below CW - captures continuously at the camera frame CW - captures continuously rate at the camera frame rate Trigger-In from laser: Trigger pulses supplied to Trigger-In from laser Trigger-In from laser the camera Strobe-Out to laser: Strobe pulses output from the Strobe-Out to laser Trigger-Out to laser camera Video Trigger: Frame captured and displayed only Video Trigger. Display and calculations update only Video Trigger. Display and when the camera sees a signal greater than a user when the camera captures a signal greater than a calculations update only when set level user set level the camera captures a signal greater than a user set level Capture options Capture options Capture options Capture options are redefined and are approached Continuous Continuous in a different manner than older products. The items listed below will allow for all of the previous methods but with more flexability than ever before. Results Priority: Results priority will slow the capture rate to be in sync with the computational results Single shot and display updates. Frame Priority: Frame priority will slow results and Live Video (Displays at camera rate without display updating to insure that frames are collected calculations or storage of frames) and stored in the frame buffer as fast as possible. (replaces block mode) Stop After: Will collect a set number of frames and Block Mode (Captures frames at camera rate then stop (replaces Single-Shot mode) without display) Periodic: Will collect frame at a programmed Post processing (Processes a block of frames periodic rate. previously captured) Periodic Burst: Will collect frames in a Burst at programmed periodic rates Single shot 115

16 BeamGage LBA BeamStar Post processing is still available but is done via a different mechanism and is limited to only data file sources. Video Playback Video playback, post processing and post analysis Data file playback, post processing and post analysis Video playback with post anaysis User customizable playback rates User customizable playback rates Video file quick pan/search controls Whole video file playback looping with sub-selection looping Frame buffer one pass playback with sub-selection options Whole video file playback looping only Playback Video produced by logging Playback data files produced by logging Almost all measurements can be performed on video files Almost all measurements can be performed on data files Almost all measurements can be performed on video files System Requirements PC computer running Vista-32 or -64, Laptop or Desktop PC computer w/windows 2000, XP Pro, or Vista-32, Laptop or Desktop PC computer w/windows XP Pro, or Vista-32, Laptop or Desktop GHz Pentium style processor, dual core GHz Pentium style processor GHz Pentium style processor recommended Minimum 2GB RAM for standard and 3-4GB for Professional and Enterprise versions Minimum 1GB RAM for XP, 2GB for Vista-32 Minimum 1GB RAM for XP, 2GB for Vista-32 Accelerated Graphics Processor Plug & Play compatible Plug & Play compatible Hard drive space suitable to hold the amount of video data you expect to store. ( GB recommended) Hard drive space suitable to hold the amount of video data you expect to store. ( GB recommended) Hard drive space suitable to hold the amount of video data you expect to store. ( Provision for PCI-Express, Firewire, or USB2 input depending on camera * features in Professional version ** features in Enterprise version # future releases Provision for PCI, PCI-Express, Firewire, or USB2 input depending on camera GB recommended) Provision for Firewire or USB2 input depending on camera Ordering Information Item Description P/N USB2 Beam Profiler Systems (camera and software) BG-USB-SP503 BeamGage software, software license, ½ format 640x480 pixel camera with 4.5mm CCD recess. Comes with USB SP90197 cable and 3 ND filters LBA-USB-SP503 Same as above, except with LBA software SP90152 BS-USB-SP503 Same as above, except with BeamStar software SP90153 BG-USB-SP BeamGage software, software license, ½ format 640x480 pixel camera with 4.5mm CCD recess. Phosphor coated to SP nm. Comes with USB cable and 3 ND filters LBA-USB-SP Same as above, except with LBA software SP90179 BG-USB-SP620 BeamGage software, software license, 1/1.8 format 1600x1200 pixel camera with 4.5mm CCD recess. Comes with SP90199 USB and cable and 3 ND filters LBA-USB-SP620 Same as above, except with LBA software SP90154 BS-USB-SP620 Same as above, except with BeamStar software SP90155 BG-USB-SP BeamGage software, software license, 1/1.8 format 1616x1216 pixel camera with 4.5mm CCD recess. Phosphor SP90200 coated to 1550 nm. Comes with USB and cable, 3 ND filters LBA-USB-SP Same as above, except with LBA software SP90180 BG-USB-L11058 BeamGage software, software license, 35mm format 4008x2672 pixel CCD camera. Comes with universal power SP90201 supply, USB and trigger cable, 3 ND Filters LBA-USB-L11058 Same as above, except with LBA software SP90182 Firewire Beam Profiler Systems (camera and software) BG-FWB-GRAS20,DESKTOP BeamGage software, software license, 1/1.8 format 1600x b camera with 17.5mm C-mount recess. Comes SP90202D with 1394b and trigger cable, PCI-Express interface card and 3 ND filters. Desktop model LBA-FWB-GRAS20,DESKTOP Same as above, except with LBA software. Desktop model SP90162D BG-FWB-GRAS20,LAPTOP BeamGage software, software license, 1/1.8 format 1600x b camera with 17.5mm C-mount recess. Comes SP90202L with 1394b and trigger cable, Laptop PCI-Express interface, power supply and 3 ND filters. Laptop Model LBA-FWB-GRAS20,LAPTOP Same as above, except with LBA software. Laptop model SP90162L BG-FWB-GRAS ,DESKTOP LBA-FWB-GRAS ,DESKTOP BeamGage software, software license, 1/1.8 format 1600x1200 Phosphor coated 1550nm sensor, 1394b camera with 17.5mm C-mount recess. Comes with 1394b and trigger cable, PCI-Express interface card and 3 ND filters. Desktop model Same as above, except with LBA software. Desktop model SP90203D SP90163D 116

17 Ordering Information Item Description P/N BG-FWB-GRAS ,LAPTOP BeamGage software, software license, 1/1.8 format 1600x1200 Phosphor coated 1550nm sensor 1394b camera with SP90203L 17.5mm C-mount recess. Comes with 1394b and trigger cable, PCI-Express interface card and 3 ND filters. Laptop Model LBA-FWB-GRAS20- Same as above, except with LBA software. Laptop model SP90163L 1550,LAPTOP Phosphor Coated RS-170 Cameras SP-1550M ½ format 640x480 pixel camera with 1550 Phosphor coated NIR sensor 17.5mm CCD recess. Comes with power SP90051 supply and 3 ND filters. PC Accessories for Cameras PCI-Express Firewire 1394a/b PCI-Express, IEEE 1394a/b Firewire card for installation to desktop PC s. Compatible with all BeamGage and LBA SP90164 Desktop Card Firewire systems. CardBus Firewire 1394a/b CardBus (PCMCIA) IEEE 1394a/b Firewire card for installation on a laptop. Compatible with all BeamGage and LBA SP90165 Adapter Firewire systems. PCI-Express/34 Firewire 1394b PCI-Express/34, IEEE 1394b Firewire card for installation in Laptop PC s. Card has two 1394b compatible ports. SP90206 Laptop Card Includes power supply. Compatible with all BeamGage and LBA Firewire systems 1394b Firewire Cable 1394b Firewire cable, 4.5 meter length SP a/b Adapter Cable 1394a-6 to 1394b-9 adaptor cable, 4.5 meter length SP b Firewire Power Supply External Wall cube power supply for 1394b CardBus and PCI-Express/34 Laptop Adapters. SP90167 USB A-B Cable USB Cable with A to B connectors, 5 meter length SP90204 USB A-mini B Cable USB Cable with A to mini-b connectors, 5 meter length SP90205 Optical Synch for Pulsed Lasers Optical Trigger for FX and SP Cameras Optical trigger assembly which can be mounted on camera or separately to sense laser pulses and synchronize FX and SP cameras with pulses. Comes with a BNC cable to for mounting on camera and a stand for mounting separately. SPZ17005 Pyrocam III Beam Profiler Systems PY-III-P-A Pyroelectric array detector, pulsed only, Grade A, two Firewire ports, and basic viewer software. LBA-PC-PIII SP90090 software included. To complete this order, you must add an Interchangeable Window part number to accompany this system (see below). PY-III-P-B Pyroelectric array detector, pulsed only, Grade B, two Firewire ports, and basic viewer software. LBA-PC-PIII SP90091 software included. To complete this order, you must add aninterchangeable Window part number to accompany this system (see below). PY-III-C-A Pyroelectric array detector, chopped and pulsed, Grade A, two Firewire ports, and basic viewer software. LBA- SP90092 PC-PIII software included. To complete this order, you must add an Interchangeable Window part number to accompany this system (see below). PY-III-C-B Pyroelectric array detector, chopped and pulsed, Grade B, two Firewire ports, and basic viewer software. LBA- SP90093 PC-PIII software included. To complete this order, you must add an Interchangeable Window part number to accompany this system (see below). LBA-PC-PIII Full-featured Laser Beam Analysis software for Pyrocam III SP90086 Interchangeable Windows for Pyrocam III (one included free with the purchase of a Pyrocam III Beam Profiler System) PY-III-W-BK Pyrocam III Window BK7 A/R coated to 1064nm SP90101 PY-III-W-Si Pyrocam III Window Silicon A/R coated to μm SP90102 PY-III-W-Si Pyrocam III Window Silicon A/R coated to 2.5 4μm SP90103 PY-III-W-Ge Pyrocam III Window Germanium A/R coated to 3 5.5μm SP90104 PY-III-W-Ge-10.6 Pyrocam III Window Germanium A/R coated to 10.6μm SP90105 PY-III-W-Ge-8-12 Pyrocam III Window Germanium A/R coated to 8 12μm SP90106 PY-III-W-ZnSe-10.6 Pyrocam III Window Zinc Selenide A/R coated to 10.6μm SP90107 PY-III-W-ZnSe-2-5 Pyrocam III Window Zinc Selenide A/R coated to 2 5μm SP90108 PY-III-W-Poly-THz Pyrocam III Window Polyethylene uncoated for Tera-Hz wavelengths SP

Cross hairs for vertical and horizontal profiles. Profile can be linked to cross hair position, centroid, peak or sum profile can be displayed

Cross hairs for vertical and horizontal profiles. Profile can be linked to cross hair position, centroid, peak or sum profile can be displayed 3.1.2 Laser Beam Analysis Systems 3.1.2.2 BeamStar Greatest ease of use Automated operation Effortless report generation Start/stop measurement Background subtraction for improved accuracy measurements