MKS Ophir Spiricon BeamWatch Standard Quick start guide

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Ophir BeamWatch®Standard
User Notes

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Dear Ophir-Spiricon Customer,
Thank you for your recent purchase of the BeamWatch system.
At Ophir-Spiricon we strive to provide the highest level of leading edge photonic measurement technology and service
possible. We hope that your experience with us is a pleasant one, and anticipate the relationship we build will serve your
photonic measurement needs for years to come.
As a valued customer, your comments and opinions are always very important to us. If you have any concerns, questions,
or comments, bring them to our service department’s attention. We are ready to help with everything from basic setup to
working with you to find solutions for your most complex photonics measurement needs.
Please let us know if there is any way we can be of service. Thank you once again for your business.
Sincerely,
Ophir-Spiricon, LLC
Ophir-Spiricon, LLC
3050 North 300 West
North Logan, UT 84341, USA
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.ophiropt.com/photonics

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How to Use this Guide
Symbol Notation
Indicates general information that poses no risk.
Indicates important information about the product with little or no risk.
Indicates warning information. Failure to follow instruction may result in harm to the user or product damage.

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Safety
While BeamWatch itself does not present the user with any safety hazards, this instrument is intended for use
with laser systems. Therefore, the user should be protected from any hazards that the laser system may
present. The greatest hazards associated with laser systems are damage to the eyes and skin due to laser
radiation.
Optical Radiation Hazards
BeamWatch is designed for use with high power lasers and therefore safety precautions must be
taken. Users must be protected against accidental exposure. Exposure to personnel other than the
user must also be considered. Hazards include direct beam exposure and reflected radiation.
Protective eye shields and clothing must be worn.
Electrical Hazards
BeamWatch utilizes only low voltages, derived from the Ethernet and camera power supplies. Thus
there is little risk of electrical shock presented to the user.
When installing or removing any hardware from a PC, the power to the computer should always be
disconnected.
The computer should always be operated with its covers in place and in accordance with its
manufacturer’s recommendations.
The computer should always be operated with a properly grounded AC power cord.

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Chapter 1 Information
1.1 Introduction
BeamWatch is the laser industry’s first completely non-interfering beam monitoring system, which allows beam
measurements without contacting the laser beam. Measurements are taken by imaging the Rayleigh scatter of the beam
from the side using conventional cameras making BeamWatch ideal for measurements of high power lasers. Ophir-
Spiricon has measured beams up to 100 kilowatts.
BeamWatch provides simultaneous measurements of multiple profiles along the beam caustic in the camera field-of-view
(FOV). The speed of measurement operates at video rates allowing for real-time determination of:
•waist (focus spot) width and location
•focal shift
•centroid
•M2 or K
•divergence
•Beam Parameter Product
•Rayleigh length
•relative power
Real-time performance also allows for measurement of dynamic focal shift during laser startup.
The technique is based on Rayleigh scattering of laser light by oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the air as the beam
propagates. Measurement of this scattered light provides an equivalent slit scan of the laser beam in the direction of the
view observed. The scattered light is measured using conventional CCDs and image capture systems.
BeamWatch has GigE connectivity to standard personal computers for data acquisition, analysis, and display.

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¼” Polyurethane tubing 10ft
BeamWatch Standard
Alignment tools
Ethernet Cable 4.5m
Gigabit to USB 3.0
Adapter
Power Supply Cable
Power Supply Adapter Kit
User documentation:
•
•
•
•
Alignment tool User Notes
Calibration Certificate
Gig-E Camera User Notes
Quick Start Guide
BeamWatch Software
Installation Disk
1.1.1 Equipment

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1.2 Optional Equipment
Additional Optional equipment (Not Pictured)
We recommend one or more of these additional products.
•BeamWatch rotation mount (SP90346)
•Locking Ethernet cable (SP90394)
•10kW water cooled power sensor
•30kW water cooled power sensor
•100kW water circulated power sensor
•Juno PC interface
Consult your Ophir-Spiricon Representative or call Ophir-Spiricon’s Sales Department for ordering information.
1.3 Specifications
Wavelength
980 –1080 nanometers
Minimum Power density
~2 Megawatts/cm2
Minimum Focus Spot
SP90390
SP90391
155 microns
55 microns
Maximum Beam diameter
at entrance/exit
12.5 millimeters
Communication to PC
GigE Ethernet
Power
12 Volts DC, 1.67 Amps max
Particulate Purge
~10 SLPM (35 PSI / 2.5 BAR) Air,
Nitrogen, or Argon. 1/4" hose fitting
included.
Camera Field of View inside the BeamWatch unit
SP90390 (Dual Axis)
32.17mm x 8.55mm
SP90391 (Dual Axis)
11.26mm x 2.99mm

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1.4 Operating Limits
The graphics below are intended to give a visual indication of the recommended operating space for BeamWatch. If
BeamWatch is operated outside of this space, it may be more difficult to see the curvature of the caustic or the beam may
be large enough at the edges of the image that it is out of focus.
•Optimal has at least 3 Rayleigh lengths on both sides of the waist, with the waist at the center of the image
•Near Optimal has at least 3 Rayleigh lengths on one side of the waist, with the waist at the end of the image
•Acceptable has at least 1.5 Rayleigh lengths on both sides of the waist, with the waist at the center of the image
When using these graphics, take the M2 value and
reference it against the waist width of the beam.
If the beam falls within the plotted areas, then it is within
the range for BeamWatch to give stronger results.
Use caution as the beam falls into the Acceptable range;
these results are not as strong.

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Power density also plays a role in the operating space. The chart below shows the required power vs. focus spot size for a
top hat beam.
The equation to estimate the maximum spot size is derived from the power density equation:
  


   

Where Pave is the average beam power and AD4is the area of the beam at the  location.

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Chapter 2 Hardware Configuration
This chapter walks through how to setup and start using your BeamWatch.
2.1 BeamWatch Standard Mounting
The BeamWatch unit must be mounted to a stable surface where
the laser can pass through the entrance and exit apertures
unobstructed.
The center of the entrance aperture is located 50mm from the
crosshair marked on the top of the camera (see image right).
Position the BeamWatch unit at the nominal focus position along
the laser axis, and make sure the beam waist is as close to the
camera axis as possible.
There is a scribe mark on the side of the camera that references
this position. The calibrated distance from the top of the
BeamWatch to the center of the detector array can be found on
the calibration sticker.
To obtain results within ±5% accuracy, the camera must be
aligned perpendicular to the beam with minimal tilt (<5°) in all
directions and the beam must lie in the plane of the camera focus. Use
either a translation stage or the laser robotics to facilitate the
positioning of the beam in the camera focus plane.
Once in the desired location, secure the unit with four ¼-20 or M6
screws in the slots, two on each side. If not mounted in a fixed position,
measurement error and/or damage to the unit may occur.

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After the BeamWatch is mounted, measure the
distance from any desired reference point on the
laser delivery head to the top face of the camera as
shown right. This value is the Distance of the laser
and must be entered into the software during setup
(see section 4.4.2 in the BeamWatch Software User
Guide).
2.1.1 Mounting for Elliptical Beams
There is no automated method for finding the major and minor axes of an
elliptical beam. The BeamWatch unit must be manually rotated to find these
axes. A rotation mount (SP90346) is available as an accessory to assist in this
alignment. After the software is installed and the beam is centered in the
BeamWatch unit, rotate the unit around the beam while viewing the Waist
Width result in the software until max/min values are found. For best
measurements with dual axis BeamWatch units, rotate the BeamWatch until the
major and minor axes of the beam are aligned with the X and Y axes of the
software. It is irrelevant which of the BeamWatch axes views the major or minor
axes of the beam.
2.1.2 Beam Dump
A suitable beam dump is required. An Ophir Power Sensor rated for the power of the laser is recommended. Other options
are acceptable, but must have minimal backscatter, such as a cone type or black absorber power sensor. Contact your
Ophir-Spiricon representative for additional information.

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2.1.3 Particulate Removal
The industrial laser environment has high levels of
particulates that must be removed from the camera FOV to
obtain accurate results. With BeamWatch, this is
accomplished by generating a laminar flow region at the
camera FOV using a clean, dry gas source. Air, Nitrogen, or
Argon is recommended. Connect the provided ¼” hose to
the gas source as shown in the diagram right.
2.1.4 BeamWatch Electrical
1. Connect the provided power cord to the power
port on the BeamWatch unit.
2. Connect the remaining end into a surge
protected 100-240 VAC outlet.
3. Connect one end of the provided Ethernet
cable to the data source on the BeamWatch
unit.
4. Connect the remaining end into an Ethernet
port on the PC, or connect to the Gigabit to
USB Adapter and connect the adapter to a USB
3.0 port.
Two plugs are provided to keep dust out of the BeamWatch system. Make sure both of these plugs
are removed before applying laser.

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2.1.5 Laser Setup
1. After installing and launching the software apply the
purge gas at approximately 10 SLPM (35 PSI/2.5 BAR) and
remove the dust caps from the BeamWatch STD unit.
(Applying the gas before removing the dust caps helps
prevent dust from entering the unit.)
2. Apply the guide beam.
2.1.6 Alignment
BeamWatch contains two alignment tool accessories; one is
designed to be inserted from the top and the other from the
bottom. For accurate results the beam must be aligned with the
center of the input aperture, perpendicular to the top of the unit.
A beam offset in any direction can produce inaccurate results.
This is especially important when used with the optional rotation
mount accessory.
The alignment tool is provided for use with low
power alignment beams only. Do not use with
high power beams.
Using the alignment tool:
1. Determine which tool to use.
a. Use the bottom mount tool if the beam is directed
horizontally, or if there is a short working distance
between the delivery head and the top of the
BeamWatch unit.
b. Use the top mount tool if the beam dump or
power sensor is located close to the bottom of the
BeamWatch, or if the BeamWatch is contained in
an environment where the bottom is inaccessible.

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2. Insert the alignment tool into the BeamWatch with the
cutout side facing the camera as shown. Ensure the
alignment tool is flush with the top.
3. Start the BeamWatch software and enable the Crosshair
located at the top of the 2D Beam Display window.
4. Turn on the alignment beam and center it on the
alignment tool by adjusting either the beam or the
BeamWatch unit, with the beam perpendicular to the
BeamWatch as shown below.
The BeamWatch alignment tool is intended for
use with low power alignment beams. Severe
damage can occur if the high power beam is
directed when the alignment tool is in place.

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5. The beam is displayed in the BeamWatch software as an ellipse as shown in the images below. It may be necessary
to adjust the Exposure and/or Frame Summing to bring the alignment beam to a viewable level.
6. If the beam is centered on the crosshair as shown in the properly centered example, the beam is aligned. If the
beam is not centered, adjust the angle the beam enters the BeamWatch. The following illustrations show beam
deviations and the resulting displays.
Note: The angle of the beam is exaggerated for clarity.

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2.1.7 Final Setup Steps
1. Once the beam is aligned remove the alignment tool and switch from the guide beam to the high power beam.
2. Enable live Playback from the Source Ribbon in the software.
3. Adjust the gas level until a minimum
amount of particulates can be seen. This
may be an iterative process. Particulates
appear as a streak of high intensity light
when viewing the beam, often saturating
the image. A weak flow is not effective, and
too strong of a flow can become turbulent.
4. Check the 2D Beam Display and make sure
the beam falls within the Focal Plane
Region Bounds (±350µm for High Mag
units, and ±1000µm for Low Mag units).
The beam should be aligned within these
bounds, in both views, to get the strongest
results.
The diagram below shows how various degrees of misaligned beams appear on the screen.
The red beam is off in the view of the Y axis. It needs to be moved down and left to center.
The blue beam is off in both axes and appears close to the insides of the views. It needs to be moved up to
center.
The purple beam is off in the view of the X axis. It needs to be moved down and right to center.
The green beam represents a perfectly aligned beam.
The orange lines represent the field of view of each axis.

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2.1.8 Ending a Run
1. After data collection has completed turn off the beam.
2. Re-insert the dust caps on the unit.
3. Turn off the purge gas. (Always turn the purge gas off after the
dust caps have been re-inserted.)
4. If needed disconnect the purge gas and electrical connections,
and remove the unit from the working area.

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Chapter 3 Dimensions

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Notes:

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Notice
© 2020 Ophir-Spiricon, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Ophir-Spiricon, LLC reserves the right to make
improvements in the product described in this User Guide at any time and without notice.
All rights to the product and any accompanying operator’s manuals are reserved. While every precaution
has been taken in the preparation of this product, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for
errors, omissions, or any loss of data because of said errors or omissions.
Ophir-Spiricon LLC
3050 North 300 West
North Logan, UT 84341
For Sales, Service or Technical Support
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
E-mail: service.ophi[email protected]om
For latest version, please visit our website: www.ophiropt.com/photonics
© Copyright 2020, Ophir-Spiricon LLC, N. Logan, UT