OPHIR BeamSquared User manual

BeamSquared®
User Guide
Beam Propagation Analyzer
For Windows 7®
and Window 10®64 BIT
For Sales, Service or Technical Support
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Service Email
[e-mail]
Sales Email
[e-mail]
Ophir-Spiricon, LLC
3050 North 300 West
North Logan, Utah 84341
©2019 Ophir-Spiricon, LLC

Dear Ophir-Spiricon Customer,
Thank you for your recent purchase of the BeamSquared 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.
Thank you once again for your business and please let us know if we can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Ophir-Spiricon, LLC
Ophir-Spiricon, LLC
3050 North 300 West
North Logan, UT 84341, USA
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.ophiropt.com/photonics

How to Use this Guide
It is recommended that users review this guide before setting up and using the BeamSquared system. This
guide will assist users in becoming familiar with the M2measurement theory as well as acquire a basic
understanding of the BeamSquared operation. Furthermore, familiarity with this guide will aid the user with
system alignment and interpretation of M2results.
BeamSquared Measurements are based on beam propagation theory and employ ISO measurement standards.
Users who are unfamiliar with beam propagation theory or those who wish to have a refresher on
these concepts please review Chapters 5 and 6.
Chapter 1 General Information –Contains safety warnings, technical information, and specifications for
hardware and software.
Chapter 2 Setup –Contains information on how to setup the BeamSquared hardware and software.
Chapter 3 Operating Controls and User Interface –Describes the controls and displays within the
BeamSquared software. It is recommended to become familiar with these and their meaning before
attempting to operate the BeamSquared system.
Chapter 4 Operation –Details the operating modes and how to use the BeamSquared System.
Chapter 5 M2Theory and Tutorial –Presents a tutorial on M2theory, practical insights behind the
propagation measurements and the ISO measurement methods, and a description of the features in the
BeamSquared software.
Chapter 6 M2Computations –Contains computational information on how M2is calculated.
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting –Contains troubleshooting tips and how to respond to error messages.
Chapter 8 BeamSquared Automation Interface –Provides details of the BeamSquared Automation
Server properties, methods, and events.
Chapter 9 Manual M2Measurements –Presents set up instructions and details the manual mode
operation.
Appendix A Lens Calibration Adjustments –Contains lens wavelength correction information for Plano-
convex lenses.
Appendix B Warranty –Contains warranty information.
Appendix C BeamSquared Supported Cameras –Contains a list of cameras supported by BeamSquared
with links to the camera specifications.
Appendix D Camera Information –Contains camera-specific controls and features.
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.
Indicates that the instruction refers to operating BeamSquared in Manual Mode.

Table of Contents
How to Use this Guide.............................................................................................................................. 3
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 1 General Information ........................................................................................................... 11
Safety...................................................................................................................................... 111.1
BeamSquared Model Numbers ................................................................................................... 121.2
BeamSquared Manual Mode Models..................................................................................... 121.2.1
Automated BeamSquared Models ........................................................................................ 121.2.2
Specifications ........................................................................................................................... 131.3
BeamSquared Optical Train Dimensions...................................................................................... 151.4
Software Information................................................................................................................ 161.5
Chapter 2 Setup................................................................................................................................ 17
Equipment ............................................................................................................................... 172.1
BeamSquared Software Installation............................................................................................ 172.2
Prepare the BeamSquared for Operation..................................................................................... 182.3
Mount the Optical Train ...................................................................................................... 182.3.1
Install the Camera.............................................................................................................. 192.3.2
Connect BeamSquared ....................................................................................................... 202.3.3
External Attenuation of the Beam............................................................................................... 21
2.4
Attenuation ....................................................................................................................... 222.4.1
Beams < 1 Watt ............................................................................................................. 222.4.1.1
Beams < 400 Watts ........................................................................................................ 222.4.1.2
Beams < 2000 Watts ...................................................................................................... 222.4.1.3
Beams > 2000 Watts ...................................................................................................... 222.4.1.4
Beam Alignment and Setup for Auto Mode.................................................................................. 222.5
Distance from Laser ........................................................................................................... 232.5.1
Initial Setup and Rough Beam Alignment ............................................................................. 242.5.2
Live Playback.................................................................................................................. 242.5.2.1
External Steering Mirrors ................................................................................................. 242.5.2.2
Laser Mounting Height .................................................................................................... 242.5.2.3
Gunsight Alignment Tool ................................................................................................. 242.5.2.4
Precision Beam Alignment................................................................................................... 262.5.3
Ghost Beams.................................................................................................................. 272.5.3.1

Beam Axial Alignment......................................................................................................... 282.5.4
Step Size and Start/Stop Selection ............................................................................................. 292.6
Chapter 3 Operating Controls and User Interface ................................................................................. 30
User Interface .......................................................................................................................... 303.1
Title Bar ............................................................................................................................ 303.1.1
Ribbon Tab........................................................................................................................ 313.1.2
Ribbon Bar ........................................................................................................................ 313.1.3
Panels............................................................................................................................... 313.1.4
Display Area ...................................................................................................................... 313.1.5
Status Bar ......................................................................................................................... 313.1.6
Application Tools ...................................................................................................................... 323.2
File Access Window ............................................................................................................ 323.2.1
TIFF Image Format......................................................................................................... 333.2.1.1
Exporting TIFF Images for use with HDF5.................................................................... 333.2.1.1.1
Show/Hide Ribbon Bar........................................................................................................ 343.2.2
Ribbon Group Visibility........................................................................................................ 343.2.3
Run Ribbon.............................................................................................................................. 353.3
Live Playback..................................................................................................................... 353.3.1
Start ................................................................................................................................. 353.3.2
Configure .......................................................................................................................... 35
3.3.3
Info .................................................................................................................................. 353.3.4
Mode ................................................................................................................................ 363.3.5
Boundary Check................................................................................................................. 363.3.6
Real Time M2..................................................................................................................... 363.3.7
Load and Save................................................................................................................... 363.3.8
Abort Run.......................................................................................................................... 373.3.9
Finish Run ......................................................................................................................... 373.3.10
Table Ribbon............................................................................................................................ 373.4
Rail................................................................................................................................... 373.4.1
Attenuation ....................................................................................................................... 383.4.2
Table Info ......................................................................................................................... 383.4.3
Lens Info........................................................................................................................... 383.4.4
Source Ribbon.......................................................................................................................... 383.5
Data Source....................................................................................................................... 383.5.1

Exposure........................................................................................................................... 393.5.2
Gamma ............................................................................................................................. 393.5.3
Trigger.............................................................................................................................. 393.5.4
Trigger Pyrocam ................................................................................................................ 403.5.5
Camera Info ...................................................................................................................... 403.5.6
Data Ribbon............................................................................................................................. 403.6
Data Logging..................................................................................................................... 413.6.1
Report............................................................................................................................... 413.6.2
Views Ribbon ........................................................................................................................... 443.7
2D Beam Display................................................................................................................ 443.7.1
Measured Caustic Display ................................................................................................... 443.7.2
3D Beam Display................................................................................................................ 453.7.3
Run Steps.......................................................................................................................... 463.7.4
Results.............................................................................................................................. 473.7.5
Result Settings ............................................................................................................... 503.7.5.1
Positional Stability .............................................................................................................. 513.7.6
Interface Customization ............................................................................................................ 533.8
Docking Handles ................................................................................................................ 533.8.1
Chapter 4 Operation.......................................................................................................................... 54
Operating Modes ...................................................................................................................... 54
4.1
Automated Stepping........................................................................................................... 544.1.1
Automated ISO Setup......................................................................................................... 544.1.2
Four Cuts Method............................................................................................................... 554.1.3
When to use the Four-Cuts method.................................................................................. 564.1.3.1
Four-Cuts on Two Axes ................................................................................................... 564.1.3.2
Step Table......................................................................................................................... 574.1.4
Real Time M2Mode ............................................................................................................ 574.1.5
BeamSquared Operation ........................................................................................................... 584.2
Configuration Wizard.......................................................................................................... 584.2.1
Step by Step Wizard........................................................................................................... 624.2.2
Data Collection in Auto Mode..................................................................................................... 654.3
Useful Operations and Functions................................................................................................ 654.4
Z Locations........................................................................................................................ 654.4.1
Plotted Curve Fit ................................................................................................................ 654.4.2

Exclude Data Points............................................................................................................ 664.4.3
Interpreting Results............................................................................................................ 664.4.4
Divergence..................................................................................................................... 674.4.4.1
Chapter 5 M2Tutorial and Theory ....................................................................................................... 68
Introduction to M2.................................................................................................................... 685.1
M2< 1..................................................................................................................................... 685.2
Laser Beam Parameters ............................................................................................................ 695.3
An M2Tutorial .......................................................................................................................... 705.4
The Transforming Lens....................................................................................................... 715.4.1
Beam Width Measurement Criteria....................................................................................... 725.4.2
Spot Size and Resolution .................................................................................................... 735.4.3
Attenuation and Distortions................................................................................................. 765.4.4
M2Theory of Operation............................................................................................................. 765.5
Operation Limitations................................................................................................................ 775.6
Electro-Mechanical Operation..................................................................................................... 775.7
Data Collection ......................................................................................................................... 785.8
Chapter 6 M2Computations................................................................................................................ 79
Curve Fitting ............................................................................................................................ 796.1
M2, K Factor, and BPP......................................................................................................... 796.1.1
Translation Equations ......................................................................................................... 79
6.1.2
Full Divergence Angle...................................................................................................... 796.1.2.1
Waist Width ................................................................................................................... 806.1.2.2
Waist Location................................................................................................................ 816.1.2.3
Waist Location Relative to Principal Plane .................................................................... 816.1.2.3.1
Waist Location Relative to Laser Aperture .................................................................... 826.1.2.3.2
Rayleigh Range.................................................................................................................. 826.1.3
Astigmatism and Asymmetry ............................................................................................... 836.1.4
Focal Length Calculation ..................................................................................................... 836.1.5
Path Length Calibration Values ............................................................................................ 846.1.6
Z Lens ........................................................................................................................... 856.1.6.1
Z Fixture ........................................................................................................................ 856.1.6.2
Z Camera ....................................................................................................................... 856.1.6.3
BeamSquared Distance....................................................................................................... 866.1.7
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting................................................................................................................. 88

Setup and Startup Problems ...................................................................................................... 887.1
Operation Problems .................................................................................................................. 897.2
Chapter 8 BeamSquared Automation Interface .................................................................................... 91
Evolution of the Automation Interface ........................................................................................ 918.1
Recommended Skill Set............................................................................................................. 918.2
Documentation......................................................................................................................... 928.3
Examples ................................................................................................................................. 928.4
Chapter 9 Manual M2Measurements ................................................................................................... 93
Electro-Mechanical Operation..................................................................................................... 939.1
Spot Size Resolution ................................................................................................................. 939.2
Manual Mode ........................................................................................................................... 969.3
Optical Rail Setup............................................................................................................... 969.3.1
Beam Alignment and Setup for Manual Mode........................................................................ 979.3.2
Adjusting Beam Alignment .................................................................................................. 989.3.3
Step by Step Wizard........................................................................................................... 999.3.4
Exposure......................................................................................................................... 1019.3.5
Appendix A Lens Calibration Adjustments ............................................................................................ 102
A.1 Plano convex Lens Calibration.................................................................................................. 102
A.2 Refractive Index of Common Lens Materials.............................................................................. 103
Appendix B Warranty......................................................................................................................... 104
Appendix C BeamSquared Supported Cameras..................................................................................... 105
Appendix D Camera Information...................................................................................................... 106
D.1 SP300.................................................................................................................................... 106
Supplied Accessories ........................................................................................................ 106D.1.1
External Trigger Control.................................................................................................... 106D.1.2
GPI/O Connector Description............................................................................................. 106D.1.3
D.2 SP920.................................................................................................................................... 107
Supplied Accessories ........................................................................................................ 107D.2.1
External Trigger Control.................................................................................................... 107D.2.2
GPI/O Connector Description............................................................................................. 107D.2.3
D.3 XEVA XC-130.......................................................................................................................... 108
Camera Installation .......................................................................................................... 108D.3.1
Getting Started with Xeva XC-130 camera .......................................................................... 109D.3.2
XenICs XEVA XC-130 Camera Operation............................................................................. 110D.3.3