6.
In the Results window, select the desired Beam Width Basis (see section 3.7.5.1) and enter
information about the laser being analyzed. This information should be updated for each laser under
analysis. It is absolutely necessary to enter the correct Wavelength of the laser light and the Focal
Length of the lens at that wavelength (refer to section 6.1.5).
If using the Four-cuts method, some information about the caustic should already be known. Select
the Z values as described in section 4.1.3.
7.
Identify a good Z Start value. Enable Live Playback and move the camera towards the lens until the
beam is large enough to fill approximately two-thirds of the camera’s imager. Note the Z position.
Round this value off to the nearest 10mm; this is the Z Start value.
Live Playback cannot be accessed when in the Configuration wizard so the Z values must be
determined beforehand.
8.
Find a good Z Stop value. Move the camera away from the lens until the beam again fills approximately
two-thirds of the imager. Note the Z position. Round this value off to the nearest 10mm; this is the Z
Stop value. Move the camera back to the Z Start position.
9.
Determine a Z Step value that seems reasonable for the range between the Z Start and Z Stop values.
Typically a value between 30mm-50mm or 1/10 the focal length of the lens is appropriate. If the beam
focuses quickly, consider reducing the step size.
10.
Once the Z values are known, follow the steps in the Configuration wizard (see section 4.2.1) to
enter all the information for the system under test.
11.
All of the settings required to analyze the beam are now set.
12.
After completing the Configuration wizard, the Step by Step wizard automatically opens to perform
a run. See section 9.3.4 for more information about the data collection process. You may now save this
configuration file for this specific set of testing conditions in order to easily retrieve them for later use.
Make sure to update the configuration whenever the system settings change.
Adjusting Beam Alignment 9.3.3
The operator is responsible for adjusting the beam intensity. The peak energy
should always be kept within 50% to 90% of the camera’s dynamic range.
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