MKS launches Ophir integrating spheres for measuring optical power in VCSELs

At the SPIE Photonics West 2019 event in San Francisco (5–7 February), MKS Instruments Inc of Andover, MA, USA has launched Ophir IS6D integrating spheres for measuring the optical power of widely divergent laser diode sources, such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). Part of the Ophir Integrating Spheres series of products, the new spheres can accurately measure light that diverges by up to ±85°. Each sphere is delivered as a calibrated unit with a photodiode detector.

The IS6D-VIS/UV/IR measures powers from 300nW to 30W over wavelengths of 200-1800nm. It has a 1-inch (25mm) input port designed to collect light at angles up to ±60°.

The IS6D-IR-170 measures powers from 20µW to 30W over wavelengths of 700-1800nm. It features a specially designed gold-coated 8mm input port that collects light at angles up to ±85°.

Both integrating spheres can be fitted with detachable apertures of 5mm, 7mm or 10mm diameter to restrict the entrance of the integrating sphere to a particular light source, reducing unwanted effects from the PCBs or carriers on which the light source is mounted. The apertures are magnetically attached to the port, making them easy to attach and detach. Each aperture is also coated with a special low-reflectivity coating that prevents changes to the calibration of the integrating sphere.

“VCSELs have widely divergent beams that require input ports to be adapted to wide angles as well as sources to be placed very close to the measurement sphere,” says Reuven Silverman, general manager of the Ophir Photonics Group of North Logan, UT, USA (a division of Ophir Optronics Solutions Ltd of Har Hotzvim, Jerusalem, Israel). “This can cause a multitude of reflection problems which can upset the sphere’s calibration. The new Ophir IS6D integrating spheres feature detachable apertures that restrict the field of view so that only the VCSEL emitter is ‘seen’ by the sphere. They also include a special low-reflectivity paint so as not to affect the accuracy of the measurement device.”

The Ophir IS6D-VIS/UV/IR and IS6D-IR-170 are available now. OEM prices available on request.

Tags: Metrology

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