Abstract
The International Organization for Standardization has been preparing test methods for laser beamwidth and propagation factors. Several techniques have been proposed. The purpose of this paper is to compare the results of applying the various proposed definitions and measurement methods to the same diffracted beam. A heavily apertured laser beam is passed through a focusing lens; the beamwidth is measured at several locations on each side of the focus. The apparent beamwidth is calculated using the diameter that passes 86.5% of the light, the knife edge, the slit and the second moment methods of beamwidth measurement.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
S. GUGGENHIEMER and D. L. WRIGHT,SPIE Proceedings, Laser Beam Diagnostics (January 1991).
A. E. SIEGMAN, Proceedings SPEI/OELASE Meeting, January 1990.
M. W. SASNETT, inThe Physics and Technology of Lasers, edited by D. R. Hall and P. E. Jackson (Hilger, New York, 1989).
L. D. DICKSON,Appl. Opt. 19 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
An Invited Paper
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wright, D. Beamwidths of a diffracted laser using four proposed methods. Opt Quant Electron 24, S1129–S1135 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01588611
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01588611