Click to change the region

Application Notes

Laser Power and Energy Measurements with Pyroelectric IR Detectors

Pyroelectric detectors have been used to measure the power and energy in CW and pulsed lasers now for many years. This note will explain the technique of applying these devices for these applications and the subtleties which make these devices ideal for many power and energy uses.

Laser Power and Energy Measurements
with Pyroelectric IR Detectors

Beyond Borders

Pyroelectric detectors are unique from other thermal detectors in that they have no DC or CW response. In order to produce an output they must experience an optically (IR) induced change in their temperature. This is classically accomplished by pulsing or chopping the input energy. The minimum chopping or pulse frequency is determined by the device’s thermal time constant which is analogous to the heat leak rate. This is typically on the order of 10 to 300 msec and can be specified. If the detector is configured for very high power applications the heat generated by the absorbed power must be dissipated and thus in this case the time constant is greatly reduced by heatsinking the element.

These IR detectors are actually charge generators where the charge produced is a function of their temperature change. However the charge is quickly dissipated due to the element’s thermalization (back to ambient) caused by the heat leaking away (time constant). The charge produced by the change in temperature as a function of time (Coul/sec) gives rise to a current which is a function of the power absorbed by the element. Thus the device produces a current response by which it is specified (A/W). For this reason these are usually modeled electrically as current sources in parallel with their own capacitances.

As capacitors they are high impedance devices and thus act as integrators of the voltage produced by their thermally induced current. Thus the voltage produced as a function of time is                    .
 

VW=AWZeffPd

In order to resolve a pulse and measure its power (Watts) the detector’s electrical time constant must be reduced which is accomplished by the addition of a shunt resistance (Rl) whose value is a function of the pulse frequency.

In general the electrical time constant should be at least 1/10 of the pulse width.  

The output voltage will be:

 

Where Zeff is the total impedance of the detector and Pd is the input optical power.  

 

Note that the input impedance of the measuring instrument and the capacitance of any cabling need to be
considered part of the Zeff. Often a transimpedance amplifier is used to better couple the detector to the
measuring instrument.
In application the impedances required to resolve the pulse are so small that the voltage produced is very small and may approach the limit of the signal to noise of the measuring equipment. In this case the total energy in the pulse is measured in Volts/Joule.
 

VJ=AW(Cd+Cl)

BILD

 

The output pulse will be look as below: 

 

SKIZZE

 

The amplitude of the pulse is the total energy in the detected heat pulse. The average power (Watts) in the pulse can be calculated knowing the V/J and the pulse width. One of the drawbacks to using these or any other detector for measuring laser pulses is the damage induced by these short high energy pulses where the average power is low but the peak power is enough to damage the element. For this case very low cost devices based on other much cheaper materials are used and are considered ablative as the replacement cost is very low.
 

 

 

Edward Williams
If You have any Questions
Click here

IR Detectors

MANUFACTURED BY LASER COMPONENTS

ALUT3151X1300-k2 ALUT3151X1300-k2
Advanced LTO Infrared Detectors

Advanced single channel voltage mode detectors for FTIR instruments.

Excellent linearity and fast response to IR flux change.
Differential Pyroelectric Detector Differential Pyroelectric Detector
Differential Pyroelectric Detector

Pyroelectric crystals generate positive and negative charge carriers simultaneously on opposing sides. The LD21xx series is the first series in which both crystal sides are amplified separately.

Multi channel pyroelectric detectors Multi channel pyroelectric detectors
Multi-channel LiTaO3 Pyroelectric Detectors

Multi-channel pyrodetectors: dual-channel, triple-channel and quad-channel versions are available.

Single Channel Current Mode Pyroelectric Detector Single Channel Current Mode Pyroelectric Detector
One-Channel LiTaO3 Pyroelectric Detector

Single channel pyroelectric detectors made of LiTaO3 are available for current mode (CM). They are used for gas detection and flame detection.

LT0102X-k2 LT0102X-k2
Pyroelectric DLaTGS Detectors

DLaTGS detectors exhibit the most effective pyroelectric effect known. Their major application is FTIR.

DLaTGS = Deuterated Lanthanum α Alanine doped TriGlycine Sulphate 
PR N°1 THz, Pyro Receiver, THz PR N°1 THz, Pyro Receiver, THz
Pyroelectric Receiver No1

Compact and universal receivers with high quality electronics for the LWIR and THz range.

Uncooled device made for THz detection or spectroscopic applications in FTIR instruments.

Downloads

Beyond Borders

LASER COMPONENTS UK - Your competent partner for optical and optoelectronic components in the United Kingdom.

Welcome to LASER COMPONENTS UK Ltd., your expert for photonics components. Each product in our wide range of detectors, laser diodes, laser modules, optics, fiber optics, and more is worth every Pound (£/GBP). Our customized solutions cover all conceivable areas of application: from sensor technology to medical technology. You can reach us here:

Goldlay House, 114 Parkway
Chelmsford Essex CM2 7PR
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1245 491 499
Email: info(at)lasercomponents.co.uk

Team of experts
You have questions or need our support?
Please call us.
Edward Williams
Technical Sales Engineer
Edward Williams
LASER COMPONENTS (UK) Ltd.
CM2 7PR Chelmsford Essex
Contact Form
You would like to send us something? You can reach us by phone and by e-mail.

Laser Components

Goldlay House, 114 Parkway
Chelmsford Essex CM2 7PR
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1245 491 499

You will be redirected
to the Fiber Technology Website ...