Ophir Photonics Group, Logan, Utah, has announced a new line of high damage threshold power volume absorbers for short pulsed lasers (<1 µs). The PF Sensors absorb a laser's energy in the volume of the material being used.
The sensors make use of a spray deposited on the surface, not the typical glass or ceramic substrate. This means the PF Sensors provide high power handling capacity and fast response times. They can handle up to 20 times the power density, up to 3 KW/cm2, and the response rate time is as fast as 1 sec.
The PF Absorber Sensors include four models:
+ 50(150)A-PF-35: for up to 50W continuous and 150W intermittent with a large 35mm aperture
+ 15(50)A-PF-DIF-18: for 15W continuous and 50W intermittent; includes a diffuser to enhance damage resistance
+ 50A-PF-DIF-18: for 50W continuous; includes a diffuser to enhance damage resistance
+ F100A-PF-DIF-18: for 100W continuous; includes a diffuser to enhance damage resistance
The PF Sensors allow power densities up to 3 KW/cm2 instead of the usual 50 W/cm2. The sprayed on coating is more durable, less expensive, and can be produced in any size needed. Because the absorber is a layer and not a solid surface, response times are faster.