Beamage-M² User Manual
Revision 6
7
2.2. LASER ALIGNMENT
The first time the Beamage-M² is being used, the laser must be aligned correctly to ensure that the beam
fits entirely
on the camera’s sensor.
The mechanics simplify this task by putting all the optics at the same height. The mirrors on the moving
stage are factory-aligned so that the user should never need to adjust them. The only adjustment remaining
is the entry angle, controlled by mirrors M1 and M2.
The beam must be centred on the lens and the Beamage camera at the same time; this is our success
criteria.
1. Alignment:
a. Place the Beamage-M² on an optical table.
b. Fix at least two of the 5 anchoring points to the optical table in order to keep the module
from moving during or after alignment.
c. Install the Alignment Tube in front of the Iris (i.e., screw the tube on the Iris).
Note: the orange surface on the disk is fluorescent from 800 nm to 1700 nm.
d. Make sure the Beamage-M² mirrors are parallel to their mount prior to the alignment, it will
make it easier.
e. Block the output of the laser you wish to measure with the detector card or with a suitable
beam blocker then turn it on.
f.
Be sure not to damage the system:
i. If your laser beam has a power higher than 100 mW, put some attenuation in the beam
path before mirror M1.
ii. Use ND-Filters for beams with a power lower than 1 W.
iii. Use a Beam Splitter for beams with a power higher than 1 W.
g. Align the beam towards the center of mirror M1 while trying to have it as parallel as
possible to the optical table. Use the detector card to help you align the beam from now on.
h. Use mirror M1 to align the beam at the center of the mirror M2.
i.
Make sure the beam reaches the first disk of the alignment tube. Use mirror M1 to target
the center of the disk P1 (see
j.
Once the beam passes through the disk P1, look
through the tube’s slot to find where it hits
the disk P2.
k. Use mirror M2 to center the beam on the disk P2.
l.
Repeat steps h. to k. until the beam is centred and passes through both the disks P1 and
P2.
m. Remove the alignment tube while keeping the iris in place.
n. Turn on the PC-Beamage software, press
Start Capture
and click on
2D Dis
play.
Figure 2-2
: Bad alignment vs. good alignment.
Left side: Bad alignment, causes the beam to shift a great distance on the sensor when the stage
is moving.
Right side: Good alignment, the beam is centered on both the lens and the camera.
