Optical Detector Selection Guide for Spectra-Physics Lasers

Selecting an Optical Detector for Your Spectra Physics Laser

This selection guide is designed to aid in choosing the most appropriate photodiode and Thermopile Detector for measuring the power levels of your Spectra-Physics Laser. The choices listed include the best optical power head option(s) for each specific laser based on performance and price. Newport offers a number of meters with various levels of performances, whose list is at the bottom of this document. The products are selected based on cost effectiveness, power resolution and the ease of selection and use. This chart does not necessarily show all the compatible detectors.

Ultrafast Oscillators and OPOs

For multiphoton imaging applications with Mai Tai and Tsunami lasers, 918D silicon sensor heads can be used for less than 2 W/cm² of output power density.
For the recommended detectors for Mai Tai DeepSee, see the specific Mai Tai models in the chart above.
Notes
¹ can also measure the output power of laser pump source
² can also measure the output power of laser pump source for up to 2 minutes of operation

Ultrafast Amplifiers and OPAs

Notes
¹ can also measure the output power of laser pump source for up to 2 minutes of operation.

Tunable Lasers

Notes
¹ Sirah dye lasers are pumped by a Quanta-Ray Nd:YAG laser. Use the recommended detector for the specific pump laser models in the Quanta-Ray section.

High Energy Pulsed Lasers

Notes
¹ requires attenuating the beam to less than 30 W of average power; detector damage may occur otherwise.
² requires attenuating the beam and expanding the beam to reduce the output power/energy density; detector damage may occur otherwise. Refer to the detector specification for its maximum limit.

CW and Quasi-CW Lasers

Output power of most Excelsior lasers can be measured by 918D series sensors by expanding the beam and reducing the output power density (maximum limit for 918D-SL-OD3 is 2 W/cm^₂)
Notes
¹ can measure the output power up to 2 minutes of operation

Q-Switched DPSS Lasers

Gas Lasers (Obsolete)

Output power of most air-cooled ion lasers can be measured by 918D series detectors by expanding the beam and reducing the output power density (maximum limit for 918D-SL-OD3 is 2 W/cm²).

Compatible Power Meter Models

	Model	Features and Benefits	Compatible with 818P Series	Compatible with 818E Series	Compatible with 918D Series
Benchtop Meters
	Optical Power and Energy Meters, 1936-C/R and 2936-C/R	• The most advanced meter available in market • Vivid 5.7” color screen • User-friendly menu structure • Multiple graphical displays and functions • Analog output, Trigger input/output	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Benchtop Optical Meter, 1928-C	• Economical benchtop model • Vivid 4” color screen • Same user interface as 1936-C series • Analog output, Trigger input/output	Yes	Yes	Yes
Portable Meters
	Optical Power Meter, High-Performance Hand-Held, 1918-R	• Benchtop performance and features in this portable power meter • vivid 4” color screen, with the same advanced features available with the benchtop models • Analog output, Trigger input/output	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Portable Optical Power Meter, 842-PE	• Next generation of 841-PE with an improved design and user interface • Good compromise between advanced 1918-R and simple 1916-C • 3.5” monochrome screen.	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Handheld Laser Power Meter, 1917-R	• Economical solution for laser alignment with ultrafast simulated analog needle • Large 77 X 58 mm LCD display for easy reading • Three different needle display mode	Yes	No	Yes
	Economic Portable Optical Power Meter, 1916-R	• Simple power measurement applications with limited budget • Easy to learn and runs on AA batteries • 3.5” monochrome screen.	Yes	No	Yes
Virtual Meters
	Dual Channel USB Interface Optical Power/Energy Meter, 842-E-USB	• USB powered dual channel meter • Capturing every pulse up to 10 kHz per channel when used with 818E detectors • Easy to use yet feature-rich functional computer user interface	Yes	Yes	No
	USB Interface Optical Power Meter, 841-P-USB	• Light and small, USB powered virtual power meter • Easy to use yet feature-rich computer user interface	Yes	No	Yes

Newport Family of Brands