A simple laser beam characterization apparatus based on imaging

The development of an original low-cost hardware/software apparatus to optically control the laser beam and measure quality parameters by image analysis using a monochrome matrix sensor is described, along with experimental validation. Laser parameters, namely beam waist, divergence, Rayleigh range and M2, which are the most relevant in manufacturing operations (like optical measurement and laser processing), have been physically and mathematically characterized. Strategies for the apparatus size reduction are also presented, including the use of a prism to reduce by half the optical path, and a camera model to simulate the sensor resolution.