Calorimetric Measurement of Optical Power from Pulsed Lasers

Laser power measurement instrumentation, the standards used, and the techniques are described. Average power can be measured with an accuracy approaching ± 1.2 percent using the international joule or electrical watt as the standard for calibration of the system. A determination of peak power can be made from the measurement of average power, repetition rate, and a knowledge of the power-time function. Automatic data acquisition and a time-share computer are used for data reduction.