Low-Cost NIR Measurement Device

Due to lack of low-cost near infra-red measurement devices for spatial beam profiling in free-space optical systems, a custom solution is developed, utilizing commercially available PIN+TIA detector and limiting amplifier, that are primarily used in SFP optical modules. We have developed a NIR pixel module, comprising of a standalone detector coupled with an RGB LED that provides visible feedback for detecting wavelengths in the 1100-1650 nm range. A set of 9 such pixels integrated into a portable battery powered measurement device capable of detecting the spatial distribution of a collimated optical beam of up to 4 cm in diameter and streaming per pixel measurements via WiFi to a personal computer has been developed. We also show how a single NIR pixel coupled with a low-cost open-source 3D printer can be used to determine optical beam spatial power distribution profile and is capable of creating 2D and 3D distribution scans with better than 0.2 mm resolution.