Nonlinearity measurement of high power laser detectors at NIST

Published

January 1, 2004

Author(s)

Xiaoyu X. Li, Thomas Scott, Shao Yang, Christopher L. Cromer, Marla L. Dowell

Abstract

We briefly explain the fundamentals of detector nonlinearity applicable to both electrical and optical nonlinearity measurements. We specifically discuss the attenuation method for optical nonlinearity measurement that the NIST system is based upon, and we review the possible sources of nonlinearity inherent to thermal detectors used with high-power lasers. We also describe, in detail, the NIST nonlinearity measurement system, in which detector responsivity can be measured at wavelengths of 1.06 'm and 10.6 'm, over a power range from 1 W to 1000 W. We present the data processing method used and show measurement results depicting both positive and negative nonlinear behavior. The expanded uncertainty of a typical NIST high-power laser detector calibration including nonlinearity characterization is about 1.3 %.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

109

Issue

4

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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Keywords

attenuation method, calibraion, calorimeter, chopper wheel, high-power laser, nonlinearity measurement, thermal detector

Citation

Li, X. , Scott, T. , Yang, S. , Cromer, C. and Dowell, M. (2004), Nonlinearity measurement of high power laser detectors at NIST, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=31665 (Accessed October 15, 2025)