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Laser Metrology System Calibration Services
We are here to serve you; NIST is a non-regulatory agency tasked with supporting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness and we encourage you to contact our staff with technical questions related to measurement science, standards, and technology.
From optical lithography for semiconductor manufacturing to the micromachining of small structures, lasers are key elements in diverse applications. In support of these applications, the Applied Physics Division provides laser power and energy instrument calibration services at laser power levels from single photons to kilowatts and pulse energy levels from nanojoules to kilojoules. Wavelengths are available in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared regions from a wide range of laser sources selected to support industrial, DoD, and research applications. We readily adapt our facility to suit specific customer requirements and can accommodate practically any laser power/energy instrument, its interface and the needed source.
Available Services
Resources
- NIST Calibrations Services
- NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRMs)
- SP-250 Publications on NIST Measurement Services
History
Since 1967, the Applied Physics Division and its predecessors have provided traceable measurements of detectors and power meters used to determine the output power or energy of lasers. These measurements are based upon a family of standards in which the temperature rise resulting from absorbed optical power or energy is compared to that caused by dissipated electrical power or energy. Thus they are traceable to SI units through electrical standards of voltage and resistance. Each standard - the Applied Physics Division currently uses eight - is designed for a particular range of power or energy level for cw or pulsed radiation, and a particular range of wavelengths, as shown below. This assembly of standards and measurement systems represents the best overall capability of its kind in the world and has been recognized by numerous awards, e.g., the Allen V. Astin Award, the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer Award, the Arthur S. Flemming Award, the Judson C. French Award, as well as the Department of Commerce Silver and Gold Medals.