MKS Instruments, Inc., a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, has announced the Ophir® BeamSquared® SP204S-PRO and Ophir® BeamSquared® SP1203 M2 beam propagation analyzers at SPIE's Photonics West 2025.
The BeamSquared SP204S-PRO M2 analyzer is a precision beam caustic and profiling system for advanced laser manufacturing in semiconductor, display manufacturing, medical systems, defense, and industrial applications. A compact, fully automated tool, it quickly and accurately measures the propagation characteristics of standard and large diameter CW and pulsed lasers with extended Rayleigh ranges (up to 40 meters). The BeamSquared SP204S-PRO M2 analyzer is designed for manufacturers in high-precision production environments that need precise characterization of key beam parameters, including M2, waist position, astigmatism, and beam symmetry. It is the newest member of the Ophir BeamSquared family of beam propagation analyzers, delivering significant improvements in waist position measurements for large beams as well as 3% astigmatism measurement accuracy, which is crucial for optimizing advanced optical systems. The BeamSquared SP204S-PRO M2 analyzer provides higher accuracy beam propagation and quality parameters, and maintains device-to-device consistency of laser parameter measurements, critical features for continuous production environments.
The BeamSquared M2 beam propagation analyzer family also added the BeamSquared® SP1203 analyzer, which includes the Ophir SP1203 GigE beam profiler. This high-resolution beam profiler is able to precisely measure smaller beam diameter lasers (up to 150 µm in the SWIR and NIR range) with larger Rayleigh lengths that need to be focused into tighter spots. This allows the BeamSquared SP1203 M2 system to be used in a broader range of advanced applications, including telecommunications, advanced manufacturing (welding, cutting, 3D printing), autonomous vehicles (LiDAR), and medical devices (ophthalmology and optical coherence tomography).
"The evolution of advanced laser systems has prompted top manufacturers to seek more accurate ways to validate performance for demanding customer applications," said Reuven Silverman, General Manager, Ophir Photonics Products. "Manufacturers were dealing with large errors in astigmatism and waist location measurements, as well as quality control over the UV to NIR spectrum. The new BeamSquared M2 analyzers address these concerns. They deliver the most accurate products on the market, combining ISO 11146 compliance, accurate beam caustic measurements, and expanded laser characterization features. This allows continuous process manufacturers to tune lasers with optimal precision and reliability."
The BeamSquared M2 analyzers include Ophir BeamSquared software, an optical train, and a high-resolution camera. The newest analyzers feature a longer optical train and patented UltraCal™ advanced calibration software to deliver high-precision beam analysis for lasers with extended Rayleigh ranges up to 40 meters. The software measures beam propagation characteristics on both the X and Y axes, including waist diameters, full angle divergences, waist locations, Rayleigh lengths, M2 or K and BPP factors, astigmatism, and asymmetry. The system displays 2D or 3D beam profiles for visual verification of beam behavior through focus. Functions include a 3D slice display and the ability to add 3D displays to reports. Reports can also incorporate a beam caustic chart, in addition to setup information, laser measurements, and a variety of statistics. An automation interface via .Net components allows users to build custom applications that incorporate the laser beam analysis and processing power of the BeamSquared system.
All BeamSquared M2 analyzers can be mounted horizontally or vertically to optimize bench space. Each is equipped with conventional focusing lenses from 400 to 1000 mm. The BeamSquared SP204S-PRO analyzer is equipped with specially calibrated lenses that are optimally designed for use with long Rayleigh range lasers (40 m) that involve both a long-waist location and large beams.