Profiling of micrometer sized laser beams in restricted volumes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fiber-based method for high-resolution 3D profiling of micrometer-sized laser beams within restricted volumes, demonstrated inside a micro ion trap.

Contribution

A novel fiber-guided approach enabling 3D laser beam profiling with micrometer resolution in confined spaces, including practical application inside a micro ion trap.

Findings

Successful demonstration of beam profiling in restricted volumes

Identification of limiting factors affecting resolution

Potential routes for further resolution enhancement

Abstract

We present a method for determining the 3D intensity distribution of directed laser radiation with micrometer resolution in restricted volumes. Our method is based on in-coupling and guiding properties of optical fibers, with the current version requiring only few hundred micrometers. We characterize the performance of the method and experimentally demonstrate profiling of micrometer sized laser beams. We discuss the limiting factors and routes towards a further increase of the resolution and beam profiling in even more restricted volumes. Finally, as an application example, we present profiling of laser beams inside a micro ion trap with integrated optical fibers.