3D Beam Reconstruction by Fluorescence Imaging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a non-invasive, high-resolution, and automated method for 3D laser beam mapping using fluorescence imaging in atomic vapour, enabling detailed analysis of complex beam patterns.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel fluorescence-based technique for 3D laser beam reconstruction that is fast, automated, and capable of measuring counterpropagating beams.

Findings

Achieves 200 x 200 x 659 resolution in 3D mapping

Capable of measuring complex, counterpropagating laser patterns

Provides a non-invasive alternative to traditional invasive methods

Abstract

We present a technique for mapping the complete 3D spatial intensity profile of a laser beam from its fluorescence in an atomic vapour. We propagate shaped light through a rubidium vapour cell and record the resonant scattering from the side. From a single measurement we obtain a camera limited resolution of 200 x 200 transverse points and 659 longitudinal points. In constrast to invasive methods in which the camera is placed in the beam path, our method is capable of measuring patterns formed by counterpropagating laser beams. It has high resolution in all 3 dimensions, is fast and can be completely automated. The technique has applications in areas which require complex beam shapes, such as optical tweezers, atom trapping and pattern formation.