# Simple precision measurements of optical beam sizes

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a straightforward, precise method for measuring various optical beam sizes using a wire and power meter, achieving 1% accuracy without specialized tools.

## Contribution

It proposes a novel, simple technique for accurate beam diameter measurement applicable to different beam types without requiring complex equipment.

## Key findings

- Achieves 1% measurement precision.
- Validated method for Gaussian beams down to 3% of a commercial profiler's limit.
- Applicable to Gaussian, Airy, and Bessel beams.

## Abstract

We present a simple precision-method to quickly and accurately measure the diameters of Gaussian beams, Airy spots, and central peak of Bessel beams ranging from the sub-millimeter to many centimeters without specialized equipment. Simply moving a wire through the beam and recording the relative losses using an optical power meter, one can easily measure the beam diameters with a precision of 1%. The accuracy of this method has been experimentally verified for Gaussian beams down to the limit of a commercial slit-based beam profiler (3%).