Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Gaussian Beam Visualization Techniques

TL;DR

This paper compares various laser beam profiling techniques, including knife-edge, scanning slit, pin-hole, and CCD methods, highlighting their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and applicability for quantitative beam analysis.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison and visualization of existing laser beam profiling methods, emphasizing their practicality and ease of use.

Findings

CCD profiling methods offer accurate quantitative measurements.

Profiling techniques are inexpensive and easy to implement.

The paper presents visual comparisons of different methods.

Abstract

We present a comparative overview of existing laser beam profiling methods. We compare the the knife-edge, scanning slit, and pin-hole methods. Data is presented in a comparative fashion. We also elaborate on the use of CCD profiling methods and present appropriate imagery. These methods allow for a quantitative determination of transverse laser beam-profiles using inexpensive and accessible methods. The profiling techniques presented are inexpensive and easily applicable to a variety of experiments.