300 fW to 300 nW Photodiode Radiometer

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Overview

The RM9-PD Femtowatt Measurement radiometer is a calibrated sensor for measuring the power of femtowatt CW or quasi CW lasers and light sources. The RM9-PD uses a photodiode sensor in conjunction with an 18 Hz chopper (not included, use RMC1 or other chopper). The sensor's power range is from 300 fW to 300 nW. It has an 8 mm aperture and covers the spectral range from 200 to 1100 nm.

Photodiode sensor with 200-1100 nm spectral range
300 fW to 300 nW power measurement range
Use RMC1 or other chopper and lock in amplifier for lowest noise and drift
10 mm diameter aperture

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Products

		Compare	Model	Compatibility	sortOrder	rankScore	ranking	Drawings, CAD & Specs		Aperture Size	Spectral Range	Minimum Power	Maximum Average Power	Includes Chopper	Availability	Featured Item	Price		Brand
		7Z02953 RM9-PD Femtowatt Measurement RM9-PD Radiometer, 300 fW-300 nW, Ø10 mm Aperture, 200-1100 nm $2,339 Contact Us	7Z02953 RM9-PD Femtowatt Measurement RM9-PD Radiometer, 300 fW-300 nW, Ø10 mm Aperture, 200-1100 nm	UNIVERSAL	0.0	1.0	0.0		0.0	Ø10 mm	0.2-1.1 µm	300 fW	300 nW	No	Contact Us		$2,339		Ophir

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Full support available for the RM9 sensor with the Centauri, Vega, Nova II, Juno, Juno+, Juno-RS, EA-1, StarLite and StarBright and with the StarLab application.

There is limited support for the RM9 sensor with the older LaserStar, Pulsar, Quasar and Nova.

To upgrade the meters below to the version that fully supports RM9:
StarBright meters (rev 1.18 and higher) press here
Nova II / Vega meters (rev 2.44 and higher) press here
StarLite meter (rev 1.26 and higher) press here
Juno interface (rev 1.31 and higher) press here
Juno+ press here
Juno-RS press here
EA-1 press here
Centauri press here

Specifications

Product Name

RM9-PD
Aperture Size

Ø10 mm
Absorber Type

Photodiode element
Spectral Range

200 to 1100 nm
Minimum Power

300 fW
Maximum Average Power

300 nW
Maximum Average Power Density

5 W/cm²

Response Time

3.6 s
Dimensions

Ø62 x 22 mm
Includes Chopper

No
Cooling

Convection
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Features

Measuring Laser Power Below the Noise Floor with a Lock-In Amplifier

Measuring optical signals in the femtowatt (10-15) to nanowatt (10-9) range can be very challenging. This video explains how Lock-In Amplifiers can help make these measurements possible.

RM9-PD Radiometer System: Powers Down to Femtowatts!

The RM9-PD system measures powers all the way down to 300 fW. This video introduces you to the RM9-PD, and shows you how to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I measure pulsed laser power with the RM9?
Answer
Yes, but keep in mind that the RM9 will measure average power, not energy. Also, pulse rates below ~50 Hz may generate additional noise. Pulse rates close to 18 Hz may cause beat frequency issues.

How should I clean my sensor?
Answer
First, clean the absorber surface with a tissue, using Umicore #2 Substrate Cleaner, acetone or methanol. Then dry the surface with another tissue. Please note that a few absorbers (Pyro-BB, 10K-W, 15K-W, 16K-W and 30K-W) cannot be cleaned with this method. Instead, simply blow off the dust with clean air or nitrogen. Don't touch these absorbers. Also, HE sensors (such as the 30(150)A-HE-17) should not be cleaned with acetone.

Note: These suggestions are made without guarantee. The cleaning process may result in scratching or staining of the surface in some cases and may also change the calibration.

How can I maximize measurement accuracy with the RM9 radiometer?
Answer
The RM9 is only sensitive to signals chopped at 18 Hz, so placing the chopper as close to the laser source as possible will minimize stray light entering the chopper and being read as part of the signal.
The noise specification is based on a 10 second moving average. Set the power meter to average the measurements for optimal performance.
It is also recommended to zero the sensor before use. This is done by disconnecting the BNC cable between the RM9 sensor and the chopper or turning off the chopper. Then follow the regular instructions for zeroing that can found in your power meter or PC interface manual.

Is the RM9 radiometer series compatible with all Ophir power meters and PC interfaces?
Answer
The various RM9 radiometer models are fully compatible with these meters/interfaces:
- Vega / Nova II (firmware version 2.44 or higher)
- Juno (1.31 or higher)
- StarLite (1.26 or higher)
- StarBright (1.18 or higher)
They are partially compatible with Ophir’s other meters (Nova, LaserStar, USBI, Pulsar, and Quasar). They will function properly with these devices, except with a narrower power range and with reduced accuracy. See specs for more details.

Can I use the RM9 sensor to measure an 18 Hz pulsed source without the chopper?
Answer
If your source happens to be pulsed at 18 Hz, you cannot use the chopper, since this will generate very low frequency beat signals. However, it might be possible to use the RM9 directly with your laser source, as long as you can connect a BNC sync to the RM9 sensor. Contact us about your particular application to be sure this is the right solution for you.

Can a laser measurement depend on the distance from the laser to the sensor?
Answer
In theory, if a beam is completely parallel and fits within the aperture of a sensor, then it should make no difference at all what the distance is. It will be the same number of photons (ignoring absorption by the air, which is negligible except in the UV below 250nm). If, nevertheless, you do see such a distance dependence, there could be one of the following effects happening:
- If you are using a thermal type power sensor, you might actually be measuring heat from the laser itself. When very close to the laser, the thermal sensor might be “feeling” the laser’s own heat. That would not, however, continue to have an effect at more than a few cm distance unless the light source is weak and the heat source is strong.
- Beam geometry – The beam may not be parallel and may be diverging. Often, the lower intensity wings of the beam have greater divergence rate than the main portion of the beam. These may be missing the sensor's aperture as the distance increases. To check that you'd need to use a profiler, or perhaps a BeamTrack PPS (Power/Position/Size) sensor.
- If you are measuring pulse energies with a diffuser-based pyroelectric sensor: Some users find that when they start with the sensor right up close to the laser and move it away, the readings drop sharply (typically by some 6%) over the first few cm. This is likely caused by multiple reflections between the diffuser and the laser device, which at the closest distance might be causing an incorrectly high reading. You should back off from the source by at least some 5cm, more if the beam is not too divergent.
Needless to say, it’s also important to be sure to have a steady setup. A sensor held by hand could easily be moved around involuntarily, which could cause partial or complete missing of the sensor’s aperture at increasing distance, particularly for an invisible beam.

Can I use my own chopper with the RM9?
Answer
Yes, but it must be set to a chopping frequency of 18 Hz.
If your chopper has high emissivity (black) surfaces, it should be located as far from the sensor as possible, at least 200 to 300 mm.
If your chopper has low emissivity (bare metal) surfaces, care should be taken to ensure that when it blocks the laser beam it does not generate stray reflections that can reach the sensor

Why does the chopper have a defined orientation "THIS SIDE TOWARD SENSOR"?
Answer
Typical choppers have the same type of surface on both faces: either metallic, low emissivity or black, high emissivity.
When blocking the laser beam, metallic surfaces will reflect or scatter a significant portion of the laser power which may result in stray reflections reaching the sensor.
Black surfaces solve this issue, but if the chopper is positioned close to the RM9 or RM9-THz sensor, they will pick up a thermal signal from the chopper blades.
Stray reflections and thermal signal from the blades can impair measurement accuracy.
Our chopper enjoys the best of both worlds. It has a black surface that should face the laser beam and a low emissivity surface that should face the sensor.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I measure pulsed laser power with the RM9?
Answer
Yes, but keep in mind that the RM9 will measure average power, not energy. Also, pulse rates below ~50 Hz may generate additional noise. Pulse rates close to 18 Hz may cause beat frequency issues.

How should I clean my sensor?
Answer
First, clean the absorber surface with a tissue, using Umicore #2 Substrate Cleaner, acetone or methanol. Then dry the surface with another tissue. Please note that a few absorbers (Pyro-BB, 10K-W, 15K-W, 16K-W and 30K-W) cannot be cleaned with this method. Instead, simply blow off the dust with clean air or nitrogen. Don't touch these absorbers. Also, HE sensors (such as the 30(150)A-HE-17) should not be cleaned with acetone.

Note: These suggestions are made without guarantee. The cleaning process may result in scratching or staining of the surface in some cases and may also change the calibration.

How can I maximize measurement accuracy with the RM9 radiometer?
Answer
The RM9 is only sensitive to signals chopped at 18 Hz, so placing the chopper as close to the laser source as possible will minimize stray light entering the chopper and being read as part of the signal.
The noise specification is based on a 10 second moving average. Set the power meter to average the measurements for optimal performance.
It is also recommended to zero the sensor before use. This is done by disconnecting the BNC cable between the RM9 sensor and the chopper or turning off the chopper. Then follow the regular instructions for zeroing that can found in your power meter or PC interface manual.

Is the RM9 radiometer series compatible with all Ophir power meters and PC interfaces?
Answer
The various RM9 radiometer models are fully compatible with these meters/interfaces:
- Vega / Nova II (firmware version 2.44 or higher)
- Juno (1.31 or higher)
- StarLite (1.26 or higher)
- StarBright (1.18 or higher)
They are partially compatible with Ophir’s other meters (Nova, LaserStar, USBI, Pulsar, and Quasar). They will function properly with these devices, except with a narrower power range and with reduced accuracy. See specs for more details.

Can I use the RM9 sensor to measure an 18 Hz pulsed source without the chopper?
Answer
If your source happens to be pulsed at 18 Hz, you cannot use the chopper, since this will generate very low frequency beat signals. However, it might be possible to use the RM9 directly with your laser source, as long as you can connect a BNC sync to the RM9 sensor. Contact us about your particular application to be sure this is the right solution for you.

Can a laser measurement depend on the distance from the laser to the sensor?
Answer
In theory, if a beam is completely parallel and fits within the aperture of a sensor, then it should make no difference at all what the distance is. It will be the same number of photons (ignoring absorption by the air, which is negligible except in the UV below 250nm). If, nevertheless, you do see such a distance dependence, there could be one of the following effects happening:
- If you are using a thermal type power sensor, you might actually be measuring heat from the laser itself. When very close to the laser, the thermal sensor might be “feeling” the laser’s own heat. That would not, however, continue to have an effect at more than a few cm distance unless the light source is weak and the heat source is strong.
- Beam geometry – The beam may not be parallel and may be diverging. Often, the lower intensity wings of the beam have greater divergence rate than the main portion of the beam. These may be missing the sensor's aperture as the distance increases. To check that you'd need to use a profiler, or perhaps a BeamTrack PPS (Power/Position/Size) sensor.
- If you are measuring pulse energies with a diffuser-based pyroelectric sensor: Some users find that when they start with the sensor right up close to the laser and move it away, the readings drop sharply (typically by some 6%) over the first few cm. This is likely caused by multiple reflections between the diffuser and the laser device, which at the closest distance might be causing an incorrectly high reading. You should back off from the source by at least some 5cm, more if the beam is not too divergent.
Needless to say, it’s also important to be sure to have a steady setup. A sensor held by hand could easily be moved around involuntarily, which could cause partial or complete missing of the sensor’s aperture at increasing distance, particularly for an invisible beam.

Can I use my own chopper with the RM9?
Answer
Yes, but it must be set to a chopping frequency of 18 Hz.
If your chopper has high emissivity (black) surfaces, it should be located as far from the sensor as possible, at least 200 to 300 mm.
If your chopper has low emissivity (bare metal) surfaces, care should be taken to ensure that when it blocks the laser beam it does not generate stray reflections that can reach the sensor

Why does the chopper have a defined orientation "THIS SIDE TOWARD SENSOR"?
Answer
Typical choppers have the same type of surface on both faces: either metallic, low emissivity or black, high emissivity.
When blocking the laser beam, metallic surfaces will reflect or scatter a significant portion of the laser power which may result in stray reflections reaching the sensor.
Black surfaces solve this issue, but if the chopper is positioned close to the RM9 or RM9-THz sensor, they will pick up a thermal signal from the chopper blades.
Stray reflections and thermal signal from the blades can impair measurement accuracy.
Our chopper enjoys the best of both worlds. It has a black surface that should face the laser beam and a low emissivity surface that should face the sensor.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

Accessories

5m Molded Cable

5m molded cable to connect PPS / Quad electronic box to power meter or interface. Order along with sensor to receive this instead of 0.5m cable from electronic box.

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7E01176B BeamTrack Sensor Cable, 5 m Length, Connect PPS / Quad to Power Meter	UNIVERSAL		In Stock	$79

Extended Warranty for Sensor

Customers that purchase the above items also consider the following items. Ophir-Spiricon meters and sensors include a standard manufacturers warranty for one year. Add a one year Extended Warranty to your meter or sensor, which includes one recalibration.