OOPS, Won't do that again....
I finally got a chance to do some preliminary testing of my Lumonics Lightwriter industrial ND-YLF Laser. I discovered the unit has a laser diode On-Time of 7,159.05 hours and a shot count of 38,660,864 which means that the lightcartidge will need replacing as it's usually only good for 8,000 hours.
Without cleaning any optics I decided to see if it still works and used my Ophir DGHH digital laser power meter to measure optical power. It has a sensor head that's supposed to be good up to 10 watts. I ran a First Pulse Calibration test on the Q-Switch which runs the laser diode through a spectrum of various laser diode powers and switching times on the Q-Switch and I ended up burning a hole about 3 mm into the edge of the laser power sensor element. It still works but I certainly won't do that again. Shit the maximum power of this class 4 laser is supposed to be 15 watts with a new laser diode but this one's on it's last legs. I was seeing 8 watts with my meter in CW mode. Note to myself "no more testing laser power with the Lightwriter in FPC mode".
I'll use a carbon block next time.
Rick
Profile Redacted by Admin @ 04.24.2010