For anyone using CO2 laser tubes, understanding the actual output power is crucial. This not only affects your processing efficiency and results, but it is also a key factor in determining if the laser tube needs replacement or maintenance. So, how can we accurately measure the “strength” of a laser tube?
The most accurate and professional method is to use a laser power meter, also known as a power probe. You can think of it as a high-precision “electronic scale” specifically designed to measure the energy of laser light. The core of such a laser power meter is a thermal sensor. When the laser beam fully hits the sensor, it absorbs the light energy and converts the heat into an electrical signal. Subsequently, the internal circuitry calculates the current laser power and displays it directly in Watts (W) on the screen. During the measurement, you need to ensure that the output beam from the laser tube is directed vertically and steadily onto the receiving surface of the laser power meter. Therefore, this method is the most scientific and precise. Moreover, it is the standard method used by professional repair and manufacturing companies when calibrating equipment.
However, professional laser power meter prices are usually relatively expensive, which may not be easily accessible for ordinary users. In this case, we can also use a simple, but relatively less accurate, alternative method: roughly estimating it using the water heating method. This method is based on the principle of energy conservation: after the laser energy is absorbed by water, the water temperature will rise. To be specific, you can use a container with a known mass and volume of water (such as a special glass or measuring cylinder) to receive the laser beam for a fixed time (for example, 10 seconds). By measuring the temperature difference of the water before and after irradiation, and then according to the physical parameters such as the specific heat capacity of water, you can roughly calculate the energy transmitted by the laser in a unit of time, so as to estimate the power.
Nevertheless, the water heating method can only be used as an emergency rough reference, because it is affected by many factors such as environmental heat dissipation, uneven heating of the water, and absorption of container materials, resulting in large errors. Yet, its greatest value lies in horizontal comparison. If your laser tube heats water significantly less efficiently than before under the same conditions, it strongly suggests that its power has seriously attenuated.
Regardless of the method used, you must pay strict attention to safety when measuring! The laser tube emits invisible infrared laser light, which is extremely harmful to the eyes and skin. Please be sure to wear professional laser safety glasses, make sure there are no flammable materials in the measurement area, and complete the measurement in a short time to avoid overheating damage to the laser tube or measuring equipment.
In summary, if you are pursuing accuracy, buying or renting a professional laser power meter is the best choice. If you just want to quickly determine the health of the laser tube, the water heating method can provide a rough reference. In any case, safety always comes first.