Abstract

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, proposed is the first embedded optics and electronics-based agile pixel broadband optical imager and spectrum analyzer using a single digital micromirror device (DMD) for laser beam hotspot detection. Specifically, the novel design engages both the wavelength-dependent grating structure of the DMD optical chip and its three-tilt-state micromirror programmability to form both an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) and an agile pixel imager within one basic instrument. Also, to our knowledge, presented for the first time for a DMD chip is a complete mathematical analysis for incident laser beam operations via diffraction theory. Using off-the-shelf components and the Texas Instruments (TI) Lightcrafter DLP chip and drive electronics, embedded engineering of the proposed instrument is implemented for the visible laser wavelength band. Experimental OSA operation of the instrument is demonstrated using classic laser wavelengths of 633 and 532 nm with beam power levels of 20 and 180 mW, respectively. Experimental imaging operation of the instrument compared with a commercial scanning slit-based laser beam profiler is successfully conducted for a 633 nm test laser beam having a hotspot with $\sim 68\%$ peak-to-null power drop near its center. Applications for the proposed imager-OSA instrument include laser beam testing during laser assembly and manufacturing operations.

© 2015 Optical Society of America

Motion-free hybrid design laser beam propagation analyzer using a digital micromirror device and a variable focus liquid lens

Mumtaz Sheikh and Nabeel A. Riza
Appl. Opt. 49(16) D6-D11 (2010)

Demonstration of 136 dB dynamic range capability for a simultaneous dual optical band CAOS camera

Nabeel A. Riza and J. Pablo La Torre
Opt. Express 24(26) 29427-29443 (2016)

Digital programmable light spectrum synthesis system using a digital micromirror device

C. H. Chuang and Y. L. Lo
Appl. Opt. 45(32) 8308-8314 (2006)

Digital micromirror device camera with per-pixel coded exposure for high dynamic range imaging

Wei Feng, Fumin Zhang, Weijing Wang, Wei Xing, and Xinghua Qu
Appl. Opt. 56(13) 3831-3840 (2017)

Laser beam imaging via multiple mode operations of the extreme dynamic range CAOS camera

Nabeel A. Riza and Mohsin A. Mazhar
Appl. Opt. 57(22) E20-E31 (2018)