Using a Silicon Beam Profiler for UV Lasers?

Read this before you do any damage.

Technically, silicon absorbs well down to 350 nm, and could even work at lower wavelengths (to 190 nm).

However, silicon is especially susceptible to damage from UV light.  This is exacerbated by the low absorption at UV wavelengths.  The customer will often turn up the laser until they get a reading from the UV on the camera.  However, UV can do damage long before it is absorbed well.

Sometimes, damage occurs immediately.  But it can also come as a result of extended use near the UV damage threshold.

Because of all these concerns, we recommend just using a UV to visible converter.

Here’s how it works:

The UV image converter has a fluorescent plate that converts UV radiation into visible light that is then imaged onto the CCD of the camera. These fluorescent plates are specially designed for UV conversion and have a high light output, wide linear dynamic range and high damage threshold.

Find out more here: https://www.ophiropt.com/laser–measurement/beam-profilers/products/Accessories/Reimaging-UV-Lasers