Viewers of IR & UV Radiation

IR or V-UV is a high-efficiency ceramic disk with high sensitivity to either coherent (laser beam) or non-coherent (LED) radiation. It provides a simple, inexpensive and convenient method of visualizing beam size, shape and cross-sectional intensity distribution.

It is an absolutely essential beam detection tool during laser alignment, spot size calibration or mode structure analysis in both lab and field environment. V-Disks provides unlimited, continuous viewing of both pulsed and CW laser and light sources. They require no re-charging, have no fading, saturation or after-glow, don’t have to be constantly moved around as conventional IR cards and allow real-time monitoring of beam shape and transverse mode structure.

Their operational principle is based on either up- or downconverted transitions in the unique powder mixture of ions of rare-earth metals. As a result IR radiation can be observed as a green light, and UV radiation appears as red or deep red color.

Vigitek has acquired a proprietary technology of making V -Disks as solid structures of various shapes and sizes (either round or rectangular).

Standard dimensions are 40 mm Dia. x 5 mm Thk., 25 mm Dia. x 5 mm Thk., 50 x 50 x 5 mm Thk. Custom sizes are available on request and carry minimal quantity requirements. Disks can be used as a free-standing screen or as a hand- held wand for the applications that require access to the beam.

V-Disks are long-lasting and requires no maintenance: if the active surface becomes damaged it can be easily refinished with fine sandpaper.

• Stimulation Spectral Range: 800-1700 nm (IR); 190-390 nm (UV).
• Emission Color: Green – 520…550 nm (IR);
• Red/Deep Red – 645…675 nm (UV).

Always wear protective safety goggles when operating live laser equipment!

Duration of After-Glow (radiation source removed): <10 msec for both IR and UV viewers.

Spatial resolution: > 20 grooves/mm, features of < 50μm in size can be resolved.

Sensitivity Threshold: 10μJ/cm2 (pulsed) and 100μW/cm2 (CW) for both IR and UV viewers.

Surface Damage Threshold:

• From ~1 J/cm2 for nsec pulses to 10 J/cm2 for μsec and msec pulses;
• 100 W/cm2 for intermittent CW operation;
• Using V-Disks with high fluence laser beams requires their expansion or attenuation;
• Do not place V-Disks at or near focal plane of the laser beam.