Integrating Sphere Detector for Fast Laser Power Measurement of up to 1 kW

Name: Integrating Sphere Detector for Fast Laser Power Measurement of up to 1 kW
Brand: Gentec-EO

Description

Following its launch of integrating sphere laser power detector series, Gentec-EO now added another fast laser power detector, the IS50A-1KW-RSI.

One of the highlights of this new thermal detector is its typical rise time of 200msec, which enables high-accuracy measurement extremely fast compared to any other high-power detectors available on the market.

With its capability to measure up to 1000 W of continuous power and its 50 mm aperture, the IS50A-1KW-RSI laser power detector accommodates large and powerful laser beams. It also features an incredibly low noise level of just 0.01 mW.

This laser power meter is ideal for collimated beams, but will also work perfectly up to 20º divergence (full angle).

Simply plug it into a computer with an INTEGRA USB or RS-232 connector, open our free proprietary software PC-Gentec-EO and you are all set to take your first measurement.

KEY ADVANTAGES:

Performance: First, it lets you follow the ramp-up of a high-power laser because such detectors measure laser power extremely fast as you can see on the chart. Integrating sphere power detectors offer many advantages performance-wise: fast response, high sensitivity, excellent spatial uniformity.

Cost-efficient: The same laser power detector can be used for measuring several laser systems because the dynamic spectral range is very wide. Indeed, these detectors have a NIST-traceable calibration for their entire calibrated spectral range, and this calibration is valid from the noise floor to the maximum power: from tens of mW to 1000 W!

This results in significant savings for customers who have many lasers to measure. Also, you do not need to purchase a display device to read your measurement since our INTEGRA technology is integrated into it. Just plug the detector into your computer.

Safety: If you are particularly concerned about safety in your work environment, using an integrating sphere detector instead of a thermal detector is even safer because back-reflections are much weaker.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:

An integrating sphere detector is composed of two elements. First, light enters a hollow sphere through a small aperture and it diffuses inside the sphere with multiple reflections on the sphere\'s inner coating.

Second, a small uniformly-lit aperture at another position in the sphere samples a portion of this diffused light and sends it onto a sensor. Basically, integrating spheres act as attenuators to allow for the use of smaller and faster detectors.

Specifications

Detector Type:	Other
Spectral Range:	0.34 – 1.1 um
Size:	50 mm
Maximum Power:	9 W
Noise Equivalent Power:	1 uW
Max Average Power Density:	2 kW/cm2

Got questions about specs? Use the inquiry form to ask.

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Features

High-Accuracy Optical Power Measurement – Designed as a precision integrating sphere power detector, ideal for accurate measurement of laser and broadband optical sources over a wide dynamic range.
Uniform Spatial Response – Internal diffuse coating and spherical geometry provide highly uniform light distribution on the detector, minimizing measurement errors caused by beam profile or alignment.
Wide Spectral Range Compatibility – Compatible with a broad range of wavelengths (model-dependent), allowing use with common laser sources and LEDs from the UV to the IR, similar to other Gentec-EO and industry-standard integrating spheres.
Class A Digital Device Compliance (FCC Part 15) – Tested and certified to comply with FCC Class A limits, ensuring reliable operation with reduced risk of electromagnetic interference in professional and industrial environments.
Robust Gentec-EO Build Quality – Engineered for stability and repeatability under normal operating conditions, with mechanical design comparable to other premium integrating spheres used in R&D, production, and quality control.
One-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty – Backed by a 1-year warranty from date of shipment against defects in materials and workmanship when used as specified, providing confidence and protection for your investment.
Factory Service, Repair & Replacement – Gentec-EO will repair or replace any unit found defective during the warranty period (excluding misuse), mirroring support offered for other high-end laser power detectors and integrating spheres.
Authorized Service Network – Global support via local Gentec-EO distributors and direct factory service in Québec, Canada, ensuring fast turnaround and expert assistance for calibration and repairs.
Clear Safety & EMC Guidance – Supplied with detailed user manual instructions on safe operation, interference mitigation (antenna orientation, distance, power circuit separation), and compliance, helping maintain measurement integrity and operator safety.
Misuse & Unauthorized Repair Protection – Warranty protection remains valid under normal use; any unauthorized modification or repair voids the warranty, preserving calibration integrity and long‑term reliability.
Ideal for Lab and Industrial Environments – Well suited for laser power monitoring, LED testing, and optical source characterization in laboratories, production lines, and test benches where stable, repeatable readings are critical.
Trusted Gentec-EO Brand – Built by Gentec Electro-Optics Inc., a recognized manufacturer of laser power meters, energy detectors, and integrating spheres, widely used in photonics research, manufacturing, and metrology worldwide.

Applications

Laser Power and Energy Measurement
Designed to accurately measure average power from continuous-wave (CW) and modulated lasers across a wide spectral range in R&D labs, production lines, and field service.
High-Power Laser Beam Diagnostics
Enables safe measurement and characterization of high-power and large-diameter laser beams (including multimode and unstable beams) without damaging conventional sensors.
Calibration of Laser Sources and Optical Systems
Used as a reference detector for calibrating laser output power, optical fiber delivery systems, beam expanders, and other optics in metrology and standards laboratories.
Uniform Spatial Averaging for Non-Uniform Beams
Integrates spatially inhomogeneous or structured beams (e.g., TEM multimode, top-hat, Bessel, and highly divergent beams) to provide a precise total power reading independent of beam profile.
Measurement of Divergent and Free-Space Sources
Ideal for characterizing LEDs, VCSEL arrays, laser diodes, and other divergent sources where conventional aperture-based detectors underestimate total emitted flux.
Fiber-Coupled Source Power Measurement
Measures power from single-mode, multimode, and large-core optical fibers via dedicated fiber adapters, ensuring accurate coupling efficiency and source performance evaluation.
Optical Component Transmission and Reflection Testing
Combined with reference measurements, integrates transmitted or reflected power through filters, lenses, mirrors, and AR coatings to determine loss and efficiency with high repeatability.
Laser Safety and Compliance Verification
Supports classification and safety audits of laser products (IEC 60825, FDA CDRH, etc.) by accurately measuring accessible emission levels and verifying compliance with exposure limits.
Industrial Laser Process Monitoring
Monitors output power of lasers used in cutting, welding, marking, additive manufacturing, and micro-machining to stabilize processes and optimize throughput and quality.
OEM Integration in Automated Test Systems
Integrating sphere heads can be embedded into automated laser test stations and production handlers for fast, repeatable power checks in high-volume manufacturing.
Laser Diode Burn-In and Reliability Testing
Measures cumulative power of multiple diodes or arrays during accelerated life, burn-in, and reliability tests to detect degradation or instabilities over time.
Broadband Source and Supercontinuum Characterization
Suitable for measuring total output of broadband and supercontinuum sources where beam geometry and spectral distribution vary, providing a robust averaged power reading.
Optical Telecom and Datacom Component Testing
Used to evaluate transmitters, amplifiers, and passive components in telecom bands by accurately measuring launched power and insertion loss in laboratory or production environments.
LED, OLED, and Solid-State Lighting Evaluation
When coupled appropriately, can measure optical output power of LEDs, OLEDs, and other solid-state lighting elements for development, quality control, and binning.
Medical and Aesthetic Laser System Verification
Provides traceable power measurements for medical, dental, dermatology, and aesthetic laser instruments to confirm performance before clinical use and during periodic QA checks.
Scientific Research and Experimental Optics
Commonly used in university and government labs for experiments involving nonlinear optics, spectroscopy setups, and general photonics research that require reliable power monitoring.
Pulsed Laser Average Power Measurement
Measures average power of pulsed lasers over a wide range of repetition rates, providing a convenient way to derive pulse energy when combined with known repetition frequency.
Beam Alignment and System Setup
Used during installation and alignment of laser systems to quickly verify total coupled power at different points in the optical path, helping to maximize throughput and minimize losses.
Quality Control in Laser Manufacturing
Integrated into final test and incoming inspection to verify that laser modules and systems meet specified power levels and stability criteria before shipment.