Intercomparison between a C-Series Reference Calorimeter and Two Commercially Available Laser Power/Energy Meters

An intercomparison between a C-series reference calorimeter and two commercially available laser power/energy meters has been undertaken. The intercomparison has been performed at three visible laser wavelengths (488.0 nm, 514.5 nm, and 632.8 nm) and one near infrared laser wavelength (1064.0 nm). Power and energy levels presented to the instruments ranged from approximately 0.1 mW to 20 W and from 0.9 mJ to 16 J. One of the power/energy meters has a volume absorbing disc calorimeter as the detector head; the other power/energy meter was evaluated using three of the available detector heads (silicon, pyroelectric, and thermal disc). The results show linear response for all four of the detectors. Agreement was obtained within experimental uncertainties for the volume absorbing disc calorimeter and the silicon detector. The average correction factors obtained for the thermal disc detector agree to within the accuracy stated by the manufacturer combined with the estimated experimental uncertainties. The average correction factors obtained for the pyroelectric detector exceed, by approximately 2 percent, the accuracy stated by the manufacturer combined with the estimated experimental uncertainties. In addition, the volume absorbing disc calorimeter, and the silicon and pyroelectric detectors have other limitations in their operation that should be taken into account prior to the instruments' use.