How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

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lechristophe lechristophe
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How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

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Dear microscopists,

I'm sure this is quite a stupid question. I keep seeing laser power
expressed as W/cm2 or kW/cm2 in super-resolution articles. I have a laser
for which I know the power out of the coupling fiber (let's say 50 mW),
that I use to illuminate the full field of a 100X, NA 1.49 objective
(similar to a TIRF laser setup, but not inclined). How can I estimate the
power density on the sample, assuming that there is no power loss in the
objective? It looks like I need to know the field of view area, but I'm not
sure what surface is actually illuminated : it is at least as large as the
ocular field of view, but could it be larger?

Thanks for your help,

Christophe
Craig Brideau Craig Brideau
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Re: How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

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There will be quite a bit of power loss through the objective, depending on
your magnification and numerical aperture.  You really should measure the
power after the objective, if possible.

Craig


On Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 6:07 AM, Christophe Leterrier <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Dear microscopists,
>
> I'm sure this is quite a stupid question. I keep seeing laser power
> expressed as W/cm2 or kW/cm2 in super-resolution articles. I have a laser
> for which I know the power out of the coupling fiber (let's say 50 mW),
> that I use to illuminate the full field of a 100X, NA 1.49 objective
> (similar to a TIRF laser setup, but not inclined). How can I estimate the
> power density on the sample, assuming that there is no power loss in the
> objective? It looks like I need to know the field of view area, but I'm not
> sure what surface is actually illuminated : it is at least as large as the
> ocular field of view, but could it be larger?
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Christophe
>
Unruh, Jay Unruh, Jay
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Re: How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

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I agree about measuring the power after the objective.

As far as illumination size is concerned: many high power experiments are done without full field illumination (lower NA going into the back aperture).  In that case, you can see the illumination profile and measure it.  If this is not possible, then I would use the objective manufacturer's field of view specifications.   Alternatively, you could use a field diaphragm to crop the illumination until the edges are visible and then measure the power and illuminated area.  That same power density should then apply to the illumination without the diaphragm.

Jay

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Craig Brideau
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 12:19 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

*****
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There will be quite a bit of power loss through the objective, depending on your magnification and numerical aperture.  You really should measure the power after the objective, if possible.

Craig


On Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 6:07 AM, Christophe Leterrier < [hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> Dear microscopists,
>
> I'm sure this is quite a stupid question. I keep seeing laser power
> expressed as W/cm2 or kW/cm2 in super-resolution articles. I have a
> laser for which I know the power out of the coupling fiber (let's say
> 50 mW), that I use to illuminate the full field of a 100X, NA 1.49
> objective (similar to a TIRF laser setup, but not inclined). How can I
> estimate the power density on the sample, assuming that there is no
> power loss in the objective? It looks like I need to know the field of
> view area, but I'm not sure what surface is actually illuminated : it
> is at least as large as the ocular field of view, but could it be larger?
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Christophe
>
D Doherty D Doherty
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Re: How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

In reply to this post by lechristophe
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Commercial reply



I suggest you visit www.prior.com and look at the Lumaspec800 product.
This is a spectral power meter, measuring at the objective. It has a 350-
800 nm range currently and the target / tool is built with a 1x3 slide format.



Regards,



Dennis
Richard Cole Richard Cole
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Re: How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

In reply to this post by lechristophe
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It is imperative to include the objective lens in any power measurement
(completely agree with others responding).  The most accurate method is to
use two similar objectives, both focused on the same area but from opposite
sides, measuring the power at the back aperture of the second objective
(infinite corrected objective make this much easier).  If you want more info
just shoot me an email.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

 

 

 

Richard Cole
Research Scientist V
Director: Advanced Light Microscopy Core Unit
Wadsworth Center

 

Research Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biomedical Sciences
School of Public Health State University of New York


P.O. Box 509 Albany N.Y. 12201-0509
518-474-7048 Phone
518-474-4430 Fax

 

Email  <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email]

Website  <http://www.wadsworth.org/cores/alm/index.htm>
www.wadsworth.org/cores/alm/index.htm

 

 


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mcammer mcammer
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Re: How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

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The graphs at http://cammer.net/historical/aif/instructions/fluor-ref-slides/40X.htm from more than ten years ago show a quick comparison of the importance of measuring throughput at the specific wavelengths you are using.  The graph only shows relative throughputs for the 40X objectives we had in the lab at the time, not measured mW, but makes the point.

Now to measure power we put a light meter probe where the sample would be.  With high NA objectives we measure through a glass slide or coverslip with oil.

Regards,

Michael


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Cole
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 9:01 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: How to calculate an estimate of power density for laser illumination ?

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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It is imperative to include the objective lens in any power measurement (completely agree with others responding).  The most accurate method is to use two similar objectives, both focused on the same area but from opposite sides, measuring the power at the back aperture of the second objective (infinite corrected objective make this much easier).  If you want more info just shoot me an email.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

 

 

 

Richard Cole
Research Scientist V
Director: Advanced Light Microscopy Core Unit Wadsworth Center

 

Research Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biomedical Sciences
School of Public Health State University of New York


P.O. Box 509 Albany N.Y. 12201-0509
518-474-7048 Phone
518-474-4430 Fax

 

Email  <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email]

Website  <http://www.wadsworth.org/cores/alm/index.htm>
www.wadsworth.org/cores/alm/index.htm

 

 


Browse the  <http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?LIST=CONFOCALMICROSCOPY>
CONFOCALMICROSCOPY online archives.

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