DataRay WinCam-IR-BB Mid- to Far-Infrared Beam Profiler

Overview

The DataRay WinCam-IR-BB is a high-sensitivity, uncooled microbolometer-based beam profiling system engineered for quantitative spatial characterization of mid- to far-infrared (MIR/FIR) laser beams across the 2–16 µm spectral range. Unlike photon-based detectors requiring cryogenic cooling or mechanical choppers, the WinCam-IR-BB employs a thermally isolated silicon microbolometer focal plane array (FPA) operating at ambient temperature—enabling stable, drift-free measurements of both continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed lasers with repetition rates ≥1 kHz. Its measurement principle relies on infrared photon absorption-induced thermal resistance changes in each pixel, digitized via a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 4 MB onboard image buffer. The system complies with ISO 11146-1:2005 and ISO 11146-2:2005 standards for laser beam width, divergence, and M² factor determination, supporting rigorous metrology in R&D, manufacturing QC, and field service environments.

Key Features

• Uncooled Si microbolometer sensor with 640 × 480 active pixels and 17 µm pitch
• Effective aperture: 10.8 mm × 8.2 mm; full spectral response from 2 µm to 16 µm
• High dynamic range: ≥1000:1 RMS signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at typical operating conditions
• Low irradiance threshold: ~75 µW/cm² (5× peak-to-peak noise floor at 10.6 µm)
• Real-time frame rate: 30 fps native capture; 7.5 fps sustained output over USB 3.0
• Integrated mechanical shutter enabling fully automated non-uniformity correction (NUC) and dynamic baseline calibration
• USB 3.0 bus-powered operation—no external power supply or TEC required
• 14 ms thermal time constant; optimized for pulse-to-pulse stability in high-repetition-rate applications
• Supports beam propagation analysis, centroid tracking, knife-edge integration, and ISO-compliant second-moment calculations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The WinCam-IR-BB is compatible with CO₂ (9.4 µm, 10.6 µm), quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), and other MIR/FIR sources emitting between 2–16 µm. It accommodates both collimated and focused beams up to 10.8 mm in diameter without vignetting. For high-power applications (>1 W), optional reflective or absorptive attenuators—including calibrated wedges, diffusers, and pellicle beam samplers—are available to extend damage threshold while preserving spatial fidelity. All hardware and firmware conform to CE, RoHS, and FCC Part 15 Class B electromagnetic compatibility requirements. Software workflows support audit trails and electronic signatures per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed in regulated GMP/GLP laboratories.

Software & Data Management

DataRay’s proprietary WinCamD software (v7.x or later) provides a modular, license-free platform with unlimited installations and perpetual free updates. The GUI supports real-time beam visualization, multi-parameter overlays (intensity cross-sections, FWHM, D4σ, ellipticity, kurtosis), and batch export in CSV, HDF5, and TIFF formats. Integration with the M²DU add-on module enables full M² measurement sequences—including variable propagation distance scanning, auto-focus detection, and ISO 11146-compliant curve fitting. Onboard NUC routines execute automatically during startup or user-triggered calibration, compensating for pixel-to-pixel responsivity variations without interrupting workflow. Data logging includes timestamped metadata (wavelength, exposure, attenuation factor, calibration ID) compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 traceability frameworks.

Applications

• Quantitative beam profiling of CO₂, QCL, and FIR laser systems in industrial cutting, medical ablation, and spectroscopy
• Alignment verification and focus optimization of MIR optical train components (lenses, mirrors, waveguides)
• Beam pointing stability monitoring and long-term drift analysis in vacuum or environmental enclosures
• Characterization of thermal source emissivity profiles and blackbody calibration reference beams
• Field service diagnostics for OEM laser subsystems requiring portable, battery-independent IR imaging
• Academic research in nonlinear optics, atmospheric sensing, and terahertz generation where broadband IR detection is critical

FAQ

Does the WinCam-IR-BB require liquid nitrogen or thermoelectric cooling?

No—it operates at ambient temperature using an uncooled silicon microbolometer array, eliminating maintenance overhead and thermal stabilization delays.
Can it measure pulsed lasers with nanosecond durations?

Yes, provided pulse repetition rate ≥1 kHz and average power remains within detector saturation limits; single-shot capture is not supported due to thermal integration time.
Is USB 3.0 mandatory for full functionality?

Yes—USB 3.0 is required for 30 fps acquisition and real-time NUC processing; USB 2.0 fallback mode supports only 7.5 fps and limited buffer depth.
How is calibration traceability maintained?

Each unit ships with NIST-traceable responsivity data per pixel; users may perform in-house flat-field calibration using uniform blackbody sources or certified IR integrating spheres.
What third-party software interfaces are supported?

Native DLL/API access enables integration with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python (via PyWinCam), and C# applications for custom automation and data pipeline orchestration.