Small Gaussian laser beam diameter measurement using a quadrant photodiode

A method that uses the quadrant photodiode has been shown to be relatively inexpensive and robust in measuring Gaussian laser beam diameters in two axes. This approach requires neither component rotation nor precision alignment, and it facilitates integration of Gaussian laser beam diameter measurement with laser beam tracking in instruments. The physical gap between sensors in the quadrant photodiode, however, limits laser beam diameter measurements to those in the millimeter range. Here, we describe a modified approach to measure Gaussian laser beam diameters that are significantly smaller.