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With the advancement of ultra high intensity laser facilities, free-space optical communications, and large-scale experimental physics, ensuring precise control over laser beam quality is becoming increasingly critical. For large-aperture high-power beams, stability in focusing and overall beam quality directly affect both research outcomes and system reliability. Active wavefront monitoring and analysis for beams exceeding 100 mm in diameter remain a technical challenge for leading research and engineering teams.

Traditional Testing: Powerful, Yet Limited

Fizeau interferometers remain a gold standard for off-line metrology of large mirrors and passive optical components. While they excel in controlled, static environments, they struggle in live, high-energy, or dynamic beam settings due to their limited measurement dynamic range, sensitivity to vibrations, air turbulence, and large footprint. As a result, they cannot provide real-time, in-situ diagnostics or feedback required for most active laser systems.

Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors and similar microlens-array-based solutions have become popular for their speed and ease of integration. However, they are often constrained by limited spatial resolution and dynamic range, making them less suitable for comprehensive, high-precision beam analysis across large fields of view. Moreover, their ability to assess complex wavefront aberrations and simultaneously analyze multiple key parameters remains limited—posing bottlenecks for advanced laser engineering applications.

Because traditional methods can't fully balance high resolution, large aperture, real-time performance, field adaptability, and comprehensive parameter output, end-users face issues such as:

• Complex site environments lead to high deployment and maintenance costs.
• Key metrics like wavefront, intensity, and M² factor cannot be measured simultaneously.
• Real-time monitoring and closed-loop feedback are limited, making tuning and optimization inefficient.
• Especially for active optics and engineering systems, traditional techniques are increasingly inadequate.

Comprehensive, Real-Time Analysis of Large-Aperture Laser Beams—All in One Measurement with PHASICS KALAS system

KALAS is engineered specifically to address the demands of large-aperture, active laser systems. Leveraging PHASICS’ proprietary Quadriwave Lateral Shearing Interferometry (QWLSI) technology, KALAS combines a high-precision wavefront sensor with a modular platform, delivering unparalleled performance in challenging, real-world environments.

Figure 1: Phasics KALAS system

 

Key Technical Highlights

 

• One-shot acquisitions:  Captures wavefront, waist, and M² — no complex alignment required.
• High Spatial Resolution: Capture both global beam shape and local detail with high fidelity.
• Modular & Flexible: Easy integration into experimental setups or laser beamlines; scalable to your needs.
• User-Friendly Operation: Intuitive software enables rapid setup, real-time measurement, and automatic data analysis.
• Closed-loop compatibility : Works with adaptive optics for dynamic wavefront correction
• True Large-Aperture Capability: Up to 127 mm input pupil as standard, with larger options available
• Broad Spectral Coverage: Compatible with visible, NIR, and SWIR sources.

At a Glance: KALAS system Core Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Supported Sensors	SID4 / SID4 HR / SID4 SWIR / SID4 SWIR HR
Input Pupil Diameter	8 / 15 / 25.4 / 50.8 / 101.6 / 127 mm (others on request)
Wavelength Range	405, 530, 740, 780, 810, 850, 940, 1050, 1550 nm
Absolute Accuracy	< 15 nm RMS

Custom pupil diameters and wavelength compatibility available on request.

One measurement, complete results: KALAS delivers simultaneous outputs for wavefront, intensity profile, divergence, beam waist, and M² factor—enabling full-scope laser beam quality evaluation and optimization in a single acquisition.

Applications & Comparison with Kaleo KIT Solutions

KALAS is now widely adopted for beam quality control in large-aperture lasers, amplifier chain tuning, and adaptive optics feedback, as well as consistency analysis in high-energy laser projects worldwide.

For passive optics (mirrors, windows, optical elements), PHASICS also offers the Kaleo Kit, tailored for ultra-high-resolution, static metrology in labs and factories—perfect for measuring TWE, RWE, wavefront aberrations, MTF, and PSF.

• KALAS: Ideal for real-time, dynamic measurement of active laser beams in high-power or space-communication systems. Key for direct support of system tuning and optimization.
• Kaleo Kit: Best for static, lab-based, or production-line measurements of passive optics, with a focus on ultra-precise characterization.

 

Figure 2: Phasics Kaleo Kit system

 

Looking for in-depth case studies or a live demonstration?

• Download the KALAS Solutions Brochure (PDF) here
• Download the KALEO KIT Solutions Brochure (PDF) here

Contact PHASICS team and explore our latest technical articles for real-world applications and detailed insights.