Nano-textured attenuator for use with laser beam profiling and laser beam characterization systems and method of use

A nano-textured attenuator for use in laser beam characterization systems, comprising:

• a body defining at least one input aperture, at least one measurement aperture, and at least one first beam dump aperture;
• a beamsplitter positioned within the body, the beamsplitter having a surface having undergone a nano-texturing process, the surface allowing 99.99% to 99.99999% of an input beam to be transmitted therethrough and allowing 0.01% to 0.00001% of the input beam to be reflected therefrom to form at least one partially attenuated beam;
• at least one optical element positioned within the body, the at least one optical element having a surface having undergone a nano-texturing process, the surface allowing 99.99% to 99.99999% of the at least one partially attenuated beam to be transmitted therethrough and allowing 0.01% to 0.00001% of the at least one partially attenuated beam to be reflected therefrom to form at least one attenuated measurement beam;
• and
• at least one camera system in communication with the at least one measurement aperture, the at least one camera system configured to receive the at least one attenuated measurement beam and measure at least one characteristic of the at least one attenuated measurement beam.

A method of measuring an optical signal, comprising:

• providing a nano-textured attenuator having a first beamsplitter, at least a second beamsplitter, and at least one beam dump aperture;
• directing at least one input beam to the first beamsplitter;
• reflecting a portion of the at least one input beam with the first beamsplitter to form at least one partially attenuated beam, the at least one partially attenuated beam having 0.01% to 0.00001% of a power of the at least one input beam while transmitting 99.99% to 99.99999% of the at least one input beam through the first beamsplitter;
• reflecting a portion of the at least one partially attenuated beam from the first beamsplitter with the at least a second textured beamsplitter to form at least one attenuated measurement beam, the at least one attenuated measurement beam having of the at least one partially attenuated beam while transmitting 99.99% to 99.99999% of the at least one partially attenuated beam through the at least a second beamsplitter;
• and
• directing at least a portion of the at least one input beam through the at least one beam dump aperture;
• measuring at least one optical characteristic of the at least one attenuated measurement beam with at least one sensor system.