Method and a device for measuring the spatially averaged intensity of a light beam and a method and a device for regulating a light source

Method for measuring the spatially averaged intensity of a light beam provided by a light source, comprising

• (a) positioning a photoelectric element into the light beam emerging from said light source, said photoelectric element comprising an array of spatially distributed photoelectric members which are applied to a surface of an electrically non-conducting support and which are electrically connected with each other,
• each of said photoelectric members of said array having a surface adapted to receive, but not to transmit light, and
• said surface of said support comprising areas which allow light transmission, each of the latter areas being located between at least two areas of said support surface which are covered by said photoelectric members, and
• (b) measuring the intensity of the light beam provided by the light source by means of said photoelectric element.

A device for regulating the intensity of a light beam provided by a light source, comprising a photoelectric element by means of which the intensity of the light beam is measured, and a driving circuit for regulating the output power of the light source by feedback of a measuring signal provided by said photoelectric element to said driving circuit,

• said device being characterized in that
• said photoelectric element is located in a path of the light beam provided by said light source and
• said photoelectric element comprises an array of spatially distributed photoelectric members which are applied to a surface of an electrically non-conducting support and which are electrically connected with each other,
• each of said photoelectric members of said array having a surface adapted to receive, but not to transmit light, and
• said surface of said support comprising areas which allow light transmission, each of the latter areas being located between at least two areas of said support surface which are covered by said photoelectric members.

Method for regulating a light source, comprising

• (a) measuring the intensity of a light beam provided by a light source by means of a photoelectric element located in a path of the light beam provided by said light source in order to generate a measuring signal representative of said intensity, said photoelectric element comprising an array of spatially distributed photoelectric members which are applied to a surface of an electrically non-conducting support and which are electrically connected with each other,
• each of said photoelectric members of said array having a surface adapted to receive, but not to transmit light, and
• said surface of said support comprising areas which allow light transmission, each of the latter areas being located between at least two areas of said support surface which are covered by said photoelectric members, and
• (b) regulating the intensity of the light beam provided by the light source by means of a driving circuit, said regulating step including a feedback of said measuring signal provided by said photoelectric element to said driving circuit.