BS EN ISO 13694:2018

What is ISO 13694 about?  

ISO 13694 specifies methods by which the measurement of power (energy) density distribution is made and defines parameters for the characterization of the spatial properties of laser power (energy) density distribution functions at a given plane. 

The methods given in ISO 13694 are intended to be used for the testing and characterization of both continuous wave (cw) and pulsed laser beams used in optics and optical instruments. 
ISO 13694 provides definitions of terms and symbols to be used in referring to power density distribution, as well as requirements for its measurement. For pulsed lasers, the distribution of time-integrated power density (i.e. energy density) is the quantity most often measured. 

Who is ISO 13694 for? 

ISO 13694 on laser beam power (energy) density distribution is useful for: 

• Laser equipment manufacturers 
• Clinicians 

Why should you use ISO 13694?  

Many applications of lasers involve using the near-field as well as the far-field power (energy) density distribution of the beam. The power (energy) density distribution of a laser beam is characterized by the spatial distribution of irradiant power (energy) density with lateral displacement in a particular plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation.  

ISO 13694 provides test methods that calculate the beam uniformity, goodness of fit, beam size and the higher moments of the beam.  

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN ISO 13694:2018 supersedes BS EN ISO 13694:2015. 

The main changes are as follows: 

• The definition of beam ellipticity has been harmonized with ISO 11145 and ISO 11146-1 
• The term “second linear moments” has been replaced by “second moments”; 
• The term “field of view” has been replaced by “aperture”; 
• The paragraphs on clip-levels were corrected to reflect that they are no 
  longer intended for noise cancelation; 
• The entries “Fitted distribution type”, “Roughness of fit R”, and “Goodness of fit G” have been removed from the Test Report; 
• The term “aspect ratio” has been removed from the test report