Intramural Comparison of NIST Laser and Optical Fiber Power Calibrations

• Published in: Journal of research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Vol. 109; no. 2; pp. 291 - 298
• Main Authors: Lehman, John H, Vayshenker, Igor, Livigni, David J, Hadler, Joshua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Institute of Standards and Technology 01.03.2004; Superintendent of Documents; [Gaithersburg, MD] : U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Subjects: Calibration; Fiber optics; Lasers; Radiometers; Technology standards; absolute responsivity; optical power; spectral responsivity; laser; pyroelectric detector; intercomparison; calorimeter; optical fiber; cryogenic radiometer
• ISSN: 1044-677X; 2165-7254
• DOI: 10.6028/jres.109.019

The responsivity of two optical detectors was determined by the method of direct substitution in four different NIST measurement facilities. The measurements were intended to demonstrate the determination of absolute responsivity as provided by NIST calibration services at laser and optical-communication wavelengths; nominally 633 nm, 850 nm, 1060 nm, 1310 nm, and 1550 nm. The optical detectors have been designated as checks standards for the purpose of routine intramural comparison of our calibration services and to meet requirements of the NIST quality system, based on ISO 17025. The check standards are two optical-trap detectors, one based on silicon and the other on indium gallium arsenide photodiodes. The four measurement services are based on: (1) the laser optimized cryogenic radiometer (LOCR) and free field collimated laser light; (2) the C-series isoperibol calorimeter and free-field collimated laser light; (3) the electrically calibrated pyroelectric radiometer and fiber-coupled laser light; (4) the pyroelectric wedge trap detector, which measures light from a lamp source and monochromator. The results indicate that the responsivity of the check standards, as determined independently using the four services, agree to within the published expanded uncertainty ranging from approximately 0.02 % to 1.24 %.