Fast-response meter for measuring the power of carbon dioxide laser radiation

A theory is given of the operation of a detector element suitable for measuring the power of transmitted CO₂ laser radiation. The experimental results of a study of this element are also reported. The element consists of a double array of thin-wire (3.8 μ diameter) bolometers. When this detector is coupled to a suitable circuit, we can use it to measure power densities beginning from 5 W/cm² with an error of ± 13%. The response time is 1 msec and the transmission coefficient of the detector exceeds 98%.