An optical power meter measures the photon energy in the form of current or voltage from an optical detector such as a semiconductor, a thermopile, or a pyroelectric detector. The term usually refers to a device used for measuring the average power in fiber optic systems. Other general purpose light power measuring devices are usually called radiometers, photometers, laser power. This article provides a comprehensive overview of optical power meters, instruments used to measure the power of light beams. An OPM uses a photodiode to generate an electrical current proportional to optical power.
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