The objective of this study is to improve the accuracy of laser pointing by stabilizing the beam to stay constant on a specific target. To increase accuracy and stabilize the laser, a laser detection and stabilizer system was created. The computer programs Labview and NI Vision Acquisition Module, by National Instruments, were used in this investigation. The abovementioned programs were used to create a driver that allows the system to continuously complete specific tasks. The system itself consists of a webcam, mirror, motorized mirror mount, and a computer. The webcam captures the position of the laser and calculates the laser’s center of mass (the position is represented by coordinates on a Cartesian plane); Feedback is then sent to the mirror mount to correct the drift. The mirror mount controls the direction of the laser by corresponding to the analyzed destination sent by the webcam. If the laser starts to drift away from the target, the center of mass calculation will change. As soon as the center of mass coordinates change by 0.2 decimals, the mirror mount redirects the laser back to the target. This system is now used to improve the overall accuracy of the laser pointing stability’s active feedback.

1. Enhancing Target Efficiency of a Laser by the Integration of a Stabilization System
ABSTRACT METHODS
Nadim Bari
Wayne State Department of Chemistry
INTRODUCTION
Some laboratories use lasers to conduct important experiments
to help bring forth the advancement of science. Lasers may be
used for several experimental purposes. Laser applications may
be included in (but is not limited to) the breaking of particles,
photochemistry, nuclear fusion, spectroscopy, material
processing etc. However, not all lasers are stable and can drift
away from their target. Consequently, experimental results may
become less accurate and the experiment itself may be less
efficient.
The objective of this study is to improve the accuracy of laser
pointing by stabilizing the beam to stay constant on a specific
target. To increase accuracy and stabilize the laser, a laser
detection and stabilizer system was created. The computer
programs Labview and NI Vision Acquisition Module, by
National Instruments, were used in this investigation. The
abovementioned programs were used to create a driver that
allows the system to continuously complete specific tasks. The
system itself consists of a webcam, mirror, motorized mirror
mount, and a computer. The webcam captures the position of
the laser and calculates the laser’s center of mass (the position is
represented by coordinates on a Cartesian plane); Feedback is
then sent to the mirror mount to correct the drift. The mirror
mount controls the direction of the laser by corresponding to the
analyzed destination sent by the webcam. If the laser starts to
drift away from the target, the center of mass calculation will
change. As soon as the center of mass coordinates change by
0.2 decimals, the mirror mount redirects the laser back to the
target. This system is now used to improve the overall accuracy
of the laser pointing stability’s active feedback.
RESULTS
MATERIALS
• Labview 2012 with Vision Development Module
• Laser
• Adjustable Laser Mount
• Reflective Filter
• Adjustable Filter Mount
• Microsoft Web Camera
• Agilis Piezo Motor Driven Optical Mount
The Block Diagram
The Front Panel of VI
Vision Acquisition Center of Mass Calculator
Example VI of Mirror MountFour Numeric Controls
Experimental Set Up
Acknowledgments
Thank you to The American Chemical Society sections of Detroit and
Washington as well as Wayne State’s Department of Chemistry for
financial support . Thank you to Dr. Wen Li, Sue Lee , and Pradip
Adhikari for helping with the project. Thank you Dr. Keith Williams,
Felicia Benson, and Dr. Joe Dunbar (WSU Office of Research) for
providing me the opportunity to do this project.
CONCLUSION
As the laser slowly drifted from its target, the mirror mount
automatically adjusted to correct the drift. The laser was
constantly kept to a fixed position. Thus, we have successfully
stabilized the laser by creating a driver (VI) that enables the
materials used to keep the laser constant on the target. The
proposed method is general and can be applied to other systems.
Note: To see a complete Block Diagram with all sections connected and detailed, please look at hand-out
#1. To see complete details of Virtual Instruments, please see hand-out #2.