How to calculate pulse energy?

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To calculate the energy of a pulse from a laser detected by a photodiode, the output voltage can be measured using an oscilloscope. The voltage detected is proportional to the optical power of the laser pulse, so calibration with a known light source is recommended. The energy of the pulse can be determined by multiplying the power (derived from the voltage measurement) by the duration of the pulse. Understanding the units of illumination and the characteristics of the photodiode is crucial for accurate calculations. Proper calibration and reference measurements are essential for reliable results.
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The pulse laser is converted by photo detector(PD) into electrical current. And we can see output voltage of photo detector by using oscilloscope.

Now we get voltage function detected by PD. Now I need to calculate energy of pulse. But I don't know how I do it.. Is there any formula I can use??
 
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Jiho said:
The pulse laser is converted
I should hope not :rolleyes: !
You want to know an expression for the conversion of some voltage resulting from a laser pulse that hits a photodiode. So you need to calibrate your setup. Not so easy. You don't happen to have a power meter, I suppose ? So what do you know of your photodiode ?
 
Jiho said:
The pulse laser is converted by photo detector(PD) into electrical current. And we can see output voltage of photo detector by using oscilloscope.

Now we get voltage function detected by PD. Now I need to calculate energy of pulse. But I don't know how I do it.. Is there any formula I can use??
I think the simple assumption is that the output voltage of the diode is proportional to optical power. Maybe you could then obtain a reference by using the light from a known source - not a standard candle (!) but maybe a known lamp. You would need to study the units of illumination to do this. Remember the laser has a parallel beam so it does not fall with distance (until many km).
The energy contained in the pulse will be its power x time.
 

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