What Is an Optical Power Meter?

Optical power meters are typically composed of a photodiode, or photodetector, that transforms light into an electric current, an amplifier that transforms the current into voltage, and a converter that changes the voltage into a digital signal. Most optical power meters rely on semiconductor detectors, such as silicon, indium-gallium-arsenide and germanium, because of their sensitivity to light at wavelengths frequently used in fiber optics.