Mathematical modeling of devices for measuring of laser radiation characteristics by wire grids

Grids from thin metal wires are proposed for measurements of laser power and pulse energy. They may be used for measuring intensity distribution in beam. The main idea is that the wires will change their electric conductivity if they are heated by laser radiation. By placing an array of wires in a laser beam the measurement of the conductivity change of each wire delivers information about the spatial distribution of intensity. The resolution and the total absorption depend on the spatial density of the wires, where a higher density allows a higher resolution, and a lower density allows placing the wire grid directly in the laser beam with very small losses of power and the shape distortion of the beam cross-section.