ISO 11145:2026

Overview

ISO 11145:2026 - Optics and photonics - Lasers and laser-related equipment - Vocabulary and symbols is an international standard developed by ISO to provide a unified set of terms, symbols, and units for the laser technology field. This standard ensures clear, consistent communication in optics and photonics by establishing a common vocabulary for describing beam parameters, laser properties, and laser-related equipment. ISO 11145:2026 aids manufacturers, researchers, engineers, and testing laboratories in applying reproducible test methods and accurately describing laser product characteristics.

Key Topics

ISO 11145:2026 covers vital terminology and symbols, supporting precise measurement and specification of laser beams and devices. Key topic areas include:

• Beam Characteristics
  • Definitions for beam position, axis, diameter, radius, width, and cross-sectional area
  • Concepts of beam waist and divergence
  • Parameters such as Rayleigh length, beam parameter product, and beam propagation factor
• Coherence and Polarization
  • Temporal and spatial coherence, coherence length and time
  • Forms of polarization: linear, circular, elliptical, and partial polarization
• Radiant Power and Energy
  • Flounce, irradiance, average and peak power, radiant pulse energy
  • Measurements for continuous wave and pulsed lasers
• Pulse Duration and Repetition Rate
  • Definitions for pulse duration, full width half maximum (FWHM), and repetition rate
• Optical Resonator and Modes
  • Structure of optical resonators and concepts of longitudinal and transverse modes
• Spectral Bandwidth and Noise
  • Definitions for spectral bandwidth and relative intensity noise (RIN)
• Efficiency Metrics
  • Laser efficiency, quantum efficiency, and device efficiency

ISO 11145:2026 also includes guidance for symbol usage and units of measurement, supporting international harmonization.

Applications

ISO 11145:2026 is a foundational reference in numerous optics and photonics industries, ensuring standardized communication for:

• Laser Manufacturing: Facilitates clear product specification and interoperability by defining critical terms such as laser beam, emission modes, and efficiency.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Provides the basis for reproducible testing of beam parameters, leading to more reliable product performance evaluations.
• Research and Development: Ensures consistent terminology in academic and industrial research, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• International Trade: Supports regulatory compliance and product export by aligning with globally recognized laser terminology standards.
• Technical Documentation: Streamlines preparation of datasheets, manuals, and regulatory reports through use of accepted vocabulary.

By adopting ISO 11145:2026, professionals in optics, photonics, and laser-related domains can reduce misinterpretation, enhance collaboration, and improve the quality of products and documentation.

Related Standards

For comprehensive laser technology standardization, reference the following related standards:

• IEC 60825-1: Safety of laser products – Diverges in vocabulary purpose from ISO 11145; see Annex A of ISO 11145 for comparative explanation.
• ISO 11146 series: Measurement methods for beam width, divergence, and propagation ratio using second-moment techniques.
• ISO/TR 11146-3: Test methods using the moving slit technique for laser beam width.
• ISO 11670: Laser and laser-related equipment - Test methods for beam positional stability.
• ISO 13694: Standard on laser beam power (energy) density distribution measurements.

These and other international optoelectronics standards form a complete framework for the specification, measurement, and safety of lasers and laser-related equipment.

Keywords: ISO 11145:2026, laser vocabulary, laser symbols, laser terminology, optics and photonics standard, beam parameters, laser measurement, international laser standard, laser technology documentation.