An affordable and highly precise laser beam collimator for optical dust concentration measurement

Abstract Optical dust concentration measurement instruments are widely utilized in various industries due to their rapid measurement capabilities and stable results. A critical component of these instruments is the laser beam collimator, which generates high-quality laser beams to ensure beam stability and consistency. However, existing commercial collimators are often expensive to operate and require complex manual maintenance. This study presents a novel laser beam collimator designed to generate forward-scattered light with the advantages of low manufacturing costs, a simple mechanical structure, easy operation, convenient installation, and high precision. Through Zemax simulation, the optimal design was identified. After mechanical processing and installation adjustments, it was found that the proposed collimator design reduces costs by 70% compared to traditional designs while maintaining comparable precision (around 98%). The proposed laser beam collimator design demonstrates significant potential for practical applications, offering an affordable and efficient solution for optical dust concentration measurement.