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- mount one of the copper L-brackets on the microchip laser block (MC-bracket-A) in front of the GRIN lens
- power up the diode at low power (around 1.5A current)
- with a IR viewing plate, examine the beam coming out of the GRIN lens. There should be areas with low radiation density and (near the focus of the GRIN lens) areas with high beam density. Use the backside of the IR viewing plate for the high density areas. The backside is less sensitive and can survive higher densities, while the coating on the frontside would burn quickly in the focal point. Ensure that the beam out of the GRIN lens is going down the middle of the groove of the L-bracket. This means that the laser will be entering the crystal (which we will install next) perpendicular and go through its center.
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