Rating: Good
Strong Points: Able to record and save power meter data from your phone
Weak Points: Requires purchase of physical power meter device
Platform: iPad/iPhone/Android
Cost: Free
Optogenetics continues to be one of the easiest ways to directly and quickly manipulate the behavior of cells, and the lasers necessary to employ this method are often inexpensive and easy to find. However, an essential yet sometimes overlooked step is making sure that your laser is emitting an accurate power of light. The Optical Power Meter app, combined with a Bluetooth-enabled physical power meter, offers an interesting solution to making sure your lasers are firing at the correct wattage. The app connects to the PM160 device wirelessly, allowing users to seamlessly measure the optical power of their laser. The advantage of this device over typical power meters is that the app allows you to record, save, and upload your readings, making it easier than ever to keep an eye on how stable your laser is over time.