Measurement of the distribution of intensity in a beam of thermal radiation

An experiment is described which involves measurements of the distribution of intensity in a beam of optical radiation using a grid of metal wires (bolometers). The resistance of each bolometer is determined, which depends on the intensity of radiation at the location of the bolometer. The detector rotates around the axis passing through the center of the grid normally to its plane. The resistance of the bolometers is measured for several positions of the grid. The resultant data are processed in a computer by an algorithm similar to that of tomography.