Quote:
Originally Posted by Suzy_A
A
A 1 mW laser may have a beam width of 1 mm or 0.78 mm2. This equates to a power density of (1 mW x ((1000mm*1000mm)/0.78mm2)) = 1274,000 mW/m2 or 1274 W/m2. This is almost exactly the same as the sun at it's zenith
Susan
Radiation Safety Officer
Senior Physicist
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Susan...interesting analysis...but you might want to check your math. The sun is a broad spectral source and its approx 1Kw per sq m flux is spread over a very large spectral range.
Lasers are spectrally very pure, and sure, in their particular frequency, can rival old Sol...but in terms of total power are not very energetic....hence to get the same flux over a *very* narrow band they need to be rated in 10's (if not more) of watts rather than milliwatts....
Cheers
Peter