First i would like to thank all of you that help me in this matter. I will be posting Pic's of the lay out of what I'm trying to make. i need to install my drawing software pad and pen first BUT here goes.

I'm trying to encapsulate a laser in a small AAA (or similar) box that will vaporize liquid that is on a wick (silica based). a vacuum will be created at the time of the burn pulling the vapor out of the wick chamber. The box will be hand held and controlled by a push button much like a laser pointer. I'm trying to keep cost WAY down. this is just a proto-type. I have seen lasers burn wood and tape but there is some things i have questions about, like what is the cheapest laser i can use? can i use a imr 18650 to power it? can i use a PTN04050CAZ to drive the laser? do i need a plate behind or around the wick to vaporize the liquid in the wick? what will be the battery life if 10 second or less of burn time is applied over a day or so, this would be like using a laser pointer in a presentation over two or three days (firing sequence). Hopefully I made myself clear as mud! Thanks again for all your help I'm sure you guys will have questions.

Why are you trying to use a laser? There are just so many obstacles to overcome with this approach. Why not be sensible and use nichrome wire?

that's what I'm trying to get away from the wire doesn't last long at all and it a pain to deal with. It should be easier to replace the diode if mounted in the box correctly and cost will be the same (I think?). But thanks for bring that up.

To be effective the colour / frequency would need to be chosen to suit the colour of the wick and / or liquid.

If it absorbs 808nm Infra Red, 445nm blue or 405nm (violet / border line UV) it could be done relatively cheaply (ie $50 to $100). The window in the vacuum chamber would also need to be transparent to the colour light you use.

1 Watt 445nm and 808nm diodes (and 800mW 405nm diodes) are *fairly* cheap, and you can melt solder with 445nm (search "Soldering with light" on the forum).

If the wire doesn't last long, you're driving it too hard. Use longer or thinner wire, or use a lower voltage source.

Oh another thing- you may need something a bit bigger than a AAA sized module. The higher the power of the diode and the longer you have it on, the bigger the heatsink will need to be.

Also, if it's in a vacuum chamber you may have to carefully think about cooling- vacuum is, by definition, a very good insulator and it won't have air circulation to cool it down. You would have to rely on the thermal inertia of the heatsink or liquid cool it.

NOTE everyone in the room will also NEED safety glasses. Infra red is worse as you can't see what it's reflecting off, and it may not make it though whatever window is in the vacuum chamber.

It still could be worth trying but lots of experimentation will be needed!

It sounds like you're trying to make a laser powered vaporizer or cartomizer for an e-cig. I have been thinking of doing that as well. You can buy replacement wire wound vaporizer heads 5/roughly $20.00 but they only last about two weeks each, you never know when you will have to replace one and besides, it's a pain, especially when higher technology exists.