Need to estimate the power rating of this unknown seller's green laser

I bought a green laser pointer from some Chinese stores on the internet. It was said to be 350mw green laser. But i don't quite believe it. It can burn electrical tape, melt a bit of a black plastic cd-case, but couldn't make a hole (even for a minute). I test the current of the pointer, it draws about .4 amps @ 3.7v. I am under the impression that a pump diode has about 20% power efficiency. With those details, can anyone tell me if the pointer is at least 150mw? :thinking:

Other thoughts: Never buy cheap laser from unknown seller. Planning to get a o-like pointer next time.:thinking:

my ~165mW CNI green has no problems melting through a cd case within 10seconds or less ..

i would have to say approx 100-130mw, at best.

It's not the pump diodes that vary, it's the MCA that is used to channel the pump energy and convert it to useful green laser light. Most of the time its about 15-20% conversion, though it varies from crystal to crystal. I have seen almsot 50% conversion in some very rare cases.

Can your laser light a match with just the stock lens (assuming it is collimated and not focused). If it can it is at msot likely putting out at least 80mW or so. To get an exact figure is not possible without a meter though. From what you say it seems much lower then 350mW though.

LaserRX said:

It's not the pump diodes that vary, it's the MCA that is used to channel the pump energy and convert it to useful green laser light. Most of the time its about 15-20% conversion, though it varies from crystal to crystal. I have seen almsot 50% conversion in some very rare cases.

Can your laser light a match with just the stock lens (assuming it is collimated and not focused). If it can it is at msot likely putting out at least 80mW or so. To get an exact figure is not possible without a meter though. From what you say it seems much lower then 350mW though.

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%50 efficiency doesnt seem right... I think the highest ive heard of is %30...

That being said the only way to truly find out your lasers power is measuring it.

jeffd said:

%50 efficiency doesnt seem right... I think the highest ive heard of is %30...

That being said the only way to truly find out your lasers power is measuring it.

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48% was what I tested on one mca at one point, and above 40 on another (the tests were very accurate). They do exist, but are just rare.