Green Laser Lifetime

I have noticed that most companies say that their green laser pointers have a lifetime of 3000 to 5000 hours. What specific part of the laser is most likely to fail after this time period?

Another question. I would think more powerful lasers would have a shorter lifetime than less powerful ones. Realistically do you guys think a 75mW laser will have a lifetime of 3000 to 5000 hours? It's just that I have read a lot of people saying their laser has burned out, and they have had to send it back/etc.

Have you had a laser that has burned out relatively quickly? If so, what do you think the reason for this was? Did you not obey the duty cycle?

Thanks
-FIREMAGE

Hi FireMage2k

The lifecycle of the laser really depends on how much abuse you give the laser diode. The diode is the part of the laser that will eventually "burn out", much like a lightbulb.
Every lasers diode has a life expectancy regardless of the lasers power whether it be 5mW or 75mW because the diode is being driven by so many mA for that particular diodes capability.
So the higher the output of the laser....the higher rated diode is required and higher mA needed to drive it. Because more mA are needed to make the diode pump....doesn't mean it will burn it out quicker, it will just need more battery power to make it work.
The problems arise when 5mW lasers are pot modded to a point where the diode is being bombarded with mA far above what it was designed to take....hence it will not last very long.
Also, poor heat dissipation can also cause a diode to prematurely burn out....hence a duty cycle is required(1 minute on.....20 seconds off to cool it down). Heat is actually the cause for ANY electronic component to breakdown and fail eventually.....more heat, shorter its lifespan.

So every diode whether its a 5mW or 75mW has been designed to take its own particular power input that should make it last its 5000, 10000 hours etc