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Wavelength questions

S

Seraphist

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Jan 25, 2011
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*This is purely Hypothetical*
In your opinion, what wavelength would be bet used for burning ( by wich I mean any form of destroying) the largest number of substances. This would be assuming a stronger than normal/possible watt rating if necessary. Essentially the best laser wavelength for a "laser weapon".

I am in no way saying that Lasers should be used as a weapon. And I do not condone laser mis-use. This is more or less research for a book I am writing and I like to be as realistic as possible.
 





E

ElektroFreak

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Typically the shorter the wavelength the more energy per photon, thus the more indiscriminate the burning capability. UV/deep blue lasers will burn more substances with less overall power. With IR lasers, however, it's technologically easier to obtain mind-bogglingly high powers, like megawatts, so the most current laser weapon designs work in the IR range.
 
A

anselm

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Far infrared IR lasers, like CO2 lasers, around the ~10000nm wavelength.
Those are absorbed by almost anything, so much they even require optics to be made
of a rather special material.
 
david1235102

david1235102

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If you are talking about visible lasers, portable lasers, such as ones that really anyone can buy; then 405nm violet lasers will burn the best for the power. But, 445nm blue lasers have some of the highest powers of visible lasers so they burn better out of power. If you took a 405nm and a 445nm of the same power, the 405 would burn better because of the shorter wavelength.
 
8

80063r

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This helps to answer my question too, but wouldn't the practical question be, "What laser wavelength burns best for the cost?" If a violet laser of equal power to a blue laser burn better but costs more, then would a blue laser costing the same as violet laser burn better or not?

My actual question relating to this topic is: What wavelength of laser radiation is most economical for generating heat?
 
Bluefan

Bluefan

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808nm diode bars, I just got a 20W diode bar for 32 euro.
 
Bluefan

Bluefan

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I got it on ebay, but a diode bars has a 1cm wide stripe of emitters, so it has nothing of the so called beam quailty unless you find and expensive fiber coupling. Those give a terrible beam quality, which is better than nothing. 808nm is used for pumping crystals, so beam quality isn't a huge concern.
 
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