Beam divergence

[zamane]

One of the laser diodes I have is said to have a beam divergence of 12/40 degrees. What does this mean and how much is this when translated into mrads ?

 

[ElektroFreak]

These numbers are describing the divergence of a laser diode's raw output with no collimation at all. IIRC 17 mRad = 1 degree, so we're talking about a lot of mRad divergence.

Laser diodes emit an elliptical beam that diverges faster on one axis than the other (hence the 12 by 40 degrees). This means that the output diverges at an angle of 12 degrees on the slow axis, and 40 degrees on the fast axis.

 

[steve001]

One of the laser diodes I have is said to have a beam divergence of 12/40 degrees. What does this mean and how much is this when translated into mrads ?

209.4395102393 X 698.1317007977 mrads

 

[zamane]

[quote author=zamane link=1239629434/0#0 date=1239629434]One of the laser diodes I have is said to have a beam divergence of 12/40 degrees. What does this mean and how much is this when translated into mrads ?

209.4395102393 X  698.1317007977 mrads[/quote]

Wow! Thanks for the accuracy !

Shame on me because I somehow didnt guess that this was the divergence BEFORE collimation. Now it makes sense.

 

[steve001]

[quote author=steve001 link=1239629434/0#2 date=1239650531][quote author=zamane link=1239629434/0#0 date=1239629434]One of the laser diodes I have is said to have a beam divergence of 12/40 degrees. What does this mean and how much is this when translated into mrads ?

209.4395102393 X  698.1317007977 mrads[/quote]

Wow! Thanks for the accuracy !

Shame on me because I somehow didnt guess that this was the divergence BEFORE collimation. Now it makes sense.[/quote]

Really no need to thank me. You can thank this person(s) though http://www.unitsconverter.net/
Just Google that's how I found this unit converter

 

[KanYarK]

Yea, just what steve said

 

[benmcntsh]

Or, let Google do the work:

"12 degrees in radians"

I sometimes use Google instead of my desktop calculator. haha.