Difference between wavelenghts?

[zamane]

Now that it is established that the most practical usage for IR laser is to BURN STUFF ,

which one of these is better at burning stuff :

A 1342 nm infrared laser or a 532 nm green laser (both at 200mW) ?

In other words, is it choice of wavelength or power (mW) that burns the stuff ?

 

[ElektroFreak]

Both power and wavelength factor into this. The color of the surface you're trying to burn also plays a big part.. If you want to be sure that your laser will burn anything regardless of color, you'd need massive power.. over 5W I'd guess.. The reason IR lasers are preferred for this type of application are that they are the cheapest solution for providing these levels of power output. Very high-powered visible lasers cost considerably more than their IR equivalent, mostly due to the fact that very high-powered IR lasers were developed first. The older technology is usually cheaper.

 

[FrothyChimp]

5W 808nm ~$2,000.00 Diode, very available due to use a laser pump

5W 532nm ~$15,000.00 DPSS, very rare not used much at these power except for very specialized uses.