Laser Power???

[HeadsUp]

So this is my first post, and probably first of many and here are my n00b questions...

The higher the wattage, the more the laser burns through things?
Example: A 2 Watt laser would burn through metal faster than a 1 Watt laser?

The laser gets less and less powerful with range?
Example: It would cut through metal faster at 5ft than at 20ft?

Does the color of the beam make it hotter or colder? and why does the color matter? personal preference?
Example: Green beam would burn hotter than a blue beam?

Thank you!

 

[jost4318]

first of all, a 2W laser can't cut through metal you need at least 4W to melt solder. however besides that power does matter for heating up and burning through materials and lasers get less powerful with distance because of beam divergence which is measured in milliradians example: with a laser where divergence is 1.2mRad the beam would grow 1.2mm wider for every meter it travels therefore the further away the target is, the less the power is concentrated. the wavelength(color) of the beam only matters when you are talking about what kind of material you are cutting if it is darkly colored everything will burn it the same however, lower wavelength lasers 405nm or less (purple or UV) will burn lighter colored materials easier than higher wavelengths.

 

[Isoleucine]

Well said there. Wattage is simply a MEASURE of power. The shorter the wavelength of light i.e 405nm will contain more energy than say... 808nm of light. Divergence also factors in, but can be negated if you focus well... but then again, not all lenses are perfect, right? Right.

 

[jimdt7]

jost4318

You are wrong ! I can melt solder with my 1.5W 445nm laser !

 

[Isoleucine]

Albeit it may take more time... and if you focus it to the diameter of the solder or less

 

[lasersbee]

Well said there. Wattage is simply a MEASURE of power. The shorter the wavelength of light i.e 405nm will contain more energy than say... 808nm of light. Divergence also factors in, but can be negated if you focus well... but then again, not all lenses are perfect, right? Right.

A watt of laser power is a watt of laser power no matter
what the wavelength..
What makes the burning difference is the material it is aimed at...


Jerry

 

[jost4318]

jost4318

You are wrong ! I can melt solder with my 1.5W 445nm laser !

sorry i heard you need 4W I dont own a laser that powerful so I wouldn't know it probably also depends on the kind of solder you're using and stuff like that

 

[regalis]

As all is said one more thing:
I would be careful with metal in general...it could reflect the beam into the diode and fry it...

Btw.: Welcome HeadsUp to LPF
And if you don't know already: Wear goggles while burning!