touching beam with out getting hurt

[jim1174]

What is the highest power laser I could buy where I can touch the beam with out getting hurt?

 

[Vision]

Well, I'd say that depends how its focused and at what distance. Usually <50mw maybe.

Then again, all depends on how its focused and distance from your hand.

 

[Pi R Squared]

What is the highest power laser I could buy where I can touch the beam with out getting hurt?

Well, I'd say that depends how its focused and at what distance. Usually <50mw maybe.

Then again, all depends on how its focused and distance from your hand.

I agree with Ultron on this, it depends on the power density (beam diameter, area of the dot on your hand). If you want to just pass your hand through the beam I would say more like <100mW. I can touch the beam of my 82mW 520nm, but I wouldn't hold my hand still in it in one place. I am a little paranoid about touching a laser beam as I was once burned by a 1.5W that slipped out of my hand. Also I would be more careful with a 405nm or a 532nm due to higher power density (smaller dot) 100mW maybe too much even for a second, I am unable to test this, but no way I stick my hand in anything over 100mW, remember at that power you can pop a balloon, light a match, burn black plastic, so it can burn you.

Alan

 

[diachi]

I agree with Ultron on this, it depends on the power density (beam diameter, area of the dot on your hand). If you want to just pass your hand through the beam I would say more like <100mW. I can touch the beam of my 82mW 520nm, but I wouldn't hold my hand still in it in one place. I am a little paranoid about touching a laser beam as I was once burned by a 1.5W that slipped out of my hand. Also I would be more careful with a 405nm or a 532nm due to higher power density (smaller dot) 100mW maybe too much even for a second, I am unable to test this, but no way I stick my hand in anything over 100mW, remember at that power you can pop a balloon, light a match, burn black plastic, so it can burn you.

Alan

Need to take into account what wavelengths skin absorbs too - I've hand my hand in the beam of a 1W 808nm handheld and didn't feel a thing. Red is similar in that regard because it too isn't absorbed well by the skin.

 

[Razako]

Least painful to touch: Red. I can put my hand right into the beam of a 1 watt 638nm and not feel a thing. The energy is dispersed throughout your flesh rather than soaking into one spot.

Most painful: 405nm. Even an unfocused 400mw 405nm will start to sting after a second or two.

 

[InfinitusEquitas]

Just want to make something very very clear.

Safe to touch, meaning pass hand through beam let's say. Or to keep it there, that question has been answered. It varies based on wavelength, output, and beam characteristics.

Eye safe is 5mW. And that's assuming you blink your eyes closed on exposure. If you stare into even a 5mW laser, you may well end up with eye damage.

 

[DashApple]

Its all to do with power density , ( Don't try it ) But I have had my hand in an expanded 60W Co2 laser beam ; Felt like my hand was in the sunshine .