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watertreader
May8-09, 01:14 AM
Is there a difference between power and intensity?

From some of the literature read(from laser specification), the impression given to me is that power is defined rather as determined over a particular beam spot size(area quantity) while intensity is defined as a quantity that is varied with time?

Is that true?

Doc Al
May8-09, 04:57 AM
Typically: Power is energy per time; Intensity is power per area.

Mr_Chen
May8-09, 05:07 AM
Intensity is power per area ???

jtbell
May8-09, 05:14 AM
Yes: watts per square meter, or joules per second per square meter, measured on a surface oriented perpendicular to the direction of energy flow. Example: the typical intensity of sunlight is 1400 W/m^2.