Laser beam intensity

  • #1
CMATT
32
1
Thread moved from the technical forums -- poster has been reminded of the PF rules
What is the intensity in W/m² of a laser beam used to burn away cancerous tissue that, when 94.0% absorbed, puts 539 J of energy into a circular spot 2.11 mm in diameter in 4.00 s??

I've tried a couple different equations and I keep getting the answer wrong. This is due tonight, I'm super stuck. Any input is greatly appreciated
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
Ken G
Gold Member
4,648
394
First imagine the beam is 100% absorbed, find that answer, and multiply that answer by 1/.94 to get the answer for 94% absorbed. To get the 100% absorbed answer, just take that energy, per that area, per that time. You will have to convert mm to m though, and you will need to know the area of a circle.
 
  • #3
CMATT
32
1
First imagine the beam is 100% absorbed, find that answer, and multiply that answer by 1/.94 to get the answer for 94% absorbed. To get the 100% absorbed answer, just take that energy, per that area, per that time. You will have to convert mm to m though, and you will need to know the area of a circle.

Thank you for your help Ken G! I will try this out right now
 
  • #4
CMATT
32
1
First imagine the beam is 100% absorbed, find that answer, and multiply that answer by 1/.94 to get the answer for 94% absorbed. To get the 100% absorbed answer, just take that energy, per that area, per that time. You will have to convert mm to m though, and you will need to know the area of a circle.

Yay I got the correct answer, thank you! Would you happen to know how this one below is solved? I did my answer - 1360 W/m^2, and got a number, but I'm not sure if that's correct:

How many times more intense is this than the maximum intensity of direct sunlight (about 1360 W/m²)?
 
  • #5
Ken G
Gold Member
4,648
394
A quick estimate says its about 10,000 times more for the laser. Is that about what you got?
 

Suggested for: Laser beam intensity

Replies
13
Views
471
Replies
1
Views
405
Replies
10
Views
559
  • Last Post
Replies
22
Views
714
Replies
32
Views
385
Replies
6
Views
372
  • Last Post
Replies
4
Views
306
Replies
10
Views
810
  • Last Post
Replies
4
Views
492
Top