Laser pulse calculation - a quick bit of help appreciated

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating pulse power for a Nd:YAG laser. For the free-running operation, the average power is 5W, leading to a pulse power of 100W based on the provided formula. When the laser is Q-switched, the average power drops to 4W, and the peak power is calculated to be 2MW. The user initially struggled with the calculations but clarified their approach for the first part. They expressed uncertainty about completing the second part without additional information.
T7
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Hi,

a. A free-running, flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser produced pulses having a duration of 500 microseconds at a repetition frequency of l00Hz. Deduce the pulse power in this type of operation if the average power of the laser is 5W. (100W)​

b. This laser is then Q-switched and the average power is reduced to 4W. Deduce the peak power of the Q-switched power (2MW)​

I'm sure this is simple, but I don't seem to be getting the answer I'm supposed to. Anyone care to show how it ought to be done? :smile:

Cheers.

T7
 
Last edited:
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Can you show us how far you have come in your calculations?
 
Mattara said:
Can you show us how far you have come in your calculations?

Yup. I think I've just realized what I was doing wrong as far as part a is concerned.

Let Pa denote average power
Let Pp denote power of one pulse
Let Ep denote energy of one pulse
Let t denote time of one pulse

If Pa = 5W, and f = 100Hz, then

Ep x 100 = 5 => Ep = 0.05
Pp = Ep / t = 0.05 / (500 x 10^-6) = 100W

I think that's right. (Hope so).
 
Last edited:
Mattara said:
Can you show us how far you have come in your calculations?

I would apply a similar sort of working to the second part. I don't see how it can be done without more information.
 

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