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Nik · 8th July 2008, 09:40 PM

Um, IIRC, lasers may be more difficult to see under some conditions because refracted light from mist will only come back at one set of angles, instead of white light's rainbows...

Also, a laser generally has a very narrow beam, so will illuminate a much smaller cross-section and far fewer particles.

Astronomers can use lasers to make 'artificial stars' to track and correct for atmospheric disturbances. They really, really do not want scatter beyond that very narrow beam...

Um, pulsed laser power is fine, but what's the record for sustained beams ?? Not trying to diminish those mega-pulse whatsits, I'm reminded of cheap hifis that claim '32 Watts' PMPO, but only, um, 2 Watts RMS...

8th July 2008, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nik Speaker to Cats Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK: ENGLAND: Posts: 1,482	Re: Most Powerful Laser Ever Um, IIRC, lasers may be more difficult to see under some conditions because refracted light from mist will only come back at one set of angles, instead of white light's rainbows... Also, a laser generally has a very narrow beam, so will illuminate a much smaller cross-section and far fewer particles. Astronomers can use lasers to make 'artificial stars' to track and correct for atmospheric disturbances. They really, really do not want scatter beyond that very narrow beam... Um, pulsed laser power is fine, but what's the record for sustained beams ?? Not trying to diminish those mega-pulse whatsits, I'm reminded of cheap hifis that claim '32 Watts' PMPO, but only, um, 2 Watts RMS...