1. What is Peak Power?

Peak power in laser systems refers to the maximum instantaneous power output during a pulse. It's a critical parameter for applications requiring high-intensity light bursts, such as material processing, medical procedures, and scientific research.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the peak power formula:

Where:

• Pulse Energy — Total energy delivered in a single pulse (joules)
• Pulse Duration — Time duration of the pulse (seconds)

Explanation: The formula calculates the instantaneous power by dividing the total energy by the time over which it's delivered.

3. Importance of Peak Power Calculation

Details: Knowing peak power is essential for laser safety, system design, and ensuring proper energy delivery for specific applications like cutting, welding, or medical treatments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter pulse energy in joules and pulse duration in seconds. For nanosecond pulses, enter values like 0.000000001 (1 ns). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between average power and peak power?
A: Average power considers energy over time including intervals between pulses, while peak power measures only during the pulse.

Q2: How does pulse duration affect peak power?
A: Shorter pulses with the same energy have higher peak power. A 1 mJ pulse in 1 ns has 1 MW peak power, while the same energy in 1 ms has only 1 W peak power.

Q3: What are typical peak power values for different lasers?
A: CW lasers have constant power, Q-switched lasers can reach megawatts, and mode-locked lasers can reach gigawatts or more.

Q4: How is pulse duration measured?
A: Typically measured as full width at half maximum (FWHM) using fast photodetectors and oscilloscopes or autocorrelators.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for non-laser pulses?
A: Yes, the formula applies to any pulsed energy system, including electrical pulses or particle beams.