The apparent power of a laser color, as perceived by the human eye, varies significantly. While power output is measured in milliwatts (mW), our eyes are not equally sensitive to all wavelengths of light. According to the reference material, green lasers are perceived as the brightest at the same power level compared to other colors. Here is a breakdown:
How Laser Color Affects Perceived Brightness
The reference states that a 200mW green laser will appear:
- 5 times brighter than a 200mW red or blue laser.
- 7 times brighter than a 200mW purple laser.
| Laser Color | Perceived Brightness (Relative) |
|---|---|
| Green | Highest |
| Red/Blue | Lower (1/5th of Green) |
| Purple | Lowest (1/7th of Green) |
Understanding Laser Power vs. Perceived Brightness
It's crucial to distinguish between power output and perceived brightness:
- Power Output (mW): This is the actual energy emitted by the laser. A 200mW laser, regardless of color, is emitting the same energy.
- Perceived Brightness: This is how bright the light appears to the human eye, which is most sensitive to green light.
Burning Ability of Lasers
The ability of a laser to burn or cut materials is solely dependent on the mW output power and not the color. A 200mW laser of any color will have similar burning capability. The color only impacts how bright the light appears.
Practical Insights
- If you need a laser to be highly visible, choose green.
- For cutting or engraving tasks, the power output (mW) is the critical factor, not color.
In conclusion, while green lasers appear to be the most powerful to the human eye due to the way our visual system perceives light at 532nm, the actual power of a laser for burning or cutting purposes depends solely on its mW output.
