There is no maximum theoretical distance; a laser generates light, and light can go on essentially forever. If you are asking what the maximum distance is at which you could SEE the laser, then that would depend on the power output of the laser. It's not yet technically possible to build a laser that could be seen from another planet, but that day probably isn't too far off.
It depends on the size and weight of the individual laser. Those little laser pointers that are used to put a red dot on the screen during a presentation can be carried around on a key-ring, and can go wherever the owner of the keys goes, whereas the multi-megawatt lasers used for astronomical probes are permanent fixtures in observatories, and can't travel at all once they're installed. If you're asking about the beam of light emitted by a laser, that's a different question. That keeps going until it runs into something that it can't penetrate. The real question is: How far away from the laser can its light go and still be detected ? That depends on the laser's power. One impressive example is the way that a laser is routinely used to measure the distance to the moon. A laser pulse is transmitted toward the moon through an astronomical telescope, reflected from a small reflector that the Apollo astronauts left on the moon's surface, and detected back at the observatory on earth, after a round-trip of almost a half-million miles.
Technically speaking light never stops travelling. It's also invisible until it is reflected off a medium into your retina. The laser light you see is the light reflecting off dust particles, so more particles the brighter the beam appears but the less distance the light travels as it expands and is attenuated.
It's visibility and brightness is constant but reduced by the medium through which it travels. So firing a laser upward starts a beam of photons which continues travelling until they hit something.
That's the technical answer. In reality, if you fire a 100mW laser light it will be easily visible for 20 miles or so by the person who looks along the beam, but less so by persons at a tangent to the beam. Whether it produces a spot at the other end depends how dirty your air pollution is.
The range of a LASER depends mostly on the quality of the collimation of the beam, not its power or color. Without more information than the question provides I would not want to attempt to give a numeric value.
There is no specific limit; until it runs into something solid, or a thick gas cloud that absorbs it. But reflected light, like moonlight or the light of Jupiter, can never be anywhere as intense as direct light, like the light of the Sun. And because of that, it dissipates into near-invisibility relatively nearby.
For example, we can see the the direct light of bright stars thousands of light years away, and galaxies a million times farther - but we cannot see the reflected light of asteroids or cometary bodies in the Oort cloud less than a half-light year away.
Light (elctromagnetic radiation) travels a indeterminate distance (read infinite - limited by the size of the universe) unless it is absorbed by matter.
It will go on in a straight line (which is realy a curve) forever unles the light is interfered with in some way in the mean time until it gets back to its stating point.
100mw
The distance a laser beam can travel depends on various factors such as the power of the laser, atmospheric conditions, and obstacles in its path. In ideal conditions, a laser beam can travel long distances, even reaching into space without spreading too much. However, in practical scenarios, factors like scattering, absorption, and dispersion can limit the distance it can travel effectively.
LASER is Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. As far as I have understood, Solid State laser is a macroscopic form of diode laser. Thus a small semiconductor diode is similar to a solid state laser except for the mechanism of lasing and size.
under 5 miles
A car accelerates from to at a rate of How far does it travel while accelerating
Some can travel over 25 miles.
100mw
Using lents or using electronic componets or both
The distance a laser beam can travel depends on various factors such as the power of the laser, atmospheric conditions, and obstacles in its path. In ideal conditions, a laser beam can travel long distances, even reaching into space without spreading too much. However, in practical scenarios, factors like scattering, absorption, and dispersion can limit the distance it can travel effectively.
yes, black ones only i think
legal just like smoking marijuana :)
There are several places where one can view a video review of a green laser that is 100 mW. Most of these places are video uploading sites; the most popular place to find video reviews of this nature is YouTube.
Just thought I'd bump this question. An answer would be much appreciated for different strength laser pointers. For Example: 1-5MW >5 - 30MW >30 - 50MW >50 - 100MW >100 - 300MW etc. etc.
There are a lot of shops selling lasers on the market. LaserBTB is a very well known shop. Best thing to do is to do some research on forums and pick a shop of your choice.
You need a green laser for that & one mw is not enough. I advise atleast a 100mw and sometimes even that is not enough. 80% of the pigeons are gone with even a short bust of green laser light but up to 20% plays difficult.
Lasers differ in price between manufactures and quality. i have found a 100 mw laser for $16.00. But as a buyer you have to be careful, ordering any laser over 5mw to the U.S is illegal. I do not know how strictly it is enforced. Correction to your reply: Lasers over 5mw are illegal to IMPORT to the USA. 100% legal to purchase in the US
You can buy cheap laser pointers online. Here is the reason: There are thousands and thousands of people searching the web for brighter, more powerful, and cheaper lasers of all colors every single day. The internet can pretty much take all of the credit for allowing this global industry to grow so rapidly. When you can connect laser manufacturers from China and Japan to distributors in the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia; you can expect loads of people to get their hands on powerful laser pointers. Then you can see more choice for you on the internet! http://www.dinodirect.com/Electronics