Laser Selector
Result summary
| Item | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|
Formula
Limits and assumptions
Engineering estimate based on the formula above. Verify selected parts against the current datasheet and system tolerances before production.
Laser Fundamentals
Pulse Peak Power
Instantaneous peak power from pulse energy and pulse width.
P_peak = E / τ
Fill the inputs from a real part
Every number is read from that part's datasheet entry and converted into the unit the field asks for.
Solve for
Inputs
Result
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The link reopens the same solve target and input values. No account is required.
Export the result
The report includes inputs, units, result, formula, limits and matching parts.
PDF opens the print dialog; choose Save as PDF.
Live diagram
Drawn from the values above, redrawn as you type - the same physical schematic the mini-program shows.
Sensitivity
Calculation guide
How pulse peak power is calculated
Peak power is the highest optical power during a pulse. This calculator converts pulse energy and an equivalent pulse duration, then lets you solve for any one of the three quantities.
Formula and unit conversion
Equivalent rectangular pulse
P_peak = E / τ_eff
Use an equivalent rectangular duration. Fill E in mJ and τ_eff in ns, then P_peak is returned in W.
Direct unit form
P_peak[W] = E[mJ] / τ_eff[ns] × 10^6
The 10^6 factor combines the mJ-to-J and ns-to-s conversions.
Gaussian pulse from FWHM
P_peak ≈ 0.939 × E / τ_FWHM
For an optical-power envelope with a Gaussian shape. A sech² pulse uses approximately 0.881 instead.
Units used on this page
| Variables and units | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse energy E | mJ | 1 mJ = 10^-3 J; 10 µJ = 0.01 mJ. |
| Pulse width τ | ns | 1 ns = 10^-9 s. Enter the energy-equivalent rectangular width, not an arbitrary visible width. |
| Peak power P | W | 1 W = 1 J/s. This is optical peak power, not pulsed electrical current. |
Worked examples
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Energy to peak power
E = 10 µJ, τ_eff = 100 ns → P_peak = 0.01 / 100 × 10^6 = 100 WThese are the nominal values of PLD905-100W-M at 100 ns.
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Peak power to pulse energy
P_peak = 100 W, τ_eff = 100 ns → E = 100 × 100 × 10^-6 = 0.01 mJThe round trip returns 10 µJ.
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Gaussian FWHM correction
E = 10 µJ, τ_FWHM = 100 ns → P_peak ≈ 0.939 × 100 = 93.9 WUse the waveform correction when the datasheet specifies a Gaussian FWHM instead of an equivalent rectangular width.
Engineering limits
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Pulse definition
The base formula assumes a rectangular pulse. FWHM is not the same as the energy-equivalent duration; convert it first or apply the shape factor shown above.
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Ratings are coupled
Peak power cannot be raised by shortening a pulse without considering current, duty cycle, junction heating and the diode's safe operating area. The PLD905 standard family quotes 1–100 ns pulses and 0.1% maximum duty cycle; confirm the exact model and bin.
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Duty-cycle check
Duty = τ × f_rep. At 100 ns, a 0.1% limit caps repetition rate at 10 kHz. Average power is P_avg = E × f_rep; verify it separately against the thermal budget.
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Energy is operating-point dependent
Datasheet pulse energy is usually stated at a defined current, width and temperature. Do not assume that peak power or energy scales linearly outside that point.
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Optical measurement
Driver rise time, ringing, overshoot, optical losses and detector bandwidth all change the measured result. Use a calibrated optical waveform and integrate energy over the full pulse.
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Laser safety
Peak power, average power, wavelength and pulse duration all enter the laser-safety assessment. Keep the system inside its declared laser class and applicable standards.
Related pulsed laser products
Representative catalogue routes for comparing rated peak power, pulse energy and pulse duration. The live recommendation list above is filtered by the values currently entered.
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PLD905-40W-M
905 nm · 40 W · 1–100 ns
Compact TO56 starting point for short-range ranging and LiDAR.
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PLD905-100W-M
905 nm · 100 W · 10 µJ @ 100 ns
Matches the default worked example and is useful for a direct calculation check.
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PLD905-180W-M
905 nm · 180 W · 18 µJ @ 100 ns
Six-emitter part for longer-range ranging and time-of-flight systems.
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PLD905-300W-M
905 nm · 300 W · 30 µJ @ 100 ns
Higher-power nine-emitter option; check thermal design and driver current.
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LZ1535-1KHz-5ns-40uJ-25mm
1535 nm · 40 µJ @ 5 ns · 1 kHz
Cross-check: the same equivalent rectangular calculation gives about 8 kW for 40 µJ in 5 ns.
