Enter Laser Data
Provide the operating values below. The tool converts units automatically and returns derived pulsed-laser metrics.
Formula Used
Epulse = Pavg / f
Ppeak = Epulse / τ
A = π × (d / 2)2
F = Epulse / A
Ipeak = Ppeak / A
N = Epulse / (h × c / λ)
These equations assume identical pulses, circular beam area, and no extra optical losses. If losses exist, reduce the effective average power before calculation.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the laser average power and choose its unit.
- Enter the pulse repetition rate using Hz, kHz, MHz, or GHz.
- Provide the pulse width with the correct time unit.
- Enter beam diameter so the tool can estimate area, fluence, and intensity.
- Enter wavelength to estimate photons delivered in each pulse.
- Click the calculate button to show results above the form.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to export the calculated summary.
- Review the Plotly chart to see how pulse energy changes with repetition rate.
Example Data Table
| Average Power | Repetition Rate | Pulse Width | Beam Diameter | Pulse Energy | Peak Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 W | 100 kHz | 20 ns | 0.50 mm | 50 µJ | 2.5 kW |
| 2 W | 1 MHz | 10 ps | 0.20 mm | 2 µJ | 200 kW |
| 20 W | 10 kHz | 100 ns | 1.00 mm | 2 mJ | 20 kW |
| 0.8 W | 80 MHz | 100 fs | 0.05 mm | 10 nJ | 100 kW |
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is laser pulse energy?
Laser pulse energy is the energy delivered in one pulse. It is usually found by dividing average power by repetition rate. Higher pulse energy often improves single-shot material interaction, provided the beam and pulse duration also match the application.
2) How is pulse energy different from average power?
Average power describes energy delivered over time. Pulse energy describes energy in one pulse only. Two lasers can share the same average power yet have very different pulse energies if their repetition rates differ significantly.
3) Why does repetition rate affect pulse energy?
At fixed average power, more pulses per second mean the total energy is divided across more events. That reduces energy per pulse. Fewer pulses per second generally increase pulse energy, assuming the average power stays unchanged.
4) What does peak power tell me?
Peak power estimates how concentrated the pulse is in time. Shorter pulses at the same energy create higher peak power. This matters in ablation, nonlinear optics, breakdown thresholds, and many ultrafast laser processes.
5) Why is beam diameter included?
Beam diameter lets the calculator estimate beam area. Area is required for fluence and intensity. A smaller beam spot raises energy density and peak intensity, which can strongly change cutting, marking, heating, or optical damage behavior.
6) Can I use this for femtosecond or picosecond lasers?
Yes. The calculator accepts femtosecond and picosecond pulse widths. For very short pulses, confirm that your entered pulse width, beam diameter, and average power reflect actual measured values because small input errors can strongly affect peak-power estimates.
7) Does wavelength change pulse energy?
Pulse energy itself depends on average power and repetition rate, not wavelength. Wavelength is included here to estimate photon energy and photons per pulse. Different wavelengths still matter for absorption, focusing, and material response.
8) Which units should I choose?
Choose the units that match your laser datasheet or measurement setup. The calculator converts them internally. For bench lasers, W, kHz or MHz, ns or ps, mm, and nm are common choices that reduce entry mistakes.