How Much Optical Power to Zap a Balloon or Bug?
The following are some findings from numerous carefully controlled and documented experiments. Translation: Fooling around when Steve had nothing better to do! Bug type and state of health (before tests) were not identified. My apologies to the SPCB (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Bugs). 🙂 (From Steve Roberts (osteven@akrobiz.com).) • Power to burst orange balloon with focused argon laser: 67 mW. This won’t even touch a blue or green balloon. • Power to start popping all balloons within 10 feet of the laser: about 220 mW. • Power to melt a small spot in the black thermoplastic of a 3.5″ diskette case: 115 mW from a 60X. But like all organics, it turns to carbon during cutting, the beam will be effectively blocked until you get into the 900 mW range. • Power to fry a bug is about 400 mW if Mr. bug is black and a cooperative target. You really gotta work at tracking the target to fry a bug as it can take minutes….
). Therefore, the fly should recover of if left alone and it is up to you and your conscience as to what is done with it after being temporarily blinded! Note to inventors: If considering filing a patent on this technology, make sure the claims are quite broad as I can see this becoming a holiday season craze like the Pet Rock(tm) or Lava Lamp(tm). 🙂 (From: alaserfool@aol.com).) I tried this the other day and it is true: Blast a fly in the eyes for a few seconds, and it will become so blind that you can actually touch it before it knows you are there. Think of the fun you can have with a pile of dog c**p on a hot summer day! (From: Brian Vanderkolk (skywise711@earthlink.net).) Just great… Now we’re gonna have the SPCB after us! 🙂 (From: Jose M. Gallego (jmgallego@home.com).) Yes, I just can see it: It will now become mandatory that all flies in the laser room be provided with safety goggles.
