1. What is Laser Divergence?

Laser divergence refers to the angular spread of a laser beam as it propagates through space. It is a fundamental property that determines how quickly the beam expands and how well it can be focused over distance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the laser divergence formula:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Beam divergence (radians)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength of the laser (meters)
• \( w_0 \) — Beam waist radius (meters)
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant pi (approximately 3.14159)

Explanation: The divergence is inversely proportional to the beam waist - smaller waist results in greater divergence, and directly proportional to the wavelength.

3. Importance of Divergence Calculation

Details: Calculating laser divergence is crucial for applications requiring precise beam control, such as laser cutting, optical communications, medical lasers, and scientific research where beam quality and focus are critical.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wavelength in meters (e.g., 632.8e-9 for HeNe laser), beam waist radius in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is velocity not applicable in this calculation?
A: Laser divergence is a geometric property determined by wavelength and beam waist, not affected by the velocity of the laser source or medium.

Q2: What are typical divergence values for common lasers?
A: Typical values range from 0.1-10 mrad for most commercial lasers, with high-quality lasers having lower divergence.

Q3: How does wavelength affect divergence?
A: Longer wavelengths generally result in greater divergence for the same beam waist size.

Q4: Can this formula be used for all laser types?
A: This formula applies to Gaussian beams. Other beam profiles may require different calculations.

Q5: How is divergence related to beam quality?
A: Lower divergence typically indicates better beam quality and ability to maintain focus over longer distances.