4 ms·

The reflection of the laser!

• samstave 5y ago
  But would the laser directly photonically bombarding the sensor be more, or the same, level of photonic damage to the sensor? How much attenuation/atrophy does a mirror induce to a laser? (assuming a good quality mirror and not a potato. (I am surprised "photonic" is not a word)
  • nomel 5y ago
    Light power measurement is proportional to photon count, for monochromatic source. More photons is more power. Anything that reduces the number of photons hitting a target reduces the power that target sees. The typical bathroom mirror is around > 80% reflective, but this damage is from the reflection off of the skin of the patient, not a mirror. Skin is much less reflective than a mirror, and it's still enough to damage the sensor. So, that should give a sense of the kinds of powers involved.