PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - L@ser & searchlight attacks on aircraft (incl prison sentences on offenders)
Old 19th Dec 2008, 08:18
  #97 (permalink)  
Pandalet
 
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There isn't much difference between a 'display' laser and a pointer, in that they both produce a beam of light. The technologies used may be different (pointers usually use a solid-state diode), and the output of a laser designed for display is generally quite a lot higher. Consequently, display lasers tend to be much bulkier (the last one I worked with weighed about 60kg), and require very large, heavy power supplies.

In simpler terms, you can light a cigarette by holding it at the output of a display laser; I'm yet to see a hand-held pointer that can do that!
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