One of the highest power lasers in the world sits on a table

One of the highest power lasers in the world sits on a table in the General Research Lab Building at Colorado School of Mines. It emits pulses that last approximately 24.0 fs (10-15 seconds), and contain 100.0 mJ of energy.

What is the average rate at which energy is delivered by a single pulse? \"Rate\" refers to power in this case.

What is the physical length of this pulse?

When the beam exits the laser, it is approximately 30 mm in diameter. Molecules begin to ionize when applied electric fields reach approximately 8.68E+9 V/m. To what diameter must the beam be focused to reach this electric field strength?

Solution

I = 1/2*c*apsalan*E0^2

P/4piR^2 = 1/2*c*apsalan*E0^2

P/pi*(2R)^2 = 1/2*c*apsalan*E0^2

P/piD^2 = 1/2*c*apsalan*E0^2

D= sqrt ( P/(pi*1/2*3*10^8*8.85*10^-12*8.68*10^9)^2)