Originally Posted by Robert Silvers;2166483[COLOR=#000000
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When I first saw that with my beam diameter and focal length the best spot size that I could get was 0.08mm, and I had an actual spot size of about 0.2mm, and I knew that I was only achieving 1/6 of the potential energy density - it seemed like I should upgrade the lens.
But then I read on, and this FAQ says that 0.2mm is an "excellent" spot size and 0.1mm is "amazingly good."
"[/COLOR]Therefore, if you get a CO2 laser and an ordinary (affordable) ZnSe lens, you should be happy to get a spot size diameter anywhere from 250 to 500 micron = 0.25 to 0.5 mm diameter. From your spot diameter you can calculate the spot area and from there you can calculate your beam intensity at any power setting."
It says I should be happy, but I need to find out what I can expect for a spot size reduction with a ZeSe meniscus lens.