Heat from the smaller CO 2 laser is focused on a block of wood. Even with a power source of 20-25 Watts, intense fires were started in the wood. Shown here is the first laser's bigger brother, also a CO 2 laser. The first laser's output peak was around 40 watts, while this laser's peak was around 1600 watts. The purple coloring in the tubes is the gas mixture being pumped into the laser.
Flames erupt from a block of wood submitted to the intense heat of the larger laser.
Heat waves sent off from the reaction could be felt several feet away.