mW/cm²
milliwatt per square centimeter
Intensityexact by definition
The milliwatt per square centimetre equals exactly 10 watts per square metre, since a square centimetre is exactly 1e-4 square metres. It is the customary unit in laser safety classification, UV curing, phototherapy dosimetry and radiofrequency exposure standards. The factor of 10 is exact, following from the exact definition of the centimetre.
Watch out: The factor between milliwatts per square centimetre and watts per square metre is 10, not 1 or 100, because the milli prefix and the centimetre-squared area partly cancel. Getting it backwards misstates an exposure by a factor of 100.
| 1 mW/cm² | 10 W/m² |
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