First of all I would like to say this is not homework mmkay.

In my experiment I will be making tollens mirrors using various variables in order to find out what the minimum of each is needed to produce a "full" mirrored covering.

To test the mirroredicity of the mirrors I will , first weighing them, then measuring the reflectivity of them by placing them in a dark box and shining a light source at them and measure the beam reflected back using a photovoltaic cell.

Now for the light source part, I have been reading that laser diodes often have a power rating of between x and y so would this make it unsuitable for trying to get accurate readings? However this would produce a narrow beam of light ideal for the purpose of the experiment.

The other option is to use a bright led and focus the beam into a collumn by using lenses.