Danish researchers unveil a high-power green laser diode to rival solid-state technologies.
A green laser-diode design that emits 1.5 W output power could replace its solid-state counterparts, say researchers at the Technical University of Denmark in the city of Lyngby. The team says that its simple laser design generates "the highest output power of green light using a frequency-doubled approach" (Optics Express 17 6532).
"Our laser system is potentially cheap, robust and efficient compared with existing technology," Ole Jensen, a researcher at the Technical University of Denmark, told optics.org. "Our laser may replace solid-state lasers for applications ranging from biomedicine to displays."
The green laser-diode is a particular challenge as no semiconductor material exists that can be used to directly produce green laser light. Until now, generating high-power green light has only been possible by using frequency-doubled solid-state lasers or external-cavity frequency doubling of complicated master-oscillator power-amplifier systems.
http://optics.org/cws/article/research/39006
2009-05-05
Laser Pointer Spy Tool
A combination of traditional tools and the technologically advanced laser, this Spy Tool is ten devices in one. A water level, flashlight, tool bits including a screwdriver, and laser beam provide versatility and capability to complete repairs or locate a target in any situation.
A constant on ring can be adjusted for a fine or broad beam focus. A pen clip and keychain attachment convert the laser for travel. Rugged and built to last, the laser is corrosion resistant.
Requires 2 AAA batteries, included.
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3085023&cmc=CROSS_SELL&Laser+Pointer+Spy+Tool&bhcd2=1241575752
A constant on ring can be adjusted for a fine or broad beam focus. A pen clip and keychain attachment convert the laser for travel. Rugged and built to last, the laser is corrosion resistant.
Requires 2 AAA batteries, included.
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3085023&cmc=CROSS_SELL&Laser+Pointer+Spy+Tool&bhcd2=1241575752
2009-04-26
All About Laser Pointers And Their Use
A laser will go through the lense of the eye without having any effect, and the lense is what determines vision loss, so laser pointers are not likely to affect your vision. It takes a powerful laser, much more powerful than a pointer, to affect tissue so I don’t think your immature friends have done you any harm.
It looks like current green and probably blue, laser diodes are made primarily by frequency doubling. Frequency doubling means that an infrared beam is pointed through a crystal which causes the frequency to double. If the IR beam is 1064 nm, the output beam will be 532 nm green or blue. The extra crystal is the cause of the extra price.
I don’t know why normal green led technology isn’t used for green pointers. Perhaps no one has perfected it in a small package yet. Anyway, laser diodes are made of materials that have an intrinsic “energy bandgap,” which determines the wavelength of light emitted from the laser. Some materials may have a broader bandgap, but not enough to tune the laser over multiple colors.
Those laser pointers used in business presentations and school lectures–is there any danger to the eyes if they are pointed directly? And does the answer change depending upon whether one is talking about humans or dogs or cats, for example? No, those lasers are not dangerous to people or any large animals. Their power is firly low, and the beam is not very precise. The beam shape is a primary factor which makes similar-powered scientific lasers more dangerous. Well-shaped beams can focus to a much smaller spot than irregular beams.
All the same, you will see stars if you look at the beam directly. The brightness level is not too different from looking directly at the sun ,which is dangerous for other reasons, mainly unseen UV and IR light. There is a device called an optical parametric oscillator that can increase the wavelength, i.e. reduce the frequency of a laser. If you want to increase the frequency, i.e. reduce the wavelength of a laser, this can be achieved by using the laser to pump another laser, a dye laser for instance.
Would this device work with a laser pointer? I would like to add something to the end of it rather than mess around with the internal parts. You would use the laser pointer as a pump for the laser you would have to construct outside the laser pointer. No need to take the laser pointer apart, but you would need to build some sophisticated optics for this. Actually the green laser pointers that are commercially available use a red laser to pump another laser, this time green. So they are actually two lasers in one device.
I’ve been wanting to buy a blue laser pointer but found that the only ones with the technology to create them and who hold the patent are a select few so any such laser pointer would cost someone about $1,000. Green laser pointers cost about $100, and the common red ones cost maybe $20 at most. Why the extreme difference in price? What are these diodes and why are they so difficult to make?
You will have to wait a little while to buy a cheap blue laser pointer. The reason is quite simple. Red laser diodes were invented 15 years ago. Green laser diodes were invented 5 years ago, and blue laser diodes were invented last year. Similar to DVD writers, flat-screen TVs, and other new products, the price drops dramatically as time passes. Mainly, this is because one company owns a patent at first and can chjaarge whatever they want. When the patent expires, or alternate technology is invented, the price comes down.
There is nothing particularly difficult about making the diodes. Figuring out how to make them, which semiconductor materials, deposition, heat-sinking, is the hard part. But like I said some of the laser pointers can cause a little harm to your eyes, so if you want to get one or make one, make sure that you don’t point it at anyones eyes. Even though you have friends that point there lasers in your eyes thinking that it is funny, which it isn’t, to wrongs don’t make a right. Just show them how more muture you are.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.PCSupplies.info/. PCSupplies.info carries the best selection of computer accessories and PC supplies on the market. Start shopping by category here: http://www.PCSupplies.info/menu/category.html.
It looks like current green and probably blue, laser diodes are made primarily by frequency doubling. Frequency doubling means that an infrared beam is pointed through a crystal which causes the frequency to double. If the IR beam is 1064 nm, the output beam will be 532 nm green or blue. The extra crystal is the cause of the extra price.
I don’t know why normal green led technology isn’t used for green pointers. Perhaps no one has perfected it in a small package yet. Anyway, laser diodes are made of materials that have an intrinsic “energy bandgap,” which determines the wavelength of light emitted from the laser. Some materials may have a broader bandgap, but not enough to tune the laser over multiple colors.
Those laser pointers used in business presentations and school lectures–is there any danger to the eyes if they are pointed directly? And does the answer change depending upon whether one is talking about humans or dogs or cats, for example? No, those lasers are not dangerous to people or any large animals. Their power is firly low, and the beam is not very precise. The beam shape is a primary factor which makes similar-powered scientific lasers more dangerous. Well-shaped beams can focus to a much smaller spot than irregular beams.
All the same, you will see stars if you look at the beam directly. The brightness level is not too different from looking directly at the sun ,which is dangerous for other reasons, mainly unseen UV and IR light. There is a device called an optical parametric oscillator that can increase the wavelength, i.e. reduce the frequency of a laser. If you want to increase the frequency, i.e. reduce the wavelength of a laser, this can be achieved by using the laser to pump another laser, a dye laser for instance.
Would this device work with a laser pointer? I would like to add something to the end of it rather than mess around with the internal parts. You would use the laser pointer as a pump for the laser you would have to construct outside the laser pointer. No need to take the laser pointer apart, but you would need to build some sophisticated optics for this. Actually the green laser pointers that are commercially available use a red laser to pump another laser, this time green. So they are actually two lasers in one device.
I’ve been wanting to buy a blue laser pointer but found that the only ones with the technology to create them and who hold the patent are a select few so any such laser pointer would cost someone about $1,000. Green laser pointers cost about $100, and the common red ones cost maybe $20 at most. Why the extreme difference in price? What are these diodes and why are they so difficult to make?
You will have to wait a little while to buy a cheap blue laser pointer. The reason is quite simple. Red laser diodes were invented 15 years ago. Green laser diodes were invented 5 years ago, and blue laser diodes were invented last year. Similar to DVD writers, flat-screen TVs, and other new products, the price drops dramatically as time passes. Mainly, this is because one company owns a patent at first and can chjaarge whatever they want. When the patent expires, or alternate technology is invented, the price comes down.
There is nothing particularly difficult about making the diodes. Figuring out how to make them, which semiconductor materials, deposition, heat-sinking, is the hard part. But like I said some of the laser pointers can cause a little harm to your eyes, so if you want to get one or make one, make sure that you don’t point it at anyones eyes. Even though you have friends that point there lasers in your eyes thinking that it is funny, which it isn’t, to wrongs don’t make a right. Just show them how more muture you are.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.PCSupplies.info/. PCSupplies.info carries the best selection of computer accessories and PC supplies on the market. Start shopping by category here: http://www.PCSupplies.info/menu/category.html.
2009-04-06
Is Blu Ray Worth The Money?
Do you desire for the ultimate high definition experience? Do you want to bring your favorite movies to life with extremely crisp pictures and greater surround sound? Well, now you can, thanks to Blu-ray technology. Blu-ray technology was developed to record, rewrite and playback high definition video (HD).
Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name given to the next generation in optical disc formats. It was jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). While current optical disc technologies such as the DVD and standard CD rely on a red laser to read and write data, Blu-ray uses a blue-violet laser instead.
Blu-ray is currently being supported by 200 of the world’s leading electronics, personal computer, gaming, music and recording media companies. All Hollywood studios are supporting this format as the new HD format, and countless other smaller studios as well.
Many studios have already announced that they will be releasing feature films on the Blu-ray disc day-and-date with DVD, including a continuous array of catalog titles every month, as Blu-ray discs can fit a lot more data compared to CDs and DVDS, even though they are the same size. A single layer Blu-ray disc can store 25GB, while a dual layer stores up to 50GB.
An internet connection is not required to play Blu-ray movies, but it is required for value-added services, such as downloading new extras, watching recent movie trailers, web browsing and etc. It will also be required when authorizing managed copies of Blu-ray movies that can be transferred on the home network.
So why should you get a Blu-ray? The answer is simple, High Definition Television (HDTV). If you’ve seen high definition video on a HDTV before, then you will know how crisp and sharp the pictures are and how vivid the colors are. In fact, HD offers 5 times more detail compared to the standard definition (SD).
Blu-ray devices can vary in price from $120 to $500, but you can always buy them wholesale and save a large amount of cash. This would be the safest option if you want to purchase Blu-ray, since you will not be taking a big gamble with your hard earned cash.
http://www.kelseypub.com/blog/artsentertainment/2009-04-05/is-blu-ray-worth-the-money
http://www.beamq.com/10mw-blue-violet-laser-pointers-p-18.html
Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name given to the next generation in optical disc formats. It was jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). While current optical disc technologies such as the DVD and standard CD rely on a red laser to read and write data, Blu-ray uses a blue-violet laser instead.
Blu-ray is currently being supported by 200 of the world’s leading electronics, personal computer, gaming, music and recording media companies. All Hollywood studios are supporting this format as the new HD format, and countless other smaller studios as well.
Many studios have already announced that they will be releasing feature films on the Blu-ray disc day-and-date with DVD, including a continuous array of catalog titles every month, as Blu-ray discs can fit a lot more data compared to CDs and DVDS, even though they are the same size. A single layer Blu-ray disc can store 25GB, while a dual layer stores up to 50GB.
An internet connection is not required to play Blu-ray movies, but it is required for value-added services, such as downloading new extras, watching recent movie trailers, web browsing and etc. It will also be required when authorizing managed copies of Blu-ray movies that can be transferred on the home network.
So why should you get a Blu-ray? The answer is simple, High Definition Television (HDTV). If you’ve seen high definition video on a HDTV before, then you will know how crisp and sharp the pictures are and how vivid the colors are. In fact, HD offers 5 times more detail compared to the standard definition (SD).
Blu-ray devices can vary in price from $120 to $500, but you can always buy them wholesale and save a large amount of cash. This would be the safest option if you want to purchase Blu-ray, since you will not be taking a big gamble with your hard earned cash.
http://www.kelseypub.com/blog/artsentertainment/2009-04-05/is-blu-ray-worth-the-money
http://www.beamq.com/10mw-blue-violet-laser-pointers-p-18.html
2009-04-03
Blu-Ray, The Technology Of The Future
BeamQ Blu-ray Laser Pointers , Cheap Laser Pointer
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), as well the special recorders and players that read and/or write to the new format, are for simplicity's sake all referred to as Blu-ray. The technology was jointly developed and standardized by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), the industry umbrella organization comprising leading computer, consumer electronics and media makers Apple, Sharp, JVC, LG, TDK, Pioneer, Philips, Mitsubishi, Panasonic Samsung, Dell, Hitachi, HP, Sony, and Thomson.
Those of you who have not been following this "tech saga" may think the road to a "next-generation optical disc format" was smooth and straight. Not so. In fact, when the first movie titles were released on Blu-ray, in June of 2006, the press reported it as an attempt to catch up to HD-DVD, its rival and the market leader at the time. Home Media Retailing reported it this way:
As rival HD-DVD continues to make headway in the market, Blu-ray Disc, the next-generation optical-disc format supported by the lion's share of studios and consumer electronics manufacturers, makes its long-awaited - and oft-delayed - debut this week.
The first batch of seven Blu-ray titles, all from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, [is] scheduled to arrive in stores June 20. The first set-top Blu-ray player, from Samsung, is slated to go on sale June 25.
Of course, HD-DVD is nowhere to be found anymore, and Blu-ray stands alone as the new "next-generation" technology that empowers consumers to record, rewrite and play HD (high-definition) video. Even more, it offers huge amounts of storage space, more than five times as much as a standard DVD at 25GB on a single-layer disc, 50GB on a dual. This phenomenal capacity is matched by the high-quality, advanced video and audio "codecs" (compression/decompression processes) that deliver an unprecedented viewing and listening experience.
The color counts
At the time of Blu-ray's introduction, optical disc recorders writing such formats as DVD, DVD卤R, DVD卤RW and DVD-RAM all used red lasers for reading and writing data. The new Blu-ray technology uses a blue-violet laser, however, which is how it got its name. Because a blue-violet laser has a shorter wavelength (405nm, nanometers, or billionths of a meter) than a red one (650nm), the device can focus the laser much more precisely.
Manufacturing methods and material preparation continue to improve, as well, but it is the blue-violet laser's precision that enables it to "pack" more data in less space. The original optical disc, the CD, maxed out at 800MB, whereas the later DVD was able to get 4.6GB on one layer and 9GB on two. With the different colored laser and the other new processes, a BD can now hold 25GB/50GB. Engineers at Pioneer and other BDA member firms have reportedly push the storage capacity of a BD to 500GB and beyond, on one disc, by using as many as 20 layers.
The future is bright
Over 200 leading computer, consumer electronics, music, recording media and video game companies support the Blu-ray format. It also has solid support from the major Hollywood studios and the vast majority of the smaller ones. Blu-ray is the heir apparent to today's reigning DVD format, and many studios have taken to releasing feature films on BD "day-and-date" with DVD (Hollywood code for "at the same time"). Every month sees new titles released in this stunning new format, and the catalog of classic films is also growing steadily. The Internet is awash with sites and information about Blu-ray movies, from dedicated Blu-ray "movie review" pages that preview new and upcoming Blu-ray releases, to simple but comprehensive lists of what movies are presently available in the BD format.
As with any new technology, the first BD players were pricey. The very first unit debuted on June 25th, 2006, from Samsung. Its retail price tag was a staggering $999.99. The world was ready for the technology, however, as several generations of buyers have now grown up with digital technology. The comfort factor is high, the "technoliteracy" level is, too, and everyone seems to like a gorgeous, lifelike, color picture on the screen and surround sound over the speakers. This initial acceptance led to a rapid reduction in retail cost, of course. In February 2009, less that three years after the first unit rolled out at a thousand-dollar price point, tech news website DigiTimes reported the following:
Following an intensive price war to promote sales of Blu-ray Disc (BD) players amid international brands in the US and European markets prior to Christmas 2008, white-box vendors are likely to offer BD player models for sale at US$150 in 2009, according to the Chinese-language newspaper Economic Daily News (EDN).
In addition to white-box vendors, Lite-On IT, the largest Taiwan-based maker of half-height optical disc drives, plans to offer BD players also for sale at about US$150, EDN indicated.
Five million BD players were sold around the world in 2008 and the sales volume for this year will increase to 11 million units, EDN quoted [a] forecast by Taiwan-based Topology Research Institute as indicating.
The fact is, there are much greater advances in store for the future, with optical technology, flash memory, processors and all manner of other marvels. Blu-ray is no longer on the horizon, it is up close and personal, and can be in your living room for half the cost of the entry-level iPhone.
Blu-ray is only "the technology of the future" in a comparative sense, inasmuch as it is the closest thing to the future we now have, and incorporates advances that will certainly be integral parts of future devices that are now on the drawing board. Think of it this way: Considering how incredible the Blu-ray technology is, and how quickly such state-of-the-art capability got to the $150 price point, the devices coming off those drawing boards in the next year or two will be absolutely incredible!
Read it here
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), as well the special recorders and players that read and/or write to the new format, are for simplicity's sake all referred to as Blu-ray. The technology was jointly developed and standardized by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), the industry umbrella organization comprising leading computer, consumer electronics and media makers Apple, Sharp, JVC, LG, TDK, Pioneer, Philips, Mitsubishi, Panasonic Samsung, Dell, Hitachi, HP, Sony, and Thomson.
Those of you who have not been following this "tech saga" may think the road to a "next-generation optical disc format" was smooth and straight. Not so. In fact, when the first movie titles were released on Blu-ray, in June of 2006, the press reported it as an attempt to catch up to HD-DVD, its rival and the market leader at the time. Home Media Retailing reported it this way:
As rival HD-DVD continues to make headway in the market, Blu-ray Disc, the next-generation optical-disc format supported by the lion's share of studios and consumer electronics manufacturers, makes its long-awaited - and oft-delayed - debut this week.
The first batch of seven Blu-ray titles, all from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, [is] scheduled to arrive in stores June 20. The first set-top Blu-ray player, from Samsung, is slated to go on sale June 25.
Of course, HD-DVD is nowhere to be found anymore, and Blu-ray stands alone as the new "next-generation" technology that empowers consumers to record, rewrite and play HD (high-definition) video. Even more, it offers huge amounts of storage space, more than five times as much as a standard DVD at 25GB on a single-layer disc, 50GB on a dual. This phenomenal capacity is matched by the high-quality, advanced video and audio "codecs" (compression/decompression processes) that deliver an unprecedented viewing and listening experience.
The color counts
At the time of Blu-ray's introduction, optical disc recorders writing such formats as DVD, DVD卤R, DVD卤RW and DVD-RAM all used red lasers for reading and writing data. The new Blu-ray technology uses a blue-violet laser, however, which is how it got its name. Because a blue-violet laser has a shorter wavelength (405nm, nanometers, or billionths of a meter) than a red one (650nm), the device can focus the laser much more precisely.
Manufacturing methods and material preparation continue to improve, as well, but it is the blue-violet laser's precision that enables it to "pack" more data in less space. The original optical disc, the CD, maxed out at 800MB, whereas the later DVD was able to get 4.6GB on one layer and 9GB on two. With the different colored laser and the other new processes, a BD can now hold 25GB/50GB. Engineers at Pioneer and other BDA member firms have reportedly push the storage capacity of a BD to 500GB and beyond, on one disc, by using as many as 20 layers.
The future is bright
Over 200 leading computer, consumer electronics, music, recording media and video game companies support the Blu-ray format. It also has solid support from the major Hollywood studios and the vast majority of the smaller ones. Blu-ray is the heir apparent to today's reigning DVD format, and many studios have taken to releasing feature films on BD "day-and-date" with DVD (Hollywood code for "at the same time"). Every month sees new titles released in this stunning new format, and the catalog of classic films is also growing steadily. The Internet is awash with sites and information about Blu-ray movies, from dedicated Blu-ray "movie review" pages that preview new and upcoming Blu-ray releases, to simple but comprehensive lists of what movies are presently available in the BD format.
As with any new technology, the first BD players were pricey. The very first unit debuted on June 25th, 2006, from Samsung. Its retail price tag was a staggering $999.99. The world was ready for the technology, however, as several generations of buyers have now grown up with digital technology. The comfort factor is high, the "technoliteracy" level is, too, and everyone seems to like a gorgeous, lifelike, color picture on the screen and surround sound over the speakers. This initial acceptance led to a rapid reduction in retail cost, of course. In February 2009, less that three years after the first unit rolled out at a thousand-dollar price point, tech news website DigiTimes reported the following:
Following an intensive price war to promote sales of Blu-ray Disc (BD) players amid international brands in the US and European markets prior to Christmas 2008, white-box vendors are likely to offer BD player models for sale at US$150 in 2009, according to the Chinese-language newspaper Economic Daily News (EDN).
In addition to white-box vendors, Lite-On IT, the largest Taiwan-based maker of half-height optical disc drives, plans to offer BD players also for sale at about US$150, EDN indicated.
Five million BD players were sold around the world in 2008 and the sales volume for this year will increase to 11 million units, EDN quoted [a] forecast by Taiwan-based Topology Research Institute as indicating.
The fact is, there are much greater advances in store for the future, with optical technology, flash memory, processors and all manner of other marvels. Blu-ray is no longer on the horizon, it is up close and personal, and can be in your living room for half the cost of the entry-level iPhone.
Blu-ray is only "the technology of the future" in a comparative sense, inasmuch as it is the closest thing to the future we now have, and incorporates advances that will certainly be integral parts of future devices that are now on the drawing board. Think of it this way: Considering how incredible the Blu-ray technology is, and how quickly such state-of-the-art capability got to the $150 price point, the devices coming off those drawing boards in the next year or two will be absolutely incredible!
Read it here
2009-04-02
2009-04-01
Manpackable Laser Weapons on the Way for U.S. Military's Future Soldiers?
There's a scene towards the end of the movie Congo (1995) where Laura Linney's character, Dr. Karen Ross, slices through an attack force of homicidal and generally-disagreeable grey gorillas with a diamond-based portable laser weapon like a Ginsu knife through a ripe tomato. It's scenes like this that excite the minds of U.S. military/DoD (Department of Defense) weapons developers, and encourage them to make them a reality. But lightweight, manpackable solid-state weapons-grade lasers a.k.a. weaponized lasers a.k.a. laser weapons have so far been relegated to the realms of science fiction and entertainment, but thanks to companies like Northrop Grumman and Boeing, they very well may become a reality in our lifetimes.
It's being reported that Northrop Grumman has successfully developed a seven-laser-chain 105.5 kW solid-state laser called "Firestrike" that's scalable up to 120 kW by adding an eigth chain. Firestrike's scalable "building-block" approach was apparently the...
The Firestrike high-power laser, a product of the Joint High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) program, was tested at five minutes of of continuous operation, and has been operated for a total duration of 85+ minutes to date. During the 5-minute test, the laser achieved electro-optical efficiency of 19.3 percent (19.3%), and reached full power in less than 0.6 seconds. Beam quality was better than 3.0.
So, how does it work? Here's how Noah Shachtman of Wired Blog Network "Danger Room" fame explains it in his article Military Laser Hits Battlefield Strength (grammar-corrected):
In its lab, south of Los Angeles, Northrop combines 32 garnet crystal "modules" into "laser amplifier chains." Shine light-emitting diodes into 'em, and they start the laser chain-reaction, shooting out as much as 15 kilowatts of focused light. Combine all those beams into one, and you've got yourself a battlefield-strength ray.
While a 100-kilowatt (100kW) laser may have been the "proof of principle" sought for weapons-grade laser systems by DoD officials, a Northrop representative asserts that a 25-50kW laser has military utility, or as he/she puts it, is capable of "militarily useful effects, provided the laser has good beam quality, as Northrop's system does.
But, don't start counting your sliced, diced, and fricasseed enemy combatants just yet. Mr. Shachtman offers up this little nugget of celebration-mitigating buzzkill, er, caveat:
Does that mean energy weapons are a done deal? Hardly. There are still all sorts of technical issues--thermal management and miniaturization, to name two--that have to be handled first. Then, the ray gunners have to find the money. The National Academies figure it'll take another $100 million to get battlefield lasers right.
And, in the current economic climate, and with an anti-defense-spending White House, that $100 million might not be all that easy to come up with in a timely fashion. Then again, next to the gargantuan dollar numbers of Obama's mega-billion-dollar "stimulus" packages, $100 million does seem like a rather piddling sum for next-generation, paradigm-shift-level weapons tech. And, it's green (we think), which Obama should like.
DefenseReview is curious as to what the battery power solution will be. Adequate battery power has been a constant thorn in the side of all future soldier/warfighter-type R&D programs to date.
By the way, as we briefly alluded-to above, Boeing is reported to have used a ground-based "kilowatt-class" solid-state laser called "Laser Avenger" to shoot down a UAS/UAV (Unmanned Aircraft System/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) earlier this year. Previously, Laser Avenger's primary claim to fame was as an IED (Improvised Explosive Device)/unexploded munitions neutralizer.
But, getting back to manpackable weaponized lasers, it will be interesting to see if they pass Hague, who's perameters/restrictions the U.S. seems intent on following, even though we never signed on and we're currently fighting a subnational conflict against an enemy with no flag or uniforms. It's DefenseReview's opinion that if we ever achieve truly manpackable 100kw+ lasers, the deterrent value alone is worth fielding them, let alone the warfighter-survability aspects.
It's being reported that Northrop Grumman has successfully developed a seven-laser-chain 105.5 kW solid-state laser called "Firestrike" that's scalable up to 120 kW by adding an eigth chain. Firestrike's scalable "building-block" approach was apparently the...
The Firestrike high-power laser, a product of the Joint High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) program, was tested at five minutes of of continuous operation, and has been operated for a total duration of 85+ minutes to date. During the 5-minute test, the laser achieved electro-optical efficiency of 19.3 percent (19.3%), and reached full power in less than 0.6 seconds. Beam quality was better than 3.0.
So, how does it work? Here's how Noah Shachtman of Wired Blog Network "Danger Room" fame explains it in his article Military Laser Hits Battlefield Strength (grammar-corrected):
In its lab, south of Los Angeles, Northrop combines 32 garnet crystal "modules" into "laser amplifier chains." Shine light-emitting diodes into 'em, and they start the laser chain-reaction, shooting out as much as 15 kilowatts of focused light. Combine all those beams into one, and you've got yourself a battlefield-strength ray.
While a 100-kilowatt (100kW) laser may have been the "proof of principle" sought for weapons-grade laser systems by DoD officials, a Northrop representative asserts that a 25-50kW laser has military utility, or as he/she puts it, is capable of "militarily useful effects, provided the laser has good beam quality, as Northrop's system does.
But, don't start counting your sliced, diced, and fricasseed enemy combatants just yet. Mr. Shachtman offers up this little nugget of celebration-mitigating buzzkill, er, caveat:
Does that mean energy weapons are a done deal? Hardly. There are still all sorts of technical issues--thermal management and miniaturization, to name two--that have to be handled first. Then, the ray gunners have to find the money. The National Academies figure it'll take another $100 million to get battlefield lasers right.
And, in the current economic climate, and with an anti-defense-spending White House, that $100 million might not be all that easy to come up with in a timely fashion. Then again, next to the gargantuan dollar numbers of Obama's mega-billion-dollar "stimulus" packages, $100 million does seem like a rather piddling sum for next-generation, paradigm-shift-level weapons tech. And, it's green (we think), which Obama should like.
DefenseReview is curious as to what the battery power solution will be. Adequate battery power has been a constant thorn in the side of all future soldier/warfighter-type R&D programs to date.
By the way, as we briefly alluded-to above, Boeing is reported to have used a ground-based "kilowatt-class" solid-state laser called "Laser Avenger" to shoot down a UAS/UAV (Unmanned Aircraft System/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) earlier this year. Previously, Laser Avenger's primary claim to fame was as an IED (Improvised Explosive Device)/unexploded munitions neutralizer.
But, getting back to manpackable weaponized lasers, it will be interesting to see if they pass Hague, who's perameters/restrictions the U.S. seems intent on following, even though we never signed on and we're currently fighting a subnational conflict against an enemy with no flag or uniforms. It's DefenseReview's opinion that if we ever achieve truly manpackable 100kw+ lasers, the deterrent value alone is worth fielding them, let alone the warfighter-survability aspects.
2009-02-19
Guideline: Laser Pointer Guidelines
Laser pointers should be labelled a class I or class II laser product. Class III laser pointers should not be used.
A laser pointer is not a toy. Keep out of reach of children and juveniles.
Never point the laser pointer at people.
Misuse of a laser pointer may cause discomfort glare. Viewing the laser beam may cause a temporary blindness and an after image that is disturbing to the victim. Deliberately staring into a laser beam may cause retinal damage.
The pointer should only be used to point out inanimate objects, such as slide images etc.
Avoid shining on mirror-like targets and objects.
Never view the laser beam with any optical instrument, unless approved by the Laser Safety Officer.
Take the batteries out when not in use to avoid accidental exposures.
http://policies.anu.edu.au/guidelines/laser_pointer_guidelines/guideline
A laser pointer is not a toy. Keep out of reach of children and juveniles.
Never point the laser pointer at people.
Misuse of a laser pointer may cause discomfort glare. Viewing the laser beam may cause a temporary blindness and an after image that is disturbing to the victim. Deliberately staring into a laser beam may cause retinal damage.
The pointer should only be used to point out inanimate objects, such as slide images etc.
Avoid shining on mirror-like targets and objects.
Never view the laser beam with any optical instrument, unless approved by the Laser Safety Officer.
Take the batteries out when not in use to avoid accidental exposures.
http://policies.anu.edu.au/guidelines/laser_pointer_guidelines/guideline
6 Fantastic Laser Pointer Projects
Burning lasers, keychain lasers, 1000 watt lasers…We love them all. Everyone enjoys the green, red, or even blue glow of lasery goodness. We’ve found six outstanding projects using lasers you don’t want to miss.
Learn how to make your own home laser show for dirt cheap.
Make a laser projector with a custom stand.
Kipkay has a few videos on how to create burning red and blue lasers.
http://www.hacknmod.com/hack/6-fantastic-laser-pointer-projects/
Learn how to make your own home laser show for dirt cheap.
Make a laser projector with a custom stand.
Kipkay has a few videos on how to create burning red and blue lasers.
http://www.hacknmod.com/hack/6-fantastic-laser-pointer-projects/
STATEMENT ON THE USE OF LASER POINTERS
Laser pointers have been used in lecture theatres for a number of years and when used in a responsible manner they can be an effective tool. Recently, due to price reductions, these devices have been marketed widely as novelty items and complaints have been received of their inappropriate use by some attendees during lectures.
Laser Hazards
Lasers, an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation are an extremely bright source of light. A 1 mW visible laser is about one million times more brilliant than a 100 watt light bulb and such light can, under certain conditions, cause damage to the eye. Lasers are classified into four main classes to identify the risk associated with them. Class 1 represents the least hazardous where exposure of the eye to direct or reflected beams is not expected to produce any damage. Class 2 lasers have an output of up to 1 mW and do not damage the eye when the exposure to the eye does not exceed 250 milliseconds. This is normally the time that it takes to react to a bright source of light and close one's eye (the blink reflex). Class 3 lasers are subdivided into Class 3A (output < 5mW) and Class 3B (output > 5mW). Class 3 and 4 lasers can damage the eye in a time less than the blink reflex and because of this Class 3B and 4 lasers are subject to strict controls under the University's laser safety program.
Class 1 lasers are not sufficiently bright to be of use as pointers and therefore laser pointers are Class 2 or Class 3A. The latter emit up to 5 milliwatts and they will produce exposures that can damage the eye faster than one can blink. The United Kingdom has banned the sale of Class 3A laser pointers although they are legal in Canada and the United States. A number of State and local governments in the U.S. have enacted regulations to limit the use of Class 3A pointers.
Exposure of a person's eyes to a momentary sweep of a Class 2 or Class 3 laser beam can result in temporary flash blindness, afterimage and glare which can be particularly dangerous if the individual is engaged in a vision-critical activity. There are documented cases of retinal damage following multi-second exposures to Class 3A laser pointers.
Safety Precautions
Recognize that Class 2 and Class 3A laser pointers are not toys and that Class 3A lasers in particular can cause damage to the eye;
Only purchase pointers where the output power, laser hazard classification and a warning about potential eye hazard are shown on a label or included in the instructions for use;
Unless needed for a specific purpose, avoid the purchase of Class 3A laser pointers;
It is recommended that only pointers which have a maximum Class 2 labeling (less than 1 mW) be used with wavelength between 630 and 680 nm; purchase a shorter wavelength laser if given the choice: a 1 mW laser at 630 nm will appear much brighter than a 5 mW laser at 670 nm;
Never look directly into the laser beam;
Never aim the pointer at people or at reflective surfaces;
Only purchase pointers that stay on only while you apply pressure to it with your fingers;
Misuse
Improper use of a laser pointer by failing to follow the safety precautions can cause eye damage and such practice is not acceptable. Improper use may create conditions that endanger the health or safety of others, and includes disruption of classes through playful scanning of beams, even though no injury results. Those misusing laser pointers may be subject to disciplinary procedures under the Code of Student Conduct or the appropriate staff policies or be subject to possible legal action if injury results.
http://www.ehs.utoronto.ca/services/laserpg/laserptr.htm
Laser Hazards
Lasers, an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation are an extremely bright source of light. A 1 mW visible laser is about one million times more brilliant than a 100 watt light bulb and such light can, under certain conditions, cause damage to the eye. Lasers are classified into four main classes to identify the risk associated with them. Class 1 represents the least hazardous where exposure of the eye to direct or reflected beams is not expected to produce any damage. Class 2 lasers have an output of up to 1 mW and do not damage the eye when the exposure to the eye does not exceed 250 milliseconds. This is normally the time that it takes to react to a bright source of light and close one's eye (the blink reflex). Class 3 lasers are subdivided into Class 3A (output < 5mW) and Class 3B (output > 5mW). Class 3 and 4 lasers can damage the eye in a time less than the blink reflex and because of this Class 3B and 4 lasers are subject to strict controls under the University's laser safety program.
Class 1 lasers are not sufficiently bright to be of use as pointers and therefore laser pointers are Class 2 or Class 3A. The latter emit up to 5 milliwatts and they will produce exposures that can damage the eye faster than one can blink. The United Kingdom has banned the sale of Class 3A laser pointers although they are legal in Canada and the United States. A number of State and local governments in the U.S. have enacted regulations to limit the use of Class 3A pointers.
Exposure of a person's eyes to a momentary sweep of a Class 2 or Class 3 laser beam can result in temporary flash blindness, afterimage and glare which can be particularly dangerous if the individual is engaged in a vision-critical activity. There are documented cases of retinal damage following multi-second exposures to Class 3A laser pointers.
Safety Precautions
Recognize that Class 2 and Class 3A laser pointers are not toys and that Class 3A lasers in particular can cause damage to the eye;
Only purchase pointers where the output power, laser hazard classification and a warning about potential eye hazard are shown on a label or included in the instructions for use;
Unless needed for a specific purpose, avoid the purchase of Class 3A laser pointers;
It is recommended that only pointers which have a maximum Class 2 labeling (less than 1 mW) be used with wavelength between 630 and 680 nm; purchase a shorter wavelength laser if given the choice: a 1 mW laser at 630 nm will appear much brighter than a 5 mW laser at 670 nm;
Never look directly into the laser beam;
Never aim the pointer at people or at reflective surfaces;
Only purchase pointers that stay on only while you apply pressure to it with your fingers;
Misuse
Improper use of a laser pointer by failing to follow the safety precautions can cause eye damage and such practice is not acceptable. Improper use may create conditions that endanger the health or safety of others, and includes disruption of classes through playful scanning of beams, even though no injury results. Those misusing laser pointers may be subject to disciplinary procedures under the Code of Student Conduct or the appropriate staff policies or be subject to possible legal action if injury results.
http://www.ehs.utoronto.ca/services/laserpg/laserptr.htm
2009-02-18
LASER POINTER
Laser pointers can be an effective aid to communication by allowing the user to point out objects, signs or symbols on a message board communicator.
The laser can be worn with the supplied headband or glasses clip, or can be attached to any part of the body as required.
Most lasers on the market do not have an ON/OFF switch that is easily accessable. To overcome this problem Technical Solutions has developed a Flexi Control Module which controls the switching of the laser pointer.
CONTROL MODULE
The control module allows you to use any of our special purpose switches to turn the laser on and off. It also supplies power to the laser pointer.
http://www.tecsol.com.au/LaserPointer.htm
The laser can be worn with the supplied headband or glasses clip, or can be attached to any part of the body as required.
Most lasers on the market do not have an ON/OFF switch that is easily accessable. To overcome this problem Technical Solutions has developed a Flexi Control Module which controls the switching of the laser pointer.
CONTROL MODULE
The control module allows you to use any of our special purpose switches to turn the laser on and off. It also supplies power to the laser pointer.
http://www.tecsol.com.au/LaserPointer.htm
Aussie laser-pointer dazzle attacks on airliners:
Australian politicians are demanding restrictions on the ownership of laser pointers in the land down under. The banning calls follow a series of widely-reported incidents in which individuals on the ground have attempted to dazzle pilots of commercial aircraft making approaches to landing.
A particularly troublesome dazzling attack took place last Friday, involving at least four comparatively-powerful green laser pointers in the Bexley area of Sydney. Six passenger flights were affected, with air-traffic controllers having to re-route the planes.
"The use of these laser pointers against aeroplanes is unbelievably stupid and cannot be tolerated," Australian Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I cannot say what the motivation of this extraordinarily irresponsible behaviour has been - there are a range of possibilities from vandalism and stupidity through to outright criminality.
"There is every reason to treat these devices as if they are firearms and respond with that kind of severity."
Laser-dazzling harassment of aircraft in Australia is a common problem, with official spokesmen saying that five to six incidents are typically reported each week.
New South Wales Police Minister David Campbell said that the state might ban laser pointers.
"There are some penalties that police can impose now, but we're looking to make these items a prohibited weapon in certain circumstances," he told the Herald.
Some green laser pointers are significantly more powerful than ordinary red ones, with expensive models putting out enough energy to pop a balloon at close range. Their effects against aircraft, however, are purely a matter of dazzling the pilots. There has been military interest in "non-lethal" laser weapons intended for just this sort of attack, or perhaps ones which might permanently blind enemies - though purpose-built blinding weapons are banned by international convention.
In Canada, there has recently been a debate over government plans to trial dazzler technology in Afghanistan, as an alternative to deadly force; Canadian troops are committed in the dangerous southern areas of Afghanistan, and have been compelled to open fire many times. In general, however, the huge amounts of negative publicity resulting from non-lethal weapons has made armed forces and police reluctant to get seriously involved.
America has also seen lasering of airline pilots, with the Feds deploying Patriot Act measures against suspected dazzler terrorists a couple of years back.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/03/australian_airliner_laser_attacks/
A particularly troublesome dazzling attack took place last Friday, involving at least four comparatively-powerful green laser pointers in the Bexley area of Sydney. Six passenger flights were affected, with air-traffic controllers having to re-route the planes.
"The use of these laser pointers against aeroplanes is unbelievably stupid and cannot be tolerated," Australian Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I cannot say what the motivation of this extraordinarily irresponsible behaviour has been - there are a range of possibilities from vandalism and stupidity through to outright criminality.
"There is every reason to treat these devices as if they are firearms and respond with that kind of severity."
Laser-dazzling harassment of aircraft in Australia is a common problem, with official spokesmen saying that five to six incidents are typically reported each week.
New South Wales Police Minister David Campbell said that the state might ban laser pointers.
"There are some penalties that police can impose now, but we're looking to make these items a prohibited weapon in certain circumstances," he told the Herald.
Some green laser pointers are significantly more powerful than ordinary red ones, with expensive models putting out enough energy to pop a balloon at close range. Their effects against aircraft, however, are purely a matter of dazzling the pilots. There has been military interest in "non-lethal" laser weapons intended for just this sort of attack, or perhaps ones which might permanently blind enemies - though purpose-built blinding weapons are banned by international convention.
In Canada, there has recently been a debate over government plans to trial dazzler technology in Afghanistan, as an alternative to deadly force; Canadian troops are committed in the dangerous southern areas of Afghanistan, and have been compelled to open fire many times. In general, however, the huge amounts of negative publicity resulting from non-lethal weapons has made armed forces and police reluctant to get seriously involved.
America has also seen lasering of airline pilots, with the Feds deploying Patriot Act measures against suspected dazzler terrorists a couple of years back.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/03/australian_airliner_laser_attacks/
2009-02-13
Man arrested on suspicion of aiming laser at helicopter
The pilot of the sheriff's helicopter was flying above Rancho Santa Margarita at 10:37 p.m. when he became distracted by a laser beam that was hitting the helicopter, Lt. Ted Boyne of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.
The helicopter remained in the area and was targeted by the same beam of light three times before the pilot was able to track the origin of the beam to an apartment complex on Via Amistosa, Boyne said.
"They have the ability to track them down to the bedroom," Boyne said.
A deputy led to the apartment building by the helicopter found Mitchell Cruz Re. The deputy talked to Re, and he admitted to pointing a laser at the helicopter, Boyne said.
Deputies searched Re, and reported finding a small quantity of methamphetamine, he said.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/helicopter-beam-laser-2307673-year-old
The helicopter remained in the area and was targeted by the same beam of light three times before the pilot was able to track the origin of the beam to an apartment complex on Via Amistosa, Boyne said.
"They have the ability to track them down to the bedroom," Boyne said.
A deputy led to the apartment building by the helicopter found Mitchell Cruz Re. The deputy talked to Re, and he admitted to pointing a laser at the helicopter, Boyne said.
Deputies searched Re, and reported finding a small quantity of methamphetamine, he said.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/helicopter-beam-laser-2307673-year-old
2009-01-08
Pilots urge ban on laser pointers to avoid disaster
AIRLINE pilots have called for hand-held laser pointers to be banned after a number of pilots were dazzled by them while landing.
Thugs have hit pilots at Dublin Airport with the lasers just 90 seconds before landing, and in a worst-case scenario they could suffer temporary blindness, which could lead to a disaster.
Yesterday, Captain Adrian Hinkson of the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) said that up to a dozen incidents had been recorded at Dublin Airport since September, prompting Aer Lingus to issue guidance to its pilots on what to do in the event of being targeted by thugs wielding the potentially deadly devices.
"This has been happening quite a bit where idiots are using them to shine into the cockpits of airplanes on approach when they're quite close in," he said.
"Some of these things would almost have a military specification. Our problem is it's currently not an offence to have one," he added.
"If it gets you in the eye you're going to be incapacitated for up to half an hour, and you can also suffer retinal damage. Gardai and the air traffic controllers have been extremely good; but without legislation, people could escape with just a fine."
Captain Hinkson said the lasers should be classified as weapons, making it illegal to possess one except under licence.
The high-powered pointers are used by professional astronomers and enthusiasts for pointing out stars, but people should require a licence to own one, he added.
In the US, a San Jose, California man was arrested in November on suspicion of pointing a laser at an aircraft.
Another man was sentenced to two years probation in 2005 after he pleaded guilty to interfering with pilots of a passenger aircraft by shining a hand-held laser into the cockpit of a plane at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.
The Irish Aviation Authority said 10 such incidents have taken place since September and that gardai have used aerial support to try and pinpoint the laser sources. And Aer Lingus said six of its flights had been targeted with laser light beams in recent months.
Gardai said it had received reports about people aiming the lasers at aircraft coming into Dublin, but could not confirm if a file was pending over any of the incidents.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/pilots-urge-ban-on-laser-pointers-to-avoid-disaster-1592102.html
Thugs have hit pilots at Dublin Airport with the lasers just 90 seconds before landing, and in a worst-case scenario they could suffer temporary blindness, which could lead to a disaster.
Yesterday, Captain Adrian Hinkson of the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) said that up to a dozen incidents had been recorded at Dublin Airport since September, prompting Aer Lingus to issue guidance to its pilots on what to do in the event of being targeted by thugs wielding the potentially deadly devices.
"This has been happening quite a bit where idiots are using them to shine into the cockpits of airplanes on approach when they're quite close in," he said.
"Some of these things would almost have a military specification. Our problem is it's currently not an offence to have one," he added.
"If it gets you in the eye you're going to be incapacitated for up to half an hour, and you can also suffer retinal damage. Gardai and the air traffic controllers have been extremely good; but without legislation, people could escape with just a fine."
Captain Hinkson said the lasers should be classified as weapons, making it illegal to possess one except under licence.
The high-powered pointers are used by professional astronomers and enthusiasts for pointing out stars, but people should require a licence to own one, he added.
In the US, a San Jose, California man was arrested in November on suspicion of pointing a laser at an aircraft.
Another man was sentenced to two years probation in 2005 after he pleaded guilty to interfering with pilots of a passenger aircraft by shining a hand-held laser into the cockpit of a plane at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.
The Irish Aviation Authority said 10 such incidents have taken place since September and that gardai have used aerial support to try and pinpoint the laser sources. And Aer Lingus said six of its flights had been targeted with laser light beams in recent months.
Gardai said it had received reports about people aiming the lasers at aircraft coming into Dublin, but could not confirm if a file was pending over any of the incidents.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/pilots-urge-ban-on-laser-pointers-to-avoid-disaster-1592102.html
2009-01-07
intro7 colour laser optics
A warning before we start, this project should give little trouble to experienced laser modders, if you have never built your own laser I would suggest starting with something more basic.
Using inexpensive and easy to get parts, build a 7 colour, including of course white, hand held laser.
The following parts will be enough to build a bare, 7 selectable colour laser, it is up to you to make the housing of your choice. This could easily be built into a project box but I wanted a hand held pointer. Video link below shows what I decided to do with it.
http://www.instructables.com/id/7_colour_laser_optics/
Using inexpensive and easy to get parts, build a 7 colour, including of course white, hand held laser.
The following parts will be enough to build a bare, 7 selectable colour laser, it is up to you to make the housing of your choice. This could easily be built into a project box but I wanted a hand held pointer. Video link below shows what I decided to do with it.
http://www.instructables.com/id/7_colour_laser_optics/
2009-01-05
BeamQ Technologies and Laser Pointers
BeamQ Technologies(BeamQ Tech), is focusing on researching,producing and distributing laser pointers. The only product selling on the BeamQ Online Store, is laser pointers. The lowest power is 50mw and the highest is 200mw.
They also make low power laser pointers for promotional laser pen. You can have your company's logo or other images imprinted on laser pointers.
They also make low power laser pointers for promotional laser pen. You can have your company's logo or other images imprinted on laser pointers.
2009-01-04
All you wanted to know about green laser pointers
About green laser pointers
Green laser pointers have been around for a few years but what are they? We have all seen the red laser pointer but green is completely different. The most common type are DPSSFD, ( diode pumped solid state frequency-doubled). They are much more complicated than standard red laser pointers because laser diodes are not commonly available in this wavelength range and are more expensive to produce. They are also 50 times brighter than red. With green laser's, you can see the beam as well as the very bright dot. Green laser pointers are the preferred laser pointer because green is the most visible laser pointer color. The reason why green is more visible is the human eye is most sensitive to green light. The other reason is the effect of light in the earth's atmosphere. Light is visible in the sky when the atmosphere scatters it and higher wavelengths are scattered more than higher wavelengths. Green is a medium wavelength so it scatters more and is more visible than longer wavelengths such as red. Class 3B lasers may have an output power of up to 500 mW (half a watt) and a laser with an output power of around 100mW and above is easily capable of melting black plastic, making holes in bin liners and popping black coloured balloons or balloons marked with a black marker pen. To give you an idea of what to expect, if you were to enter a room that is pitch black and used the laser on the ceiling, you would be able to see everything in the room. The beam would also be very visible looking like a green rod stretching out. When used outside, the beam seems to reach the stars. The power output of laser's are measured in mW (milliWatts) and can range from 5mW to around 300mW. of course the more power you have, the easier they will burn and the brighter they are.
Infra red filter warning
Laser pointers give out a lot of infrared light which you can't see making them less bright. Laser power meters however cannot distinguish between green light and infrared light. Some inferior laser pointer will normally be made up of mostly infrared light. For example a 100mW inferior laser pointer is likely to have a combination 20mW green (532nm) and 80mW infrared (808nm). All genuine green laser pointers and portable lasers have infrared filters inside them that blocks infrared light. Some laser pointers have had this filter removed or have been manufactured without the filter. Without this filter, these laser pointers are very dangerous because the infrared light can damage your eyes. All the laser pointers we sell contain the correct IR filter.
What to look out for when buying
I have recently noticed cheap fake laser pointers selling at lower than trade prices. i.e. 100mw for about £20 and 200mw at about £40. These are pretty much underpowered lasers like 20mw with a 100mw label attached or 50mw with a 200mw label. If you are buying a laser of about 100mw and above and do not pop black balloons and put holes in black bin liners e.t.c. then it is more than likely that you have purchased a fake.
Important information about a laser lens
The lens on a laser is very sensitive to any dirt or grease particles and when contaminated, it is almost impossible to clean and will require a replacement lens. Most lasers available do not have interchangeable lenses and you will be stuck with a laser that shows a dot surrounded by a blur of dots and lines. The lens on our lasers can be changed in about 30 seconds and we always keep spares for that reason.
Fun things to do with laser pointers
Laser pointers over about 100mW can pop balloons and melt plastic. Dark or black balloons are required because they are better at absorbing green light. White or light coloured balloons will have too much reflection and the absorbed energy will not be enough to pop the balloon. If you don't have any dark/black balloons, you can use a black marker pen to put a black spot on the balloon that you can aim the laser at. These lasers will also burn plastic and put holes through bin liners, of course black objects are better. When pointed on some dark materials, you can literally see smoke rising.
Common laser power output available: 5mw 20mw 50mw 75mw 100mw 125mw 150mw 200mw 300mw
So Many Uses:
Astronomers
Teachers
Students
Bird Watchers
Presentations
Tour Guides
Construction Workers
Scientific
Military
Security applications
Use to point out distant points of interest
Just for fun
How can you be sure the laser you are buying has the correct power output?
Some unscrupulous sellers will offer a high powered laser that is less than half the real power or may not even know the correct power as most sellers do not have access to a proper calibrated power meter. We test each and every laser pointer before it is shipped to you with our state of the art optical power meter from Thorlabs pictured below. The PM121 enables us to accurately measure the precise output power of every laser pointer we supply and guarantee the power before it is shipped! If you are calling to collect the laser, we will demonstrate the equipment for you to see.
Green laser pointers have been around for a few years but what are they? We have all seen the red laser pointer but green is completely different. The most common type are DPSSFD, ( diode pumped solid state frequency-doubled). They are much more complicated than standard red laser pointers because laser diodes are not commonly available in this wavelength range and are more expensive to produce. They are also 50 times brighter than red. With green laser's, you can see the beam as well as the very bright dot. Green laser pointers are the preferred laser pointer because green is the most visible laser pointer color. The reason why green is more visible is the human eye is most sensitive to green light. The other reason is the effect of light in the earth's atmosphere. Light is visible in the sky when the atmosphere scatters it and higher wavelengths are scattered more than higher wavelengths. Green is a medium wavelength so it scatters more and is more visible than longer wavelengths such as red. Class 3B lasers may have an output power of up to 500 mW (half a watt) and a laser with an output power of around 100mW and above is easily capable of melting black plastic, making holes in bin liners and popping black coloured balloons or balloons marked with a black marker pen. To give you an idea of what to expect, if you were to enter a room that is pitch black and used the laser on the ceiling, you would be able to see everything in the room. The beam would also be very visible looking like a green rod stretching out. When used outside, the beam seems to reach the stars. The power output of laser's are measured in mW (milliWatts) and can range from 5mW to around 300mW. of course the more power you have, the easier they will burn and the brighter they are.
Infra red filter warning
Laser pointers give out a lot of infrared light which you can't see making them less bright. Laser power meters however cannot distinguish between green light and infrared light. Some inferior laser pointer will normally be made up of mostly infrared light. For example a 100mW inferior laser pointer is likely to have a combination 20mW green (532nm) and 80mW infrared (808nm). All genuine green laser pointers and portable lasers have infrared filters inside them that blocks infrared light. Some laser pointers have had this filter removed or have been manufactured without the filter. Without this filter, these laser pointers are very dangerous because the infrared light can damage your eyes. All the laser pointers we sell contain the correct IR filter.
What to look out for when buying
I have recently noticed cheap fake laser pointers selling at lower than trade prices. i.e. 100mw for about £20 and 200mw at about £40. These are pretty much underpowered lasers like 20mw with a 100mw label attached or 50mw with a 200mw label. If you are buying a laser of about 100mw and above and do not pop black balloons and put holes in black bin liners e.t.c. then it is more than likely that you have purchased a fake.
Important information about a laser lens
The lens on a laser is very sensitive to any dirt or grease particles and when contaminated, it is almost impossible to clean and will require a replacement lens. Most lasers available do not have interchangeable lenses and you will be stuck with a laser that shows a dot surrounded by a blur of dots and lines. The lens on our lasers can be changed in about 30 seconds and we always keep spares for that reason.
Fun things to do with laser pointers
Laser pointers over about 100mW can pop balloons and melt plastic. Dark or black balloons are required because they are better at absorbing green light. White or light coloured balloons will have too much reflection and the absorbed energy will not be enough to pop the balloon. If you don't have any dark/black balloons, you can use a black marker pen to put a black spot on the balloon that you can aim the laser at. These lasers will also burn plastic and put holes through bin liners, of course black objects are better. When pointed on some dark materials, you can literally see smoke rising.
Common laser power output available: 5mw 20mw 50mw 75mw 100mw 125mw 150mw 200mw 300mw
So Many Uses:
Astronomers
Teachers
Students
Bird Watchers
Presentations
Tour Guides
Construction Workers
Scientific
Military
Security applications
Use to point out distant points of interest
Just for fun
How can you be sure the laser you are buying has the correct power output?
Some unscrupulous sellers will offer a high powered laser that is less than half the real power or may not even know the correct power as most sellers do not have access to a proper calibrated power meter. We test each and every laser pointer before it is shipped to you with our state of the art optical power meter from Thorlabs pictured below. The PM121 enables us to accurately measure the precise output power of every laser pointer we supply and guarantee the power before it is shipped! If you are calling to collect the laser, we will demonstrate the equipment for you to see.
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