Thought I'd introduce myself to the forum. I'm 21 years old, more than a bit of a science nerd, and never grew out of the level of curiosity I had as a 5 year old. I was the kind of 8 year old kid who felt like I had the power of the universe in my hand if you would hand me a laser pointer. I saved my allowance for weeks to buy a $15 5mw "pen style" laser pointer from Target and got to grow up during the diode laser renaissance when 1mw pointers became an item on the check out counter at my local 98c store.
So here I am now at 21 after a decade of internet surfing, reading, learning, soaking up all the info I could, and finally getting some hands on experience. I just ordered My first high power laser diode, a PHR-805T blue ray diode in an Aixiz housing.
I'm currently an engineering major working my way through undergrad studies. I just returned to academic studies after 2 years of completing A&P school, the training to receive an FAA certificate allowing me to work as an aircraft mechanic and return an aircraft to service after maintenance. I'm pretty good with hand tools, beyond comfortable with soldering after 5 years working in a radio controlled hobbies shop, and have a decent component-level-knowledge of electronics.
This site has been very helpful in wrapping my head around everything I'll need to be successful as a laser hobbiest. I'll be buying the components for an LM317 driver and getting it tuned before my diode arrives. Sounds like it should be a pretty basic set-up to get me started. Hopefully stronger diodes and homebuilt gas lasers will be in my near future.
After that long winded introduction, I'm looking forward to joining the community and getting my start. Thanks!
So here I am now at 21 after a decade of internet surfing, reading, learning, soaking up all the info I could, and finally getting some hands on experience. I just ordered My first high power laser diode, a PHR-805T blue ray diode in an Aixiz housing.
I'm currently an engineering major working my way through undergrad studies. I just returned to academic studies after 2 years of completing A&P school, the training to receive an FAA certificate allowing me to work as an aircraft mechanic and return an aircraft to service after maintenance. I'm pretty good with hand tools, beyond comfortable with soldering after 5 years working in a radio controlled hobbies shop, and have a decent component-level-knowledge of electronics.
This site has been very helpful in wrapping my head around everything I'll need to be successful as a laser hobbiest. I'll be buying the components for an LM317 driver and getting it tuned before my diode arrives. Sounds like it should be a pretty basic set-up to get me started. Hopefully stronger diodes and homebuilt gas lasers will be in my near future.
After that long winded introduction, I'm looking forward to joining the community and getting my start. Thanks!
