- Joined
- Aug 25, 2007
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While contemplating the varying powers observed by different members of the forum and the varying powers measured by different types of meters for 405nm lasers, I came to an idea of how to reconcile these differences. Everyone that has a meter seems to get self-consistent data from their meter, so the meters in use, on the whole, seem to be precise. But with the wide variation seen diode-to-diode shown by tests done by IgorT, among other tests, says that comparing one person's tests to the tests of others can't be done in order to calibrate the power meters being used. Instead, what we need is a common calibration source. Labs use pre-calibrated light sources to test and adjust photometers and the like, so why can't we do the same thing?
My proposal: We get a common light source of our own and use it to compare and calibrate each other's meters. Our common light source? A single PHR diode, in good condition, in a housing, with a driver. This small item would be fairly inexpensive. Then, Starting with whoever makes the test light source, check the power of the diode with your home meter. Each person wanting to chip in and test their own meter can post that they are interested, and shipping addresses can be communicated via pm or e-mail. Each person pays the shipping to the next person on the list, and everyone interested gets to test their own meter with a common diode, only having to chip in a few bucks for the diode, pay shipping once on a very small package, and add their own batteries. Once everyone has tested their meters, the first person to measure the diode gets it back, and tests it again just to make certain that there has been no change in the diode's output.
An example of how I envision this going: a PHR, an Aixiz, and a Rckstr driver comes up to around $50 (just for round numbers). We get 10 people interested, each sends $5 to one person (possibly whoever has the "best", or most certain to be exactly correct, meter). This person assembles the laser in the Aixiz module, tests it on their meter, and sends it to the next person on the list. It goes around the list, back to the first person, who tests it again, and everyone compares their results. If the 1st test and the last test, both done on the same meter by the same person, match, then we have calibration factors for every meter the diode was tested on, and each person paid $5, a small amount for a battery (a 9V battery is cheap and easy, I figure everyone has one for this quick test), and 1 shipping charge A steal for confirming that you meter is accurately calibrated, if I do say so myself. I'm sure there are some meters on this forum that owners are completely confident of, but I also know there has been quite a bit of uncertainty about some meters.
Maybe even if someone wants to, the person who builds the laser could just foot the bill for the laser by himself/herself, and get to keep it in the end? Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?
My proposal: We get a common light source of our own and use it to compare and calibrate each other's meters. Our common light source? A single PHR diode, in good condition, in a housing, with a driver. This small item would be fairly inexpensive. Then, Starting with whoever makes the test light source, check the power of the diode with your home meter. Each person wanting to chip in and test their own meter can post that they are interested, and shipping addresses can be communicated via pm or e-mail. Each person pays the shipping to the next person on the list, and everyone interested gets to test their own meter with a common diode, only having to chip in a few bucks for the diode, pay shipping once on a very small package, and add their own batteries. Once everyone has tested their meters, the first person to measure the diode gets it back, and tests it again just to make certain that there has been no change in the diode's output.
An example of how I envision this going: a PHR, an Aixiz, and a Rckstr driver comes up to around $50 (just for round numbers). We get 10 people interested, each sends $5 to one person (possibly whoever has the "best", or most certain to be exactly correct, meter). This person assembles the laser in the Aixiz module, tests it on their meter, and sends it to the next person on the list. It goes around the list, back to the first person, who tests it again, and everyone compares their results. If the 1st test and the last test, both done on the same meter by the same person, match, then we have calibration factors for every meter the diode was tested on, and each person paid $5, a small amount for a battery (a 9V battery is cheap and easy, I figure everyone has one for this quick test), and 1 shipping charge A steal for confirming that you meter is accurately calibrated, if I do say so myself. I'm sure there are some meters on this forum that owners are completely confident of, but I also know there has been quite a bit of uncertainty about some meters.
Maybe even if someone wants to, the person who builds the laser could just foot the bill for the laser by himself/herself, and get to keep it in the end? Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?