Nd:YVO4

Hi,I had a small question.I am now stuck with 2 IR lasers.I want the diode to become green or any color.I analysed the dpss and noticed that these use a Nd:YVO4 crystal to work.At the base,it is an IR diode, and then,the crystal is pumped,so at the end,a green beam goes out.
Now,my laser diode specs are :
1w or 1000mw at 2v, 1-1.3A
808nm of wavelength

I wanted to know if that would be correct for me to use that crystal,and if I am missing anything.I purchased a aixiz module case with it's lens.
I would need help for the crystal mainly.Where can I get it for a good price?
What do I need to look for exactly?I couldn't find anything about the output .I mean will the laser still be of 1w after the crystal?
Anything else to suggest me?

It's not just an Nd:YVO4, there's the KTP, the frequency doubler that creates the green. eBay is a good place for cheap crystal sets, seller snoctony has some low powered sets for cheap. Due to the inefficiency of DPSS, your laser at best will be 250-300mW if you're lucky.

How will I be able to keep it to 1w then?I was convinced it was the best way.

Prototype said:

It's not just an Nd:YVO4, there's the KTP, the frequency doubler that creates the green. eBay is a good place for cheap crystal sets, seller snoctony has some low powered sets for cheap. Due to the inefficiency of DPSS, your laser at best will be 250-300mW if you're lucky.

Click to expand...

It also depends where he got his '808'. If it was from ebay, and a low cost
'surplus' LD, than his luck may have just run out.

@ OP

If you want to take a stab at a green build, purchase the LD and the crystal set
from snoctony. His LD's are in fact 808. If the wavelength is offspec like many 808's
floating on ebay, it may not be worth the effort.

Verifying the wavelength of your pump LD is critical.

Do you have any pics of your 808 diode? Or at least where you got it?

It doesn't work like that, there is no way to convert 1w of IR to 1w of visible light. Conversion is inefficient and lower wavelength light requires more energy.

I bought it from there : 808nm 1000mw 1W burning IR laser diode. USA 3 day ship on eBay.ca (item 280569141005 end time 10-Oct-10 20:24:47 EDT)

wannaburn said:

It also depends where he got his '808'. If it was from ebay, and a low cost
'surplus' LD, than his luck may have just run out.

Click to expand...

True.

wannaburn said:

@ OP

If you want to take a stab at a green build, purchase the LD and the crystal set
from snoctony. His LD's are in fact 808. If the wavelength is offspec like many 808's
floating on ebay, it may not be worth the effort.

Verifying the wavelength of your pump LD is critical.

Do you have any pics of your 808 diode? Or at least where you got it?

Click to expand...

I believe it is the diode mentioned here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f57/small-problem-56114.html

Edit:^Beat me to it

Haha,yes,it is indeed.I am now stuck with them.I am waiting for them to arrive here.By the time they arrive,I want to get ready to make them work

I havent purchased anything from that seller, so I cannot say if they are 808 or not.
One thing that does raise a flag is the price. To get a good true 808 will usually run you
50-70$ ea.

All the diodes ive seen selling for 20$ were surplus from Boston Laser, and the majority
of them off spec.

It took me a couple of years to find a good deal on 808's. I had bought some of the low cost ones that were sold by a member here. They are the same LD's seen all over ebay, just flooded, but offspec. A lot were unable to produce 1W, and in the same instance couldn't pump for beans.

A good indication when they arrive is any markings on the rear of the diodes.

If they look like this,



then you can expect 50mW of 532nm at best, and that's stretching it.
From the approx 30pcs I had, the best one could only make 30mW of green.

Get yourself some goggles before doing anything with these. Try the diodes out
and see what happens. You will never no, til you try.


Heres a pic of my 532 test jig. Its not as difficult as some would say to
make the alignment, but mounting the LD and a suitable platform to
mount the crystals is.

Heh I love that seller on ebay - or the one that sells a "laser" as a 2x C cell battery pack with a resistor wired directly to the diode with no heatsink :barf:

I have found goggles,but I wasn't sure of the quality,I didn't want anyways to pay 100$ for just goggles.I found these quite interesting : Laser Glasses - Infrared (IR) protection 740-1100nm :: Laser Safety :: Dragon Lasers
I have a pair of goggles that are made for normal red lasers.Will these be good enough?And just to be sure,can I test them with 2v battery or I really need a driver just to test it?I am in the process of building a good driver for it from the guides found here on this forum.Thanks for the pics also

What do you mean MarioMaster?Of course I will put a heatsink...

SylvainSSiri said:

What do you mean MarioMaster?Of course I will put a heatsink...

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I was replying to wannaburn, I suppose I should've used a quote.


Regular red goggles will not work with IR lasers, you will need to buy separate ones for IR - the ones from dragon lasers should work well.

MarioMaster said:

Heh I love that seller on ebay - or the one that sells a "laser" as a 2x C cell battery pack with a resistor wired directly to the diode with no heatsink :barf:

Click to expand...

Ahh, a good old fashioned 'caveman driver' I was guilty of using resistors for drivers
a long time ago. Long before I even knew of this forum. I can say that they do work, but the disadvantages far outweigh their usefulness. Since I started using constant current, I know one thing for sure, the only place a resistor will have in my lasers is in the test load, and the r-set on my boost drivers.

They also work well in applying epoxy

SylvainSSiri said:

I have found goggles,but I wasn't sure of the quality,I didn't want anyways to pay 100$ for just goggles.I found these quite interesting : Laser Glasses - Infrared (IR) protection 740-1100nm :: Laser Safety :: Dragon Lasers
I have a pair of goggles that are made for normal red lasers.Will these be good enough?And just to be sure,can I test them with 2v battery or I really need a driver just to test it?I am in the process of building a good driver for it from the guides found here on this forum.Thanks for the pics also

Click to expand...

Dont ever try any goggles with a class 4 or 3b for that matter, unless they are rated for the specific wavelength.

With IR, this is even more important.

When you get a pair of goggles rated for 808, get a cam and double check that no light
is passing through. This or using a power meter are the only way you will be able to tell
if they are blocking.

Setting up any DPSS laser is going to expose you to ample amounts of IR light. You will not feel any strain in the eyes if you catch intermittent reflections, but the damage still happens.

IR is a dangerous light to play around with. When working on alignment you need to be
extra cautious, as you are exposed to the cavity for extended periods.

I am quite aware that IR emission is quite dangerous for the eye.Can you tell me that the goggles from dragon lasers are ok?Here are the specs : Laser Glasses - Infrared (IR) protection 740-1100nm

OD>4 @ 190-443nm
OD>2 @ 444-454nm
OD>2 @ 717-745nm
OD>3 @ 746-1097nm

SylvainSSiri said:

I am quite aware that IR emission is quite dangerous for the eye.Can you tell me that the goggles from dragon lasers are ok?Here are the specs : Laser Glasses - Infrared (IR) protection 740-1100nm

OD>4 @ 190-443nm
OD>2 @ 444-454nm
OD>2 @ 717-745nm
OD>3 @ 746-1097nm

Click to expand...

I wasn't only referring to the 'emission' of IR that is the hazard, but rather the
circumstances of the exposure.

By the looks of the ratings, they will work for both 808 and the 1064.