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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

The "Purple pHaze" 3W of Purple

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Feb 25, 2010
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Gentlemen, a new Combiner Class Laser hand held...

THE "Purple pHaze" Combiner Class Laser Illuminator


Here we go again....it has been awhile...but, I have been busy on another Combiner Class " Hand held " build project.....Better grab a Beer......this is a long read:beer::beer::beer:


The Concept

The Purple pHaze will be a combiner class, dual-diode unit which combines a Nichia 7875 Blue Laser (9mm) Diode @ 445nm and a Oclaro 63193 Red Laser Diode @ 640nm . The design will call for the raw CW output power of 7875 (Blue) to be nominal 2W and the 63193 (Red) to be 1W.

The goal is to realize the maximum luminosity of a perceived beam propagation in the secondary colour of Violet/Purple in the visible light spectrum.

The response of the human eye to various wavelength is documented with the attached " Wavelength Response Document" pic. Our eye is constructed such that the photons seen ( reflected ) from the 445 nm beam (Blue) have an apparent luminosity factor of 0 .0430 and the photons seen (reflected) from the 640 nm beam (Red) have an apparent luminosity factor of 0.175 . These response numbers reference the apparent luminosity of the Blue and Red colors.

See the link Spectral sensitivity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .

Also see the attached "Human Eye response to Wavelength" chart. These physiological responses are well documented. As the attached Human Eye response to Wavelength chart shows, our eyes have a peak response at the 555nm line ( Green-Yellow)....Red not near as much, Blue even less than Red and Purple much, much less than Blue.

In a mixed/combined beam propagation, as in with a mixed Blue and Red, both beams are present in the single beam path. Our eyes are receiving the air-particle reflections from both Blue and Red. Our sensitivity to the Red and Blue color is constant, even though the beams are in the exact same path/space and are mixed.

Our brain, however, will mix the two colors to result with a perception of Violet/Purple color...but our eyes still receive the emission lines of 445nm and 640nm. With those Blue and Red nm/emission lines... comes a much higher apparent luminosity than that of the typical Violet/Purple line of 410nm.
In calculating the apparent luminosity of the mixing of the Nichia 7875 Blue LD @ 445nm and an Oclaro 63193 Red LD @ 640nm, a weighted average calculation is done. See attached chart/pic "Response Luminosity Red_Blue weighted average 2".

The results of the simple weighted average math calculation are equal to an apparent luminosity factor of 0.08747. This apparent luminosity factor is much, much greater than that of the single 410nm Violet/Purple color !!!

The take away is that a mixed beam propagation will appear much brighter....by a factor of 11.82 !! Again, reference the "Wavelength Response Document" pic. The 410nm line (Violet/Purple) has an apparent luminosity factor of 0.0074. So... 11.82 x 0.0074 = 0.08747

If my premise is correct,( I hope it is !!! ) then, the luminosity of the "Purple pHaze" design will be equal to a diode or diode combination of 3W x 11.82 or.... 35.46 W of raw output CW power at the 410nm line ( Violet/Purple) to generate the same apparent luminosity of the Purple PHaze design.

So, if we want a Violet/Purple beam, which appears to have great brightness/luminosity...then the logical choice is to use a combiner design which unites a Blue and Red beam and gives a very bright looking Violet/Purple beam indeed.

The Build

This build is based on the non-traditional format of a rectangular/box design. I started with a 16mm thick, 2 Kilo (5.35 lbs) slab of solid Copper as the heat sink/optical platform. Dimensions of the Copper slab were machined down to 103mm wide by 149mm long. The thickness was left at 16mm thick.
I opted for this because Copper is the best at absorbing heat ( Aluminum is best for dissipation to the atmosphere) and a solid slab - passive design is a simple approach. This design uses no fans ( noise), uses no power as would active TE.....but... is a bitch to drill/tap and surly is no lite weight !!...but...again....sucks up heat like a sponge !!!

See the attached drawings. As illustrated, the battery, drivers, switches and wiring are located in a extruded Aluminum component box positioned under the Copper slab. Just enough room to get everything in !!! The top surface of the Copper slab serves as the platform elevation for the Laser diodes, corrective optics, steering mirror and combining Dichroic filter/mirror. This multi-level approach makes most use of the unit footprint.

At the heart of the optics is a Dichroic mirror/filter which is used to combine the Red beam with the Blue beam. This mirror/filter is a small rectangular section of glass with special coatings. In this Dichroic, the Red beam passes thru the filter with about 99 % of the light passing thru ( Transmissivity) ...and the Blue beam reflects off the opposite side with about 98% of the light bouncing off at a 90 degree angle ( Reflectivity). This is how the two (2) beams are combined and then have a joined / shared axis. This optical technique can only be used when there is a difference between the two (2) wavelengths one wants to combine.

I also opted to correct each beam with a pair of cylindrical lenses. This arrangement is called a "Cylinderical Telescope set". Both these diodes benefit from corrective optics ! The Red demands it and the Blue is much tighter with it.

You may ask...why not combine the beams first....and then use just one (1) set of cylindrical lenses ?? Well....that would be nice....but unfortunately, the cylindrical set for Blue demands a slightly different distance between the cylindrical lenses than does the Red to achieve the minimal divergence for each color. So... I really needed two (2) separate pair of Cylinderical Telescope sets.

The collimation lenses are; The LSP - 2mm EFL Aspherical for the Red and the G2 for the Blue. The drivers are adjustable X-drives from Lazereer and are set at 1.15 A for the Red and 2.2 A for the Blue.

For unit power, I decided upon a Turnigy 2S LiPo hardcase 7.4 VDC 4000 mah battery. Fortunately, Turnigy makes a small compact unit with outside dimensions of 95mm x 46mm x 25mm. This size fit perfect inside my Aluminum component box. The Battery resides within the component box.
I may leave it in place for the recharge operation. Maybe !!! Not sure yet....Or....it may be a safer option to remove the battery for a recharge.

The design is set up to charge " In Situ" or remove to charge. The suggested protocol for recharging a LiPo battery pac is to remove it from any containment, follow the manufacture rate of charge recommendations exactly and never recharge without continuous supervision during the entire charge procedure. I use an advanced "Smart Charger " which monitors the LiPo cell balance and cell voltage as to optimize the unit charge.

The Purple pHaze unit incorporates a compact digital VDC meter to monitor the voltage drop on the LiPo cell pack. Such a read-out is strongly recommended when management of LiPo cell health/status is a concern. As an added feature I decided that it would be nice to monitor the Copper slab temp via a probe located very close to the LD mounts. While this temp. metric is lagging behind real-time LD core temp...all is relative and I am just curious as to what the Copper heatsink will show with various run times. For this purpose, I incorporated an LCD backlit display that shows the temp. in both analog and digital display. Colorful and informative.

There are four (4) Switches;
S1- I/O for power from the driver to the Blue Laser diode
S2- I/O for power from the driver to the Red Laser diode
S3- I/O for power to the VDC Temp. monitor
S4- The main switch with three(3) possible selections - Off/Laser Armed/Laser On
The reason behind the selection of this specific Main switch is one of safety. This switch is a toggle style unit with three (3) possible positions.

1) With the toggle fully to the Left orientation, NO power is available for both Laser drivers/diodes. This is called the "OFF" position.

2) With the toggle in the centre position, we still have NO power available to the Laser drivers/diodes...but now the Red LED indicator light is flashing Red. This is called the "Arm" position.

3) With the toggle fully to the Right orientation, Power is applied to both Laser drivers. The Green LED indicator light is now solid on and the Red LED indicator light continues to be on. This is called the "On" position.

For both Laser diodes to fire, The main switch must be in the " On" position and both switches S1 and S2 must be in the on position. This is how I choose to set this unit up.

I wanted the option to have Red, Blue or a Purple beam !! It may be said that there are too many switches. Maybe. Maybe not. I tried to anticipate unit operations and what would be good to incorporate.

This build started in October of 2014. A long time...but...a great deal of planning, designing, machining and hoping the build would ...first work and....secondly verify the concept. Fortunately, the area needed for the upper optical platform elevation matched closely the area needed for the lower component box.

I consider this entire build...experimental ! This concept could possibly be reduced in size or could be incorporated in a standard round / tube geometry . But for now....I am well pleased with the outcome !!

Progress to Date

All components are gathered. See pics. Component assembly to begin shortly. A " Pre-assembly" was done ( See Ortho View pic ). Ready to do the wiring and attach the optics to their mounts. Wish me luck going into the concept verification phase !!! Pass the popcorn and stay tuned for the home stretch.

My goal is a whole lota Purple beauty !!
We will see !!!

CDBEAM
 

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Build pic update #1 !!! :eg: :eg: :eg:

This combining optic set up will work as it is known art and is the standard RGB combining method used in Laser Projectors ! Will it have the apparent luminosity of a 35W LD combination at the single line of 410nm. ????????...that is the big question. Well...stay tuned...we will find out !!!

Combiner Class HH's rule !! CDBEAM

See attached build pics 1~4 5.19.2015

Added more partial assembly pics 5.27.20154
 

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Wow, looks like quite a project! Can't wait to see it when it's done:drool::drool:
Although, to be nit-picky IMO red + blue = magenta:D.


Now I have to go back and finish reading all you wrote:gun:.

P.S. + REP'd you in expectation for when this build will be completed.
 
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Wow, looks like quite a project! Can't wait to see it when it's done:drool::drool:
Although, to be nit-picky IMO red + blue = magenta:D.


Now I have to go back and finish reading all you wrote:gun:.

P.S. + REP'd you in expectation for when this build will be completed.

Hmmmm ??? Magenta you say...That depends on the proportion / ratio between the Red And Blue. Red and Blue are Primary and Color Wheel theory sez that makes the Secondary color of Purple....but....then...we ain't mix'in paint !!!!!

Due the lumonsity of the Red....I would say at the power levels proposed...the output may look too much like Magenta....Dunno..???? The Red may overwhelm the Blue ???? This is just unknown at this time !! We will see soon !!

But remember.....there is twice as many watts of Blue vs. the Red !!! So I am hopeful the output mix will look more like a Purple....with a hint of Red. :undecided::undecided::undecided:

The drivers are from Lazereer....and are adjustable. Even though it would make me sad....the Red output could be lowered to result in a more Purple color.

As Forrest Gump sez....." Life is like'a box of Chocolate's ........
.....Ya just don't know what your gonna get "..... We will know when I fire it up !!


I could however live with Magenta !!!....This would demand a new name though !!!:tinfoil:

......like..."Magenta Malestrom " !!!!:thinking::thinking: Everything needs a good name !!!!!

Well....one thing is certain.....the resulting beam will not be Red or Blue
:crackup::crackup:....and....
Thanx Jander.....as you well know....these are complicated builds.....and.....well....if all goes South....I could always use the build as an expensive nut cracker !!!!:whistle:

CDBEAM
 
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...be equal to a diode or diode combination of 3W x 11.82 or.... 35.46 W of raw output CW power at the 410nm line (Violet/Purple) to generate the same apparent luminosity of the Purple PHaze design.

So two lasers combined at 3W will look like 35.46W at 410nm? Friggin dark magic, dude. I can't believe I subscribed to this witchcraft! :crackup: ;)

Best of luck,
-cutyall
 
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So two lasers combined at 3W will look like 35.46W at 410nm? Friggin dark magic, dude. I can't believe I subscribed to this witchcraft! :crackup: ;)

Best of luck,
-cutyall

Well...to answer your question....a definite....maybe !!

Perhaps some of the LPF elders could weigh in here ???? It is possible I am FOS here !!!

We will find out.....but then....perceived luminosity is a subjective thing !!!

When complete, I will toggle between the Blue. Red and Blue+Red and report here as to my subjective observation. I cannot compare the perceived luminosity between the Blue +Red vs. 410nm.

But....we know it takes a great deal of mW (W) for the 410 nm line to have apparent brightness !!

I believe Jander built a dual 410 LD HH....and IIRC....it weighed in at 1.4W

Anyway....we will see :eg::eg::eg:

CDBEAM


35W @ 410 nm
 
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HHmmmm.....I have been inspired by Jander's dual 410nm diode Combiner Class called the "Belphegor."...see http://laserpointerforums.com/f38/dual-411nm-1335mw-2d-mag-pbs-cube-newport-mounts-89822.html.

To collapse the " Purple pHaze" concept/model of a Red + Blue....into a traditional Hand Held....we should consider these two diodes;

A single mode 170mW Red Optnex HL63133DG combined with a Blue 2W M140
Surly, the Red HL 63133DG will not need any corrective optics other than the single standard collimation lens....and the M140 has fairly tight divergence with the glass O-Like lens.

Using these two diodes, in the Jander's "Belphogor" teaching.....we may
be able to obtain some variation within the Purple color arena ????

Just replace the PBS cube with a Dichroic Filter-mirror......just thinking !!!
Yes....a lot of Blue....but....maybe enough red to give us a nice Purple ??....or Violet.....SOoooooo...." Violet Vaper " ??:san::san::san:

...the "Combiner Class" rules !!!
 
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I don't know what you said but I like it;)

I want to cheat the " Gods of Perception and Luminosity " !!! It is as simple as that....and this Combiner Class design may do that !!!

Pman...what all my blah,blah boils down to is this...IF...my theory is correct...our eye's will receive Red and Blue light...our brain will mix the two colors....and we will have the perception that beam is purple.

Hopefully...This Purple beam will appear bright... very bright beam for Purple.....and it will appear very bright....for our eyes are many, many times more sensitive to Red and Blue light than Purple light !!!

Since Purple...around the 410nm line ...by itself.... has much less luminosity to our eye's ....for any given power level ....But ...When we use the mix of Red and Blue diodes, this color mix will hopefully overcome this....and we will " Cheat the God's ".. :na: and...then...this Purple beam ....that our brain constructs....is in reality just a mix of Red and Blue....and being Red and Blue....the beam will appear much, much brighter.

The concept of RGB color mixing has been done before !! Years ago...Multimode did RGB with a beautiful deign....See here.....http://laserpointerforums.com/f40/rgb-hand-held-laser-77311.html WOW....Still an epic and ground breaking design....and....has been an inspiration for many years for me !!!

The "Purple pHaze" has the addition of system monitoring and optical correction has not been done before.

My hope is that the " Purple pHaze " will pave the way for future improved Combiner Class design's !!.... We will see !!!

CDBEAM
 
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Pman

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Now that was easily understood. It's a very interesting concept. From what I remember it always seemed so difficult to get a perfect beam match so your eyes wouldn't see glimpses of the original separate colors due to alignment and beam profiles. I'll take a look at that link

Edit:
I read through the first post of that epic build and the last thing I see is it running at 12%. Was it completey finished? It seemed as though the entire build was supposed to be shown in that post so I didn't read all the other pages. Appears to have been a staggering amount of hours in that project. Even if I had the know how and tools I couldnt see myself starting that level of build mainly because I wouldn't have the patience. I'm the kind of person that would be unable to sleep until I completed it. If i start something I can't stop until it's done which can be a good or bad trait depending on circumstance.
However, I absolutely am amazed at anyone who would be this dedicated. I greatly appreciate talent in most forms.
I am good at figuring out how to fix things, finding solutions others don't see and having the drive to see it through BUT I wouldn't start a project that I know would consume me. It's why I figure out the small fun little stuff and am as much amazed at these "heavy" kinds of projects in theory as I am in the individual who would choose to tackle it.
I may own and have built a ridiculous # of units but they seem like a joke in comparison to projects like this. We all have our place though and I think I've helped out where I could with some fun tutorials.
Awaiting more thread magic;)
 
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Pman....as to beam-on-beam alignment.....well....that is always a problem...even if the alignment is done very well....we will have the problem of some tiny over lap !!

No two beam propagations are ever complete alike....even in like colors....and it is as you noted....when using different colors....that is when it is noticeable !!

And, as you know, the high power Red's have been a bitch to optically correct...much more so than the Blue's !! But, be that as it is....the main cross section of these combined beams should appear as some hue of Purple. And this is especially due the fact that both beams are optically corrected...then combined.

As to the topic of long projects....well...yes....they take a long-term dedication....but....with me....I focus in burst's....as spare time/money permits !! :eg:

Thanx for your interest !!! Stay tuned for more Violet Vodoo !!

Added note....Hey....new name thought...." Violet Vodoo " hahahahaha

CDBEAM
 
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Build Picture update #2

Slow but steady progress !! Mounted the Lazereer drivers to the sub assembly driver mount plate. As you can see....I am a big fan of designing things so they can be taken apart in the future for repair or modification.

This approach sometimes requires a little more space and planning....but...if a future repair or mod is needed....then bolt-on assemblies and sub assemblies are the way to go.

The drivers are mounted to the Ally plate with Artic epoxy and will be set with the new Lazereer X-Load unit I just received from Angelos. ( See pic ) Beautiful work from Lazereer..as usual !!! :drool::drool::drool:

Sorry for the slow pace....but...I have been very busy with a gazillion Spring
" Honey Doo " items....and....well....you know !!!

Because of all the extra bells'n whistles that this build has.....good wiring organization is demanded.:san:

Note: Also added four (4) more pics to "Build update #1" showing some build progress.

Stay tuned on this channel !!:pop:......" First Light " soon !!!!

Combiner Class HH's rule !! CDBEAM
 

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Pman

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Seems so odd that someone with your talent can show up and have a "class 2" laser rating lol
 
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Seems so odd that someone with your talent can show up and have a "class 2" laser rating lol

MMMMMmmmmm ???? Actually....I have very little ...if any Class
:barf::barf::barf::barf::whistle::whistle:

However.......The "Combine Class " rules !!!
 
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WOW Bob this is coming out amazing!:bowdown:

Any more progress.?

You have some of the most unique designs ever and i love it. True one-off. I bet with that solid copper plate it will run for a while. its like a portable lab unit.:D.


Keep up the outstanding work.!

Any Action shots yet.?

:beer:
 




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