Omnichrome Splitter Questions

I have an Omnichrome 80 multiline Argon laser that originally had an external beamsplitter. Depending on the orientation, the blue and green components were separated by this cube splitter, but I've lost the cube and I'm not sure what type of cube it was...anyone have any input for this old timer? Is there an adjustment, other than on the power supply, that can beef up the output? The laser was bought in the 80s with a supposed power output of 250mw, but I can't get it to even begin to warm up a piece of black tape. I know Argons arent terribly efficient, but this draws 1600w @120 VAC and I would think it would have more output. I'm not sure what type of optics the unit has as I've never taken it apart other than to fix the fuse holder on the power supply. Any and all insight is appreciated!

FB

Flashback said:

I have an Omnichrome 80 multiline Argon laser that originally had an external beamsplitter. Depending on the orientation, the blue and green components were separated by this cube splitter, but I've lost the cube and I'm not sure what type of cube it was...anyone have any input for this old timer? Is there an adjustment, other than on the power supply, that can beef up the output? The laser was bought in the 80s with a supposed power output of 250mw, but I can't get it to even begin to warm up a piece of black tape. I know Argons arent terribly efficient, but this draws 1600w @120 VAC and I would think it would have more output. I'm not sure what type of optics the unit has as I've never taken it apart other than to fix the fuse holder on the power supply. Any and all insight is appreciated!

FB

Click to expand...

Argons are very efficient...room heaters.

I believe any beam splitter should separate the beams because the different wavelengths refract differently. As far as the output goes you will need a laser power meter to make any sort of accurate determination. Usually you can just ship the laser to a member with an LPM but thats a bit more difficult when the laser is an argon unfortunately. :cryyy:

What tube current are you running?

Have you measured the 1.6kW, or are you reading a sticker?

The only way you'd ever get 250mW out of a 120V argon is when it's brand new.

The beamsplitter cube on a ALC is a sampler for light mode. If its not there, the tube usually shoots to the upper current limit, no matter what. There was never a standard color splitter cube installed, its the light pickoff that looks like a beamsplitter cube.

This leaves six strong possibilities:

(short mean explanation, I dont have time to type this all out!!)

Dirty internal optics
Misaligned mirror adjustment screws (most likely)
Laser is locked in current mode
Single line optics or intracavity line selector prism
Dying tube
External remote not in use (rarely even hooked up inside the power supply, usually not used)

have you read through Sam's Laser FAQ Ion chapter, or do I need to copy and paste it here? I'd hate to do that, I wrote most of it.

Which power supply do you have gold box, ALC scientific, or Omnichrome?

Unless you have a 60B, you know you can carefully plug a voltmeter into the red and black jacks and press the button on the side of the head for a current reading? (note, do not cross connect a current jack to a lightmeter jack with the meter, can result in Kaboom)

PS, I can probably find you a new light sampler and photocell for dirt cheap. I used to have lots of them.

Steve