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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Some questions about getting into gas lasers

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Oct 18, 2013
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First of all, sorry if this has been asked before, but I can't get the forum search to work (Pretty sure its my internet).

I know you can get some decent deals on ebay, but what if I wanted to buy one brand new? What are some websites that sell gas lasers new?

Also how much do they cost with a PSU and all the accessories? I'm curious about getting a HeNe red, not to particular about the output power.

I just really want one to take off the outer casing and see that glorious HeNe tube glowing red :3 My school had one once for physics class that was in a clear acrylic case and ever since I saw that I've wanted one of my own.

What does one need to properly operate a HeNe laser? I know you need the laser head which houses the tube itself, and a power supply that outputs what the head requires, but is there anything I'm missing?
 





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Welcome to Gas Lasers.

I am a laser enthusiast and favor gas lasers. There are others on this forum favoring gas lasers, too. You’ll learn their names if you stick around for any period of time.

New gas lasers are big dollars. Some of the 1mW Red HeNes used in barcode readers may still be available for $300-500. But for the most part, gas lasers start at 4 figures and many go to 5 or more. HeCd (Helium Cadmium) for example are/were >$10,000 new. Most of the 10mW HeNe lasers available, today, are $1200 or more.

Since most of these tubes have lives of 10,000 hours or more, buying them used isn’t all that bad way to go.

I think many will agree that eBay is a likely source, but honesty and getting something that works are the biggest risks.

Alternatively, you can buy used from someone with a bit more credibility and/or trust. The Buy/Sell/Trade section of this forum frequently has gas lasers for sale. And if you buy from someone who appears respected in the community, you can feel confident you will get an honest deal.

Cooling is a significant dividing line between larger and smaller gas lasers. Those that are air cooled and those water cooled. As you might imagine, the larger ones and those at really high output power are those in need of water to cool. Many of the air cooled ones have a fan. But some, and most of the HeNes are in this category, run cool enough that not even a fan is needed.

For HeNes there are really only two parts: the laser head (containing the tube, or even a bare tube) and the PSU or Power Supply Unit.

Pulling a tube from the head, so we can enjoy the beautiful plasma is among the coolest things about HeNe lasers. The voltages are “relatively” safe, compared to other lasers. Depending on the size of the HeNe laser, voltages run from 1250 VDC up to 6kV. The currents are low enough that unless you’re on a pacemaker or have a heart condition, you’ll likely survive a zap from the PSU. So be careful with bare tubes.

HeCds, in contrast, operate at even higher voltages and can really impart some damage.

If you are really set on buying a new HeNe gas laser, try some of these companies:

Newport Corporation
Coherent Lasers
JDS Uniphase Corporation - Optical Products

Be warned, there is no shortage of people trying to make a buck and sell you a laser at full retail. And don't pay more than $200 for a used HeNe laser under 10mW.
 
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Joined
Oct 18, 2013
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Thanks for the info. :D

Had no idea new HeNe lasers were so expensive. Wonder why though. The materials used aren't uncommon...must be the complexity of assembly.

I think I'll stick with ebay for now then. Good place to get started. In previous lookings around I found a 10 mW head in working condition for around 80$ and a matching PSU for around 40$. :3

And don't worry about me an electricity. Its a wild beast and I treat it as such.
 
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If you buy more than a few used HeNe laser heads, you'll learn some things fast.

For one, this purported 10mW HeNe: how do we know it's 10mW?
Was it measured?
If not, just because there is a sticker on it that says "not to exceed 10mW" doesn't mean it even puts out 1mW anymore.

Be cautious, ask questions, and you'll do just fine. :)

Good luck on your journey.
 
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So are Co2 lasers more complex? I know they need water cooling, but otherwise is it the same as HeNe and just hook up a PSU?
 
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First of all, sorry if this has been asked before, but I can't get the forum search to work (Pretty sure its my internet).

I know you can get some decent deals on ebay, but what if I wanted to buy one brand new? What are some websites that sell gas lasers new?

Also how much do they cost with a PSU and all the accessories? I'm curious about getting a HeNe red, not to particular about the output power.

I just really want one to take off the outer casing and see that glorious HeNe tube glowing red :3 My school had one once for physics class that was in a clear acrylic case and ever since I saw that I've wanted one of my own.

What does one need to properly operate a HeNe laser? I know you need the laser head which houses the tube itself, and a power supply that outputs what the head requires, but is there anything I'm missing?

meredith instruments has a NEW hene tube - Green on ebay that you can probably get for a lot less than they are asking. And lots less than listed above. (Red Plasma - Green beam)

New 543nm Green Helium Neon Laser Tube HeNe Melles Griot JDSU Lab Light Physics | eBay

Sam Goldwasser (Laser Sam) has NEW power supplies that work with it for the $50-100 range. You would then need to wire it and get a 12 wall brick to run the power supply (usually about $5-10)

Sam's Classified Page

So for a lot less than above you could have a NEW system.

Please get something like this before you even consider a CO2 laser, we don't want to see you burn the house down, or go blind.
 
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I want it noted I was never going to buy a Co2 laser before I buy a HeNe :p I just figured I would ask while I'm at it.
 
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Oh yeah I've wanted an Argon ever since I saw StyroPyro's video of his. :3 Those are a lot more expensive though.

Never heard of a mixed gas laser before. Looked it up on the youtube and it appears to be a laser that produces a blue-white beam with a wide spectrum of wavelengths..?

By the time I have a job to afford all these lasers I'll have enough to set up a few wind turbines as auxiliary power XD
 
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Say goodbye to your paychecks :)

Mixed gas is a laser with argon and krypton. The argon provides the blue to green, whereas the krypton, the green to red. Thus you get white output.

It's a bit off white as the green and blue from the argon overpowers the krypton, but it's what they had 20-30 years ago when they wanted white light for laser shows ;)
 
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I can't remember where I read it but going buy the "max" rated power on a HeNe's warning sticker is pretty much useless since that value is typically twice the tube's rated power



So are Co2 lasers more complex? I know they need water cooling, but otherwise is it the same as HeNe and just hook up a PSU?

C02 lasers are infinitely more dangerous namely because they lase at 10.6um (10600nm) which is completely invisible to the the human eye. They're not for a first time gas laser owner because a "low power" tube is typically 10-15W but to answer your question they're more or less the same as HeNe tubes when it comes to hookups. Sometimes the PSUs are a bit more complex but you'll have your HV leads to the tube as well as the tubing going to your circulator pump and to the coolant reservoir and/or radiator.


If you want to get started with gas lasers you can't go wrong with a basic red (or green if you can fid a good price) setup and go from there.
 
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Yeah I picked up a working HeNe and PSU off of ebay for $40 shipped, a nice little red HeNe. Just get a wall wart (search 110V to 12V adapter) and hotwire to your PSU, unless your PSU directly goes to your wall outlet.

My first HeNe survived for a grand total of two days in it's sleek black metal housing :p it has a nice glow now :san:

Oh and, my profile pic to the left of this text shows a bare tube green HeNe, in case you happen to like the glow of ionized gas :D
 
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Its a weird sort of thing with HeNe lasers. You can get diode lasers of the same power for far cheaper (though diodes only come in certain wavelengths, and then theres DPSS..) but theres just something about seeing the tube and the process that actually creates the laser light. Not that theres anything wrong with diode, but from a hardware geek's point of view its just a small cylinder soldered to a circuit board.

:3
 
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Okay so I have to ask hwang, why did your first HeNe only last 2 days? (That way I know what not to do :p )

Also, how do green HeNe lasers produce green light if the tube plasma is still red?
 
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Hmm looking at diagrams on the internet, I wonder if someone had access to lots of glass tubing, glass working tools, optics, access to Helium and Neon gasses, various gas equipment, and a high voltage source like a neon sign transformer could construct a crude HeNe laser.

It might sound like a lot of stuff needed but I know where to get all of the required components for a price that wouldn't be too impossible. I'm even fortunate enough to be withing driving distance of a gas processing plant that sells inert gasses....
 




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