Spectra Physics 2020-5

I just got what I think was the deal of the century on a Spectra Physics 2020-5 Argon/Krypton laser. This thing has a huge 50" long head that weighs over 200lbs and the power supply for it is 18wx26lx19h and it weighs within 10lbs of the head. I got it off of ebay here: SPECTRA PHYSICS 2020-05 ARGON ION 15W LASER WITH POWER SUPPLY | eBay
I made an offer of 175.00 and they accepted. It is dusty on the outside but with the cover off it looks new. I dont think it has many hours on it either, there is a QC sticker on the top at the front and I am pretty sure it is from the original purchase. The laser was made in 1990. This is my first step up from diode lasers, wow, what a step up. Now I am looking at a 3phase rotary setup.

pfffty and I thought my 160mw argon off daguin was a good score.

I hope it works for you - when you get it up and running, we'd all like the see the obligatory beam shots and it shooting a hole in a 4x2 (forget the matches)

Good luck getting the 3 phase working to power it.

That's a great deal for that laser if the tube is gas intact. That laser will need a LOT of power so you'll need a pretty big phase converter (probably at least 10HP) if you plan on running it at home at all.

I seriously hope I can run this at home, I dont think I could handle it being a "portable" laser This is 15W and it has 12 different optics for the one end, and it shoots a beam both ways. I will just run it during the day so the neighbors dont notice their lights go dim.

I meant "at home" vs running it at like a warehouse or other commercial/industrial building for access to full 3phase power.

so you went and got that one? been looking at it for a while, dreaming....
may the great god photon aid you in lighting it up!

I know, I was playing around. I will figure something out on the 3phase. The laser has been "demilled" by cutting the cord off, so I need to fix a couple things. The power supply does not have the key either so I will either replace it with a new tumbler or switch. So I have plenty of time before this beast will be doing anything.

Look up the member "LSRFAQ" if you have trouble with the wiring diagrams found on the FAQ.

Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety

He is one of the several authors.

Anyone know where I can get a pdf of the manual for this laser? I have looked all over the net.

LSRFAQ will probably have one or be able to steer you in the right direction. Steve is a very knowledgable fellow when it comes to large frame ion lasers; or ions in general for that matter

Edit: bloody iPad!

Thanks, will try

wby300 said:

Thanks, will try

Click to expand...

2020s are problematic. You need to get a PDF of the manual from SP.

It tells you very little you that you cannot otherwise learn from ANY SP or Coherent full scientific ION manual.

Take the top cover off and shoot me a pic of the rear resonator mirror mount.
From the top looking down and from the rear.

The rear optics mount has a twist off cover. Take the cover off before the photo.

It also looks like you have a etalon heater installed, and possibly a etalon.

I need to see if you have Z-lock installed on your rear mirror, as I see no Z-lock controller in the auction.

Dont panic when you read that.

I can tell you a lot from that.

Steve

I am unsure what I need to unscrew, is it the big nut on the end of the tube?
Let me know, also, I have looked everywhere for a manual and cannot find one.

See attached picture

Steve

Here are the pics you wanted.

rutt roh...

Eh, Houston.... We might have a problem.


There are four, maybe five ways to solve this problem.

Get the laser lasing.

Remove the optic from the mount, call SP with the part number, but you will loose cavity alignment if you do that.

Aim a known wavelength all lines Argon laser at the optic.
Measure the transmission of the all lines beam with a grating, indirect eyeball, and/or power meter.

Use a spectrophotometer,

The near incidence optics test (NIO) tm
NIO is my emergency test. Its NOT foolproof.
It is not in the FAQ for a reason.

You might have a wavelength selective rear mirror from looking at the pics, either 488 nm only or UV only. I say "Might" as the reflectivity of rear cavity mirrors that are light yellow/straw color like that causes doubts in my mind that you have a all lines reflector. The color of the reflection from a dielectric mirror like that shifts as the cosine of the angle of the light hitting it.

Just looking at a photo however, has a uncertainty about it.

So the NIO test is to take a flashlight, preferably with a old tungsten, not LED bulb.Aim the flashlight at the mirror and reflect the beam from the mirror back into the flashlight, now hold the flashlight and mirror against a piece of white paper, and see what color the reflected spot is, while keeping the mirror face as perpendicular to the flashlight as possible. It is ok, once you learn what your doing, to aim the beam just past the top of the flashlight on a wall far away.

Rough guide, still less then 70% certainty, but still better then my guessing you have a UV optics set.

Pale blue spot, 488 only mirror. Blue green spot, all lines optic. Deep purple, 457 only mirror. Pale Yellowish, faint spot with white tinges, UV mirror, no visible lasing.

Again, this is only a rough guide and one of the four other tests must be applied.

The setting of the calibration knob for the light sensor, in the pics, is not encouraging. Its on the UV-Deep violet setting.

Before you cheer and say, Ok, I've got a UV laser, cool, the tube runs at least 3 times harder to make UV. You also then need a lot of skill to find lasing.

Do not dispair, 15 mm Argon optics sets are all over the place. I probably have 25 sets myself.

PS, this is a 5 watt laser, most likely, the danger sticker power is 2-3x the rated power.

PS PS, with the covers off, this thing can easily kill/mame you. Within certain parts of the head, there is up to 600VDC when not lit, and 260 VDC when lit. The ignite pulse alone can ruin a finger, or worse. It will set fire to certain wall materials, you need a beam stop of brick, anodized aluminum, or steel. The scatter off the beamstop is a eye hazard unless you take certain steps.

Screwdrivers and allen wrenches get blown apart if you stick them in the wrong place.

I tell students that this is a rattlesnake that does not rattle, bites for no reason, and moves at the speed of light. It commands respect. Yet people have handled them safely for years with a low incident rate.

The UV when lasing, UV, does not make it through your cornea very well. At least until the cornea fails from a high power direct hit.

When lasing a Argon on UV, wear UV safety goggles or polycarbonate safety glasses. When lasing this class of laser, goggles are a requirement unless the beam is contained by other means.

Friends do not let friends drive BIG ion lasers for the first time alone.

I'm assuming your a adult.

Got it?

Steve