What to split the beam of a ML Argon with?

LtKernelPanic · Jul 28, 2011

Topic pretty much says it all. I bought a nice glass equilateral prism but it doesn't split the beam unless I had it orientated wrong. I'd like to be able to do something like in the pics in these threads:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/ml-argon-w-coherent-optic-50686.html

http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/ml-argon-w-coherent-optic-50686.html#post696434

I see Greenmechanic linked to one mirror that looks like it'd work nicely but was wondering if there was any other recommendations? I'd prefer US based sellers so I don't have to wait a month for stuff to arrive.

Jacob32123 · Jul 28, 2011

Dosent he use a diffraction grating?

bobhaha · Jul 28, 2011

You can use a cut out piece of a CD or DVD disc does a similar thing.

But this is what he actually used...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridged_mirror

I don't know of any sources tho..

daguin · Jul 28, 2011

Keep your eyes open for a "diffraction mirror"

Peace,
dave

LtKernelPanic · Jul 28, 2011

Thanks guys. The mirror GM linked to appears to be a diffraction mirror so now I know what to look for. Too bad the seller doesn't have anymore of those. I forgot to mention that I picked up two diffraction gratings in the slide type holders but I didn't realize they were dual axis gratings so instead of splitting the beam into individual lines that are easily visible it makes a pattern of dots with the lines barely visible.

Last night I fired it up to try the prism again and got some decent video of it bouncing off a CD. BTW use an old CD because the beam left a mark on the disc I used. Once I get a mirror I'll get my good DV cam out and post the results in the multimedia forum.

If anyone knows of a source for a mirror that won't break the bank I'm all ears because in my search for one last night I was pulling up blanks with every search. Overseas sellers would be fine too since I can't seem to find anything ATM. I might ask over in the optics forum too t see if any of the knowledgeable folks there who may not visit this forum have any suggestions.

daguin · Jul 28, 2011

The cheapest one I found right now is $75!

Be patient and you can get them for less

Peace,
dave

hakzaw1 · Jul 28, 2011

LtKernelPanic said:
Thanks guys. The mirror GM linked to appears to be a diffraction mirror so now I know what to look for. Too bad the seller doesn't have anymore of those. I forgot to mention that I picked up two diffraction gratings in the slide type holders but I didn't realize they were dual axis gratings so instead of splitting the beam into individual lines that are easily visible it makes a pattern of dots with the lines barely visible.

Last night I fired it up to try the prism again and got some decent video of it bouncing off a CD. BTW use an old CD because the beam left a mark on the disc I used. Once I get a mirror I'll get my good DV cam out and post the results in the multimedia forum.

If anyone knows of a source for a mirror that won't break the bank I'm all ears because in my search for one last night I was pulling up blanks with every search. Overseas sellers would be fine too since I can't seem to find anything ATM. I might ask over in the optics forum too t see if any of the knowledgeable folks there who may not visit this forum have any suggestions.

PM me I have one exactly the same as GM used in those pics of the Argon ML he got from me. They are very delicate so keep it very clean - it cannot be cleaned once you get anything on it. $40. to USA shipped free. I have 2 or 3 to part with. I think I got all the guy had left- Coherant prolly wants several hundred for these.

hak

LtKernelPanic · Jul 29, 2011

Hakzaw-

I'll be PMing you shortly.

daguin said:
The cheapest one I found right now is $75!

Be patient and you can get them for less

Peace,
dave

You're right. One did

I did want to give you a big :thanks: for the deal on the PS. I was really worried that the head was toast as well. I have to admit I got that sick feeling again when it didn't fire off the working supply before noticing my little "whoops!" And man you weren't kidding that those gold brick style supplies weigh a ton. I think it weighs more than the old one and head combined.

I won't admit thinking that it had been damaged and really was dead when later that night it didn't fire. Turns out I didn't turn the key quite all the way. Now the "firing procedure" is PS on, power to idle, tube current on, turn key until it stops. Hasn't failed me yet.

LSRFAQ · Aug 1, 2011

Equilaterals don't work well for lasers, you want Littrow prisms or for those spectacular photos.

You can sometimes stack prisms in series, but again, best done with Littrows.

A second choice is a piece of diffraction grating, I like 400 line per inch and 2400 line per inch gratings for photos. The low line count will have just a few beam orders, and the high line count just fills the screen with beams.

Places like Edmund Industrial Optics and Anchor Optics sell cheap diff grating slides.

Steve

LtKernelPanic · Aug 4, 2011

Hey Hak the package arrived in one piece a little while ago. I loved how the mirror was packaged. I'm not going to remove it from its package until I go dig out my darkroom gloves to keep it clean. I have a fog machine on the way from amazon that should be here tomorrow (love my prime membership!) which should make capturing the beams easier. This is my weekend off so I should be able to get some pics and videos. That is if I can get my work room cleaned up after 3+" inches of rain ij just onder 45 minutes managed to flood it slightly a couple weeks ago.

hakzaw1 · Aug 12, 2011

YEP - I scored a big bag of the orange mini highlighters just to remove the wicks to make orange flouresent concentrate dye and as I hate to throw away something that may be useful I kept them and the are perfect for shipping diodes-smd driverboards and for you the Coherant silicon optic fit right in there-- btw the bag of ~30+ highlighters was only 1$ at a charity thrift shop... win/wn/win

hak spca thrift shop volunteer

hakzaw1 · Aug 26, 2011

Glad you liked the silicon Coherant optic- I sold one at the SELEM event and many saw how well it worked with the many ML gas lasers at the meet. I still have one left to sell. PM me if you want it- afaik there are no others available(at that price) and nothing works as well as these.

I will be posting some new pics soon. Its time for my monthly argon burns.

GooeyGus · Aug 27, 2011

I would love to get myself a nice diffraction optic like that. I use cd's for low power stuff.

I think in this picture we actually used an open hard disk drive, or something similar. It was able to take all the power without melting... Probably only a couple watts in this picture. Laser is my sp168

I'm the idiot tasting the beam! Haha

Bluefan · Aug 27, 2011

I'd say safe would be different, but the big question is: How did it taste? (does the wavelength matter in that?)

hakzaw1 · Aug 29, 2011

GooeyGus said:
I would love to get myself a nice diffraction optic like that. I use cd's for low power stuff.

I think in this picture we actually used an open hard disk drive, or something similar. It was able to take all the power without melting... Probably only a couple watts in this picture. Laser is my sp168

I'm the idiot tasting the beam! Haha

^^^^^ THIS is the photo that gave me my first bout with ML fever-(?2009?) thanks for letting me see it again, Gus-- +1 to you sir! I still have one Coherant silicone grat left PM me and we will haggle-- hak lol

I still have mine and traded my other one to GreenMechanic who first found those grates.. mine is about to join a LOC DYI lab to make 7 color Lumia.
see the vids on SELEM V at PL or YT. His (Randy) also has also a 405 not sure of the mW. built by DZ. iirc its a 2114 ml40 like mine. i get six lines @ 145mW. Gets hot so I like about 50% or less.

mfo · Aug 30, 2011

Holy shit! Gus, where have you been bro? You haven't posted in like forever.

What to split the beam of a ML Argon with?

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