Why gas lasers?

• Mar 20, 2010

• #1

AndyR

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I'm sorry if this has been answered before (I couldnt find it :yabbem or if this is a noob-ish question, but why gas lasers? I see low output (5 mW-30mW) gas lasers running up to 10-20x the price of their diode counterparts, not to mention the size needed for cooling / tube vs. a small pointer. Is it the color? Something else that makes it unique?

Again, sorry if this is obvious but I can't seem to find the reason.

 

• Mar 20, 2010

• #2

billg519

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Gas lasers offer stunning color choices and beam qualities that diode lasers can't yet produce. Gas laser stabilty is better than diode or dpss. My multiline argon also keeps my basement warm. As far as color goes, here's an example :



Gas lasers also reach the very high power levels required for industrial processes like cutting and welding, with CO2 gas lasers in the multi-kilowatt range. Diode arrays have reached this power level, but the optics for a diode array require the pentagon's budget. Many gas lasers, even argons, can exceed 1W, many members here own high power gas lasers that can cut and burn.

 

Last edited: Mar 20, 2010

• Mar 21, 2010

• #3

AndyR

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:thanks: for the great response! I see what you mean by stunning color choices, the video you posted was amazing

 

• Mar 21, 2010

• #4

KiLLrB

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Ever seen the glow from a gas laser tube? Its awesome. I guess for me its just seeing the laser work and the beam being made.

heres a pic of one of my bare tubes

 

• Mar 21, 2010

• #5

photonaholic

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Son, we was using gas lasers before most of the folks on this here world wide intraweb was even born......

 

• Mar 21, 2010

• #6

daguin

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photonaholic said:

Son, we was using gas lasers before most of the folks on this here world wide intraweb was even born......

Click to expand...

Some of them are still runing

Peace,
dave

 

• Mar 21, 2010

• #7

Elektrotechniker

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You guys think i can find an argon system at a greek hospital or are they too rare? Where do they usually use them? Old hospitals or in new ones as well?

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #8

Scotty 757

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I would buy a gas laser just because it is different and very intresting.

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #9

Greenmechanic

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Here's a few more pictures of some of my He-Ne's
Maybe you will "Get the Picture" of the attraction of gas lasers.

15mW 632.8 He-Ne, bottom, right vs. 33mW 650nm Diode, top, right. Notice the edges of the beams on the reflection.

They are big and ugly beasts. They can, and often will, shock the piss out of you. They demand your respect.

This is a "driver" for one. Actually a universal, variable, hi-voltage PSU. These are "real" machines and they let you know it. Ever been "bit" by 4KV@200mA before? If you ever want to kill a horse....... never mind. J/K:crackup:

 

Last edited: Mar 22, 2010

• Mar 22, 2010

• #10

Hemlock_Mike

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Gas lasers are old -- like me ----

Clasical Gassss !!!

CO2 lasers are still used in industry for cutting and etching

Gas still has a place.

HMike

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #11

KiLLrB

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@ greenmechanic: no one told me these things held a charge. The first time I unplugged the alden connectors and brushed across the prongs BZZZzzzzzttzzxxxxxccxxx! owwwwwww SH*T!!! god all I can say is i hope i never come in contact with the PSU side lol.

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #12

S

Solonar

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KiLLrB said:

@ greenmechanic: no one told me these things held a charge. The first time I unplugged the alden connectors and brushed across the prongs BZZZzzzzzttzzxxxxxccxxx! owwwwwww SH*T!!! god all I can say is i hope i never come in contact with the PSU side lol.

Click to expand...

Used to get hit by the psu side dozens of times each day. The burn-in racks used to have 100's of exposed anodes. After a while you get used to it. After a year of that, I was probably immune to a taser.:crackup:

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #13

photonaholic

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So if Argon is not a gas, then what is it?

If carbon dioxide is not a gas, then what is it?

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #14

KiLLrB

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photonaholic said:

So if Argon is not a gas, then what is it?

If carbon dioxide is not a gas, then what is it?

Click to expand...

They are gas lasers to me because they incorperate gas to produce a beam.

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #15

photonaholic

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so that's why my dry ice laser and liquid argon don't work??

 

• Mar 22, 2010

• #16

KiLLrB

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photonaholic said:

so that's why my dry ice laser and liquid argon don't work??

Click to expand...

:crackup::crackup: