CR-599 Dye Laser!

Haven't had the money to do anything interesting with lasers recently, so I've concentrating on my Biolab.

There's a skip I generally trawl for lab gear, and I found this awesome laser + dye pump. A quick forum search turned up nothing.

It's not in great shape, but all the optics are intact.

Does anyone have any experience with dye lasers? I'll need to save up a fair amount for a light pump and dye etc.

Well, congrats on a rare find!

If it's got a pump most likely it's suitable for CW operation.

I know a few things:

The dye is running VERY fast- close to 70 PSI pressure at the pump. This is needed to avoid the buildup of 'sta'e dye (search triplet state quenching on google)

You will need several WATTS of pump power to get the dye to lase. This may come in the form of a multi-watt argon, however, Rhodamine B and 6G (two most popular dyes) have better absorbancy at 532nm. Besides, 532nm is much more efficient, and relatively cheaper.

Also- could we have some photos?

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.
I smashed my camera (through a silicon skin and a hardcase!) last week, but I'll upload photos as soon as I get it back next week, by which time I'll have cleaned it.

The pump goes up to 100 psi, but I had suspect it would run much lower. 70 is pretty high.

It really is beautiful, but my lab 532 is only outputting 100mw, and my 405s are only in the hundreds of ma range.

If anyone better equipped and experienced than I in Ireland would like borrow it for a little while after I clean it, just mention it here.

100psi isn't high at all- it has to get the dye out of there as fast as possible.

Considering that it is running at 100psi, you may be looking at up to at least 5W of 532nm before it actually becomes lasing.

Sorry to hear about your camera. How did that happen?

Uhm, you probably need some decent Ar-Kr laser, for pump that cavity ..... on the document that you linked, there's a table with some of the output powers for different dyes, and the related pumping powers requireds .....

...Sorry to hear about your camera..."

Click to expand...

Thanks. In fairness, I shouldn't bring it with me on Batmaning practice.

...and the related pumping powers...

Click to expand...

Yep. 2.5 W UV is somewhat achievable. The rest will be beyond spending power for a long while.

Looks like this will be out of my reach until I'm a little richer.
I meant what I said about anybody properly equipeed in Ireland who'd like to borrow this baby. It's lovely on my shelf, but I'd rather know someone is learning from it.

The pump wavelength will depend on the dye used. For example, Rhodamine 6G's absorbancy is centred on 530nm or thereabouts.

Rhodamine 6G and B are the most common dyes available. Finding eye protection for 560-610 and 532nm will be difficult, though.

I also have some readng material for you:

http://192.197.62.35/courses/phtn1400/Coherent599DyeSOP.pdf

http://192.197.62.35/courses/phtn1400/Coherent599DyeAlignmentProcedure.pdf