Early Laser Pointing Device

• Jul 4, 2010

• #1

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Eidetic

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Here's a pic I found in the October 1967 issue of Laser Focus, of a very early laser pointer. It was previously argued that a true laser pointer was cordless, which I still question, but this one fits the bill.

 

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Last edited: Jul 5, 2010

• Jul 4, 2010

• #2

Prototype

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Awesome. I want one, wonder how much one would cost now, if there are even any still in existence. It's crazy how far we've come from such a device, a few milliwatts of red light in a handheld then to over 900mW of green light in a handheld, truly incredible. Thanks for sharing.

 

• Jul 4, 2010

• #3

Trevor

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Funny how it's proposed that it should be used to signal pilots by shining it in their cockpit.

-Trevor

 

• Jul 4, 2010

• #4

electron

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He's going to get into so much trouble "signaling" the pilot.

 

• Jul 4, 2010

• #5

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In light of the past month's developments, I couldn't help posting when I came across it this morning. A mighty 0.5mW I'm sure! I wonder if the guy in the picture, now probably in his 70s, has any idea how much laser power he can fit now into his "gun"?

 

• Jan 18, 2011

• #6

jarrod694

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electron said:

He's going to get into so much trouble "signaling" the pilot.

Click to expand...

In light of what Prototype said earlier, your comment gives an example of how "far" we've come. Quite frankly, I had hoped for something better:can:

 

Last edited: Jan 18, 2011

• Jan 18, 2011

• #7

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joeyss

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How does that divergence compare to red key chain lasers today? It seems a bit better or is it just me?

Look at this http://books.google.com/books?id=My...A62#v=onepage&q=popular science laser&f=false

popular science article from 1964 on building a RUBY laser.

 

Last edited: Jan 18, 2011

• Jan 18, 2011

• #8

LORDJET

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Wow, thanks for posting that Joeyss. That REALLY is old school!! That totally takes me back to when I first got interested in lasers. Although I have never seen that particular story before in Popular Science, It is very similar to the ones I would read, digest, and completely rip apart, wanting to learn all I could about the new light fantastic!!:drool:

 

• Jan 18, 2011

• #9

Ash

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Well. Since we are posting old 1960's articles about lasers:
Popular Science - Google Books

 

• Jan 18, 2011

• #10

qumefox

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joeyss said:

How does that divergence compare to red key chain lasers today? It seems a bit better or is it just me?

Look at this Popular Science - Google Books

popular science article from 1964 on building a RUBY laser.

Click to expand...

It's better because that isn't a diode laser.. In that large a form factor, it's certainly a HeNe gas laser. And gas lasers in general have far superior beam specs compared to even DPSS.

 

• Jan 19, 2011

• #11

LORDJET

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I believe that the length of the cavity as well has allot to to with the divergence. The longer the cavity the gain medium is in, the less divergence will be. If I remember correctly..:thinking: