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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

FEL for <$1000?

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Jan 14, 2011
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Hey everyone.

So a friend wants to make a bet with me - that he can build a free-electron laser for under a thousand bucks, and that it will be in the tens to hundreds of milliwatt range, no less!

I think this is impossible, but what does everyone else think?

Don't get me wrong - the guy's almost as brilliant as I am. I just don't think the technology is here yet to be able to make a garage FEL.
 





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Hah XD What, a little self-horn-tooting isn't acceptable around here? Phah!
 
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Hah. I don't think it's possible =p But if he can do it for under $1000, hell, why did I just pay $700 for a 589nm, when I could get ALL THE WAVELENGTHS?
 

GBD

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for <1000$ , You won't even be able to finish any part of the system to even test it. Sorry mate, not doable. That budget falls short by many zeros (and you'll need a bit bigger area than a garage to work with).

I would take that bet though, nice way to get some free money from your friend :D
 
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Well its not all that impossible. Maybe not for less than $1000. But it would be close. Optics and enclosure would be the most expensive part, then comes the accelerator or electron beam generator. The main obstacle he will face is accelerating the beam fast enough to get the electrons to "wiggle" at the right frequency.
 
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if I have understood FEL's correctly it is a quantum leap in laser design yes?

Taking is from the mundane, to the science fiction fantasy.

Until now , all lasers required a lasing medium be it chemicals...excimers...solids...gasses...diodes...an expendable fuel.

But the FEL promises to do all..while only needing a source of electrical power. The laser shall work and work and work as long as you give it electricity, and a place to put its heat.

So Most likely...the 500 giga watt pulse lasers on my Mech are FEL's plugged into the fusion reactor.
 
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Essentially, Chuki. And, you can tune it to whatever wavelength you want, quite literally. So you have a rainbow of laser diodes, plus all the cancer-inducing UV/Xray/Gamma rays you want, and all of the heat-beaming IR and microwaves you want.
 




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