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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

IR diodes in 532 lasers

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I was wondering what the typical output of the IR diode in a 532 laser would be.

If I removed all the crystals and just used the bare diode out of my 20mW 532, how much mWattage should I expect in IR?

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It really depends. Can be anywhere from 100-500mW. Measuring the current draw will allow for a more accurate guess.. but it'd still be a guess. using a LPM is the only way to know for sure.
 
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For a reasonable module putting out 20mws of green, expect about 100mws of 808 coming from the pump diode. Don't expect much more than that, unless its a low quality yet higher priced unit.
 
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(yikes!) (although; you are talking about BEFORE it hits the crystals)

Can anyone hazard a guess as to how much IR leaks out of the front of a 200mw Gatlin?

Thanks

(I JUST NOW emailed O-Like, but from my limited experience I may not get an answer)

EDIT: Let me add a second question. Let's ASSUME that upon examining the 200mw Gatlin when it arrives at my door, that I find that "it just isn't the kind of thing that I want to try taking apart to modify". ('cause I might broked it)

Would carefully inserting a cut IR filter into the aperture be acceptable? (a clean, unscratched, vary carefully handled circular piece of IR filter, lovingly trimmed to "the perfect size", assuming I could do it). Or just plastering the darn thing on the front of the focus ring? (this way it could double as a lens protector)

Or is there some good reason why the IR filter should JUST be installed internally (if at all possible). (for example would a little back-reflection be a problem?)

MAYBE - the Gatlin has to be delivered first - MAYBE it will be safe to partially disassemble... so that I can wedge the thing on the inside of the focus ring, in contact with the end of the laser module?
 
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The better question is, is the power reading they gave you when they measured it for you including the IR? On cheap greens i've seen them output more IR than green before. I had a '50mW' green once that I measured putting out 23mW of green and 47mW of IR.
 
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qumefox (I edited my post BTW, with another general question, re: ADDING an IR filter);

"Susie" from O-Like answered my email - I asked them if it was metered; she said:

Hello Jeff

We have shipped your order already . We test it is >190mW

Thanks
Susie
 
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Yeah I saw that in your sig which is why I asked.

And adding an IR filter is generally relatively simple to most greens.
 
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I guess my question is where is the best LOCATION for the IR filter... can it simply be stuck on the end of the laser's focus cap?

Or do I need to (try) and install it "internally" (and specifically "where" - though it can't get any further back than mounted on the front of the module(?), if the goal is to make the laser "IR sealed").
 
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The best place just depends on the laser. You won't really know until you actually get it.
 
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Okay... then... a "cheap no hassle easy way" = "just stick the darn thing on the front of the laser".

I am a newbie, and very inexperienced at these things.

*I CAN'T* see anything wrong, can't think of any reason, why I shouldn't just stick it on the front of the focus ring in front of the aperture. I could even leave it square (uncut) and just put it on with scotch tape around the edges (I would actually TRY to be more elegant than that).

BUT... in my inexperience, I reason that MAYBE the IR filter MIGHT reflect enough spurious radiation back into the laser when mounted that way; enough to perhaps harm the laser? I need to confirm this...

Of course, *IF* I can somehow remove the focus ring (I'll have to wait and see) I can just "tuck it out of sight".

TECHNICAL (not mechanical) reasons for putting the IR filter in a specific location? Or does it NOT matter?
 
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It honestly doesn't matter where it goes so long as it's after the crystal set, nor does it have to be perfect. That close to the laser, the IR will be pretty much the same area as the beam. So long as all the beam passes through the IR filter, then IR will as well.( Or rather won't.. I guess. which is the point)

Just judging by what i've seen of this laser.. I'd just unscrew the front focus assembly and attach it to the inside of that.
 
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Qumefox; thanks; hopefully I can just remove the focus adapter. I'll be carefull. You never know, some things are not built to be taken apart (except with a sledgehammer).

I just re-read an old thread that I read after registering... 1st post... and it shows the filter basically "in the middle of" the collimation system (I WILL NOT attempt to take apart the module, of course):

http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/do-yourself-complete-green-dpss-o-like-crystals-42495.html

... I will refresh my reading with some 532 tutorials, and see what else might be found.
 
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I have to apologize for wasting space with all of that dialogue... it was timing... I just responded to the thread with my first question/post, and it got "hairy" from there.

Okay, I've done some searching. The whole old "IR coming from a 532 DPSS" thing leaves me MORE confused (from a certain point of view) then BEFORE I researched; there is not a clear consenus (on whether it's "dangerous" or not; many people say "YES!" if it is > 100mw; others say no, it's negligible and probably diverges; also, depends of the PATTERN of any IR splash from a PARTICULAR 532).

Also, it isn't absolutely clear (at this time) whether or not the 200mw Gatlin is IR filtered... but I did email them, I might get a reply.

BUT I DID:

(1) Possibly figured out a way to determine if IR is a problem with the 200mw Gatlin (or any other greenie); WITHOUT an IR-sensitive camera. It's a variation on this:

One good way to check for spreading IR should be this: take a piece of cardboard and cut a small (5mm dia) hole
into it. Aim the laserbeam through the hole from a few meters away, then check with your DV in night mode whether
there's a bright halo around the hole that isn't there in visible light.

I don't have a DV, but if instead of cardboard I use something very "FRAGILE" that I KNOW burns instantly from the green; I can see if a "halo" is burned around the hole that the green beam will go thru. Not definitive, but maybe an indication.

(2) There were several examples of people mounting IR filters (the RIGHT kind, now... absorptive) on the front of their 532 lasers, with no problems. One guy used a toothpaste cap w/ a hole in it, on the end of a hi-output pen.

I will endeavour to try to put it on the inside / front of the focus cap, if possible.
 
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I don't have a DV, but if instead of cardboard I use something very "FRAGILE" that I KNOW burns instantly from the green; I can see if a "halo" is burned around the hole that the green beam will go thru. Not definitive, but maybe an indication.

Hmm, unlikely... Good plan but, the IR will probably be too defocused to burn a larger hole. (even in fragile material.) You don't have a cel phone camera or anything like that?
 
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I've always been very "technical"; geeky when I was a kid; I was a computer hobbiest before anyone heard of home computers; I built my first computer from a kit in 1978.

As an amateur radio operator, I've done a couple of innovative things. In Berlin, I THINK I was the first American there to come up in the local packet networks.
Packet radio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In some ways, it is like an "internet", but over radio. It can do "all kinds of things".

I built a homebrew radio direction finding system for VHF/UHF. In Germany, I used to 'RDF local taxicabs, as well as other radio operators.
:yh:

BUT...

But when I retired from the US Army (1996), and experienced health problems in 1998, "keeping up with technology" went "on hold".

I've NEVER owned a cellphone. If you handed me one, I wouldn't know what to do (until I read the directions). Although, I have some great radio communications gear (most of it portable and/or usable with emergency power supplies). If some catastrophe knocks out the telephone system, I am set.

I've NEVER owned a digital camera. I have an old 35mm SLR / accessories in a closet that I haven't used in years.

There ARE a couple of things I need to do.

(1) Get a cheap but good/usable digital camera suitable for laser photos, if I ever do a DIY or a review. Don't know right now if that will happen... my interest MIGHT wane after I get my 200mw Gatlin (I think I will remain interested though). And yes, I think I would want a cam that can see IR, and maybe some nightvision capabilities. I would probably be cheap though, and buy something from WalMart.

(2) Get A PayPal account.
 
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I'm sure Aryntha knows what packet radio is.. As do I. :na:

KD4TGP


As far as cameras. Scopeguy used a fairly cheap one that did fairly well at beamshots. I don't remember offhand what kind it was though. I'll have to dig through my PM's. I know they were sub $100 on ebay though.
 
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