635nm C-mount Lab Laser

Couple of reasons.. One, I like the beam an aspheric produces,
also I try to keep with what is commonly available around the forum.

Im sure there are many other ways to go about it, but you will need
to get some input on that type of arrangement.. I only know
what ive tried and parts ive used..

Any lens that can do the same job as an aspheric working within
similar parameters should do just fine. What goes after that would require
some additional input to this thread and additional experimenting..

As far as I know, an aspheric lens sits the closest to the LD. Its a
single lens which means less loss as well.

If it aint broke.... :beer:

532 with Envy said:

You have some great photo's man! I love this one!

I have to ask....why an aspheric? what would be the difference between using that or a plano-convex as first optics? I'v seen these used as first optics off the diode, but i'v also seen plano-convex....:thinking:

Click to expand...

Welp i'll see what comes of the lenses that I have coming from Surplus Shed...as steal at $4 a piece!

When ever i'm thinking about lens and such I always refer back to Edmunds Optics for reference.
Are these the type of Aspheric lens your were talking about, and if not could you link me to the type you are talking about?:beer:

Aspheric Condenser Lenses - Edmund Optics

Still working from time to time on this project.

Of late I have been working on integrating a TEC into the build to keep the diode cool for long term use. I picked up some nice TEC's on fleebay, wired them up to a very basic controller, attached it all to a 808nm C-mount that I took out of a unit for testing.Tonight I fired it up for a 5 min test....not very scientific, but mostly to see what happened, and to touch the TEC from time to time to see if it was still cool.

It worked great!...as far as I can tell. The TEC stayed cold for the run and the diode still works..:beer:
A fun surprise is that the camera on my phone takes very nice IR photo's and I'm sure I could use it for basic alignment....I thought I would put up some pictures for fun.
Still working it....but it sure is just easier to buy stuff that already works
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