Combining diodes

Blue was always the problem before, but now I've got plenty of blue to spare and the challenge is getting enough red. I know I can combine a set of red diodes with a polarizing cube but I'm curious if works to combine the diodes *before* collimating, then put the resulting beam through a single lens? In addition to reducing cost, it would simplify mounting and alignment and result in a more compact assembly. Having never tried combining beams though I really don't know if it would work. I suppose even with the diodes almost touching the cube, you might end up with too much distance for the focal point of the lens.

I don't think that combine lasers (u said DIODES) before collimating is possible, as the light will spray on the cube and u will get a fuzzy reflect effect.

You really want to collimate before combining the beams.

james1095 said:

I suppose even with the diodes almost touching the cube, you might end up with too much distance for the focal point of the lens.

Click to expand...

You are right here, besides this you will loose LOTs of laser power from diffusion of the high divergency diode, and if you could find a suitable lens, you could end with a less than ugly beam due to inner cube reflections. So I would colimate first.

You could always "knife-edge" them, it is done before the collimating lens. See here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/my-take-quad-red-52626.html

This is four LOC's but same concept.