Few questions for a newbie on IR lasers

Well... i've been researching about lasers for some time and i know all the basic features i need, i also have a 100mw red module that i ... dont know how to use yet.

First of all i started researching and built a driver board, but i think it's not working properly and i gave up building things, from now on i'll buy them and assemble.

So, for the beggining i'm thinking about buying drivers from o-like, a IR 1w diode from ebay (wanna burn something before i get bored) and an AIXIZ module from HTD.

- After i get the Aixiz, can i just put the diode inside, connect to the driver and use a battery to turn it on?
- Does the aixiz has a heatsink already? If it doesnt, how can i put a heatsink in there?
- Do i need protection glasses for IR?
- Whats the best power input? Li-ion batteries?

I already read many posts, i know how things work but i need a general view, so i appreciate that noone tells me to use search because i did!! haha

Thanks for who is patient to answer my doubts

luccax said:

Well... i've been researching about lasers for some time and i know all the basic features i need, i also have a 100mw red module that i ... dont know how to use yet.

First of all i started researching and built a driver board, but i think it's not working properly and i gave up building things, from now on i'll buy them and assemble.

So, for the beggining i'm thinking about buying drivers from o-like, a IR 1w diode from ebay (wanna burn something before i get bored) and an AIXIZ module from HTD.

- After i get the Aixiz, can i just put the diode inside, connect to the driver and use a battery to turn it on?
- Does the aixiz has a heatsink already? If it doesnt, how can i put a heatsink in there?
- Do i need protection glasses for IR?
- Whats the best power input? Li-ion batteries?

I already read many posts, i know how things work but i need a general view, so i appreciate that noone tells me to use search because i did!! haha

Thanks for who is patient to answer my doubts

Click to expand...

Yes, kinda, yes, sure, plenty of others too.

There is plenty of ir safety information if you search, same goes for is you search the power supply. There are plenty of build a laser threads that can help you. The information is there.

Edit: It seems like once every two weeks some new member wants to build a 1w ir laser. They post and we never hear back from them. I think they get killed by them You shouldn't start with it.

Well. I already built 2 with my strange driver boards, i'll post some pics, both the diodes i harvested burned.
I also have this 100mw but i will only use it when i buy a driver board, do you know somewhere to find a driver board cheap?

Build one or use one of dr lava's and don't have any problems
http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/Micro_FlexDrive.php

Look how good at soldering i am -.- i cannot use soldering irons at all...
http://picasaweb.google.com/gibelliluc/LaserHobby02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNeR3N-a0tujeA#5540312489322665090

Picasa Web Albums - lucca xavier - LaserHobby

Arent this 200mW red laser diode driver / constant current /current adjusta [OLRDB-200] - $3.89 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products and 2pcs Constant current laser diode driver 80-500mA w/TTL [OLDD20] - $5.00 : Welcome to O-Like.com, Your source for laser products good?
Because they cost much less then the one you sent me - i'm student, that's cause i was thinking about an IR laser, much cheaper. -

sorry, double post

Yes, all you would need to do is put diode in aixiz connect driver and turn on, but i recomend using a multimeter to set it for the right voltage and current or else you may kill the diode. Also the aixiz acts as a primary heat sink and will help to keep the laser cool, this can be improved by buying another heatsink to place the module itself in as the aixiz will only provide a little bit of heatsinking. I reccomend anti ir glasses, but they are very costly. The problem with ir is that unlike 532nm or other visible lasers your eye wont know to blink if its being lasered and with powers like 1 watt damage can be instant. As for power supply its really a matter of personal opinion. I recomend high quality rechargable batteries but I dont recommend going over twelve volts. You should probably use a high visibility red green or blue laser for your first build, i am being a bit of a hypocrite though, my first build was a 300mw IR and I didnt use glasses, I was very lucky not to damage my eyes though and you really should invest in some good glasses.

I hope this post has been helpfull and i cant wait to see the laser in action. I hope you post heaps of pictures and let us know how powerfull it ends up being.

Well, actually i gave up of IR lasers, i'm a begginer and i'm starting building all kinds of other lasers... An IR eye safewear is about $200...

Yeah, i dont blame oyu it would be cool if there was some kind of really cheap IR glasses but until then I prefer visible lasers two.
IDEA: Home made IR glasses, get a whole lot of old digital cameras remove IR filters and attach to reading glasses or something, I think i'l have to develop this idea further...

Even though you have given up ir lasers, i have to tell you that a regular axis module wont work. 1 watt ebay ir diodes are 9mm and axis module is for 5.6mm diodes. You should use the 9mm diode module from o-like since you are already buying from her.