Beginner to Gas Lasers

• Dec 6, 2009

• #1

randomlugia

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I've been wanted to get a HeNe laser for some time now, and I'm probably going to order one off of Ebay. But I really have no knowledge of gas lasers whatsoever. My main question is, are HeNe lasers easy to run? Meaning can I just plug it in and have it turn on? Also, if I cover the bottom, can it still shock me? Any other beginner tips for gas lasers are appreciated. Thanks.

 

• Dec 6, 2009

• #2

daguin

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randomlugia said:

I've been wanted to get a HeNe laser for some time now, and I'm probably going to order one off of Ebay. But I really have no knowledge of gas lasers whatsoever. My main question is, are HeNe lasers easy to run? Meaning can I just plug it in and have it turn on? Also, if I cover the bottom, can it still shock me? Any other beginner tips for gas lasers are appreciated. Thanks.

Click to expand...

If you get a tube that is in a housing AND a "lab style" PSU it is pretty hard to get shocked. If your tube is exposed and/or your PSU has wires exposed it is very easy to get shocked.

Peace,
dave

 

• Dec 6, 2009

• #3

photonaholic

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HeNe are great, Just be real careful of the seller reputation and make sure there is no "As Is" policy.

In other words, make sure you can get a refund if it does not work.

 

• Dec 6, 2009

• #4

Meatball

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That's good advice, and goes for any such laser you buy from ebay...

Is there a particular wavelength you're after?

 

• Dec 6, 2009

• #5

daguin

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I've got several 3-5mW 652nm HeNe's with brick type PSU's available for $35 each

Peace,
dave

 

• Dec 7, 2009

• #6

Hemlock_Mike

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As Dave says --- The HeNe is the starting point for gasssssss lasers.
When I got my first HeNe ~30 years ago, I was in heaven. The mixed gas lasers with Ar, Kr, Cd are more advanced requireing lots of power.

HMike

 

• Dec 7, 2009

• #7

randomlugia

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So basically, any tube shaped lasers can shock you and any box shaped ones can't?

 

• Dec 7, 2009

• #8

Hemlock_Mike

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Tube -- Box ??? What?
We're talking about Gas lasers which use HV to excite the tube. Some CO2 lasers are milti-pass gas which are like a box.

HMike

 

• Dec 7, 2009

• #9

daguin

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randomlugia said:

So basically, any tube shaped lasers can shock you and any box shaped ones can't?

Click to expand...

No. That is a gross oversimplification.

If the tube in housed inside an aluminum housing with an alden plug AND the PSU is a lab style where any bare wiring is inside a plastic box, then it is very difficult to get shocked. However, a bare tube with bare wiring attached to the ends of that bare tube would give you many opportunities to be shocked.

Hard to get shocked

Easy to get shocked

Peace,
dave

 

Last edited: Dec 7, 2009

• Dec 7, 2009

• #10

randomlugia

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Oh, I get it. So this one is safer because everything is inside a metal housing?

Ebay

 

• Dec 7, 2009

• #11

photonaholic

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That is a very safe unit.

Nice deal too if you get it. Good luck!!!!!!!

 

• Dec 7, 2009

• #12

randomlugia

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Thanks, I understand much better now.