If I buy a laser diode, would that be all that I need, or do I need to get some lens too?
here is an example diode: 2008369 - LASER COMPONENTS - LASER DIODE, 655NM | Farnell Suomi
although it doesn't mention CW, would the light out of that be a CW dot?
In the end, what I want to know, is that is the light straight out of a laser diode focused properly to create a dot or is a lens necessary. Also, if some sort of a lens IS necessary, then what?
I don't want to buy a laser module because at that site they're almost all 1 mW and cost 10 times as much. Feeding proper current to the diode isn't a problem for me.
here is an example diode: 2008369 - LASER COMPONENTS - LASER DIODE, 655NM | Farnell Suomi
although it doesn't mention CW, would the light out of that be a CW dot?
In the end, what I want to know, is that is the light straight out of a laser diode focused properly to create a dot or is a lens necessary. Also, if some sort of a lens IS necessary, then what?
I don't want to buy a laser module because at that site they're almost all 1 mW and cost 10 times as much. Feeding proper current to the diode isn't a problem for me.