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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

A laser splitter/mirror to make 8 rays from 1 laser

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Hi everyone *

I'm new to the forum and quite fascinated by lasers!
I'd like to do a laser-sculpture, but I have very little knowledge on the subject.

I am thinking of splitting 1 laser beam into 8, not in a straight line aside one another as say the 'laser harps' but from one central point, making a perfect circle (this is very important) like the skeleton of a diamond. Could you help me along and tell me what I need?
:eek:
 





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avatar22482_1.gif
this comes very close
 
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That would be a diffraction grating. The one you found is more of a fan than a circle. Are you wanting to direct the laser at it and get a circle of individule beams perpendicular to the main beam?
 
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Like the one I found, but the beams creating an outward circle from 1 point. Are there perpendicular lines in a diamond? if no, no :)
 
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profilepic36826_3.gif
this pic of you comes close as well, are those all different lasers like the colors suggest? I say I'd like it to be from one beam, because if it could be possible it seems cost effective
 
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I see what you mean. I am unaware of anything that can produce that pattern. Maybe one of the other member's will chime in. :)
 
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That picture is an argon laser and a diffraction mirror. The one beam going in is from the laser head, the colors are split out of the main beam by the mirror in a fan.
 
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They go from 200-500$ depending on the model an output. They require external power to operate though so you would need 110v or 220v depending on the power supply.
 
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They go from 200-500$ depending on the model an output. They require external power to operate though so you would need 110v or 220v depending on the power supply.
Not cheap! But I have shoes in that price range, so it's ok :) Say I'd like to have one that can burn 4 hours a day for 3 consecutive weeks? Btw, can I place them outside in a secure garden with no trespassers? One always needs to protect the eyes when experimenting, but when it's all set, no one needs eye protection?

An octagonal or ball shaped beveled bead or crystal such as the ones that hang in windows might work for that with the right orientation? Might need some tweaking to get eight even rays.

Octagon Hanging Window Crystal - YouTube

T.
Hey! Thanks. I was flirting with that possibility, but then thought it was silly to assume it could be as easy. Would you know how I'd have to tweak it?
 
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The smaller ones have fans on top. If the weather isn't too hot I cant see why not. I'm not sure though. Longest I have had mine running is a couple hours. Obviously while setting it up you need protection but once its all set up and there are no stray beams it should be fine. To get the beams to be viable like in my avatar you will need a fog machine or smoke of some sort.
 
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Hey! Thanks. I was flirting with that possibility, but then thought it was silly to assume it could be as easy. Would you know how I'd have to tweak it?

All that I meant by "tweaking" was that you would have to be careful/precise in the exact placement/positioning of an optic like that so as to get the result you want.

Technically, what you need is a precision prism with eight triangular faces meeting at a point, with a flat bottom. Good luck finding one. A diffraction grating might satisfy your needs. Example: somewhere around here I have what's called an "axicon grating", basically it is a diffraction grating made with radial sections such that when a beam passes through the center it it is broken up into around 24 separate beams that diverge from the center.

Or, here's a grating that may be closer to what you want, keeping in mind that you will usually still have a central beam: http://www.amazon.com/Diffraction-Grating-Slide-Double-Lines-Pack/dp/B0074R38RY

T.
 
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The smaller ones have fans on top. If the weather isn't too hot I cant see why not. I'm not sure though. Longest I have had mine running is a couple hours. Obviously while setting it up you need protection but once its all set up and there are no stray beams it should be fine. To get the beams to be viable like in my avatar you will need a fog machine or smoke of some sort.
Alrighty, any smoke/fog machine you recommend? I hired one for a Halloween party once. Those things can be smelly 'n fickle. :p Would rain be a problem by the way?

All that I meant by "tweaking" was that you would have to be careful/precise in the exact placement/positioning of an optic like that so as to get the result you want.

Technically, what you need is a precision prism with eight triangular faces meeting at a point, with a flat bottom. Good luck finding one. A diffraction grating might satisfy your needs. Example: somewhere around here I have what's called an "axicon grating", basically it is a diffraction grating made with radial sections such that when a beam passes through the center it it is broken up into around 24 separate beams that diverge from the center.

Or, here's a grating that may be closer to what you want, keeping in mind that you will usually still have a central beam: Amazon.com: Diffraction Grating Slide-Double Axis 13,500 Lines/in 2x2"-Pack of 10: Everything Else

T.
I'm going to try the precision prism, a beam in t the middle isn't what I want, but good to know about alternatives! :thanks:
 
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I have a cheap one from amozone. I dont have enough experience to recomend any. For rain it would need to be covered up.
 




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