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Silly newb question about shining lasers into crystal cubes

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Since the last time I posted here I looked into these laser etched glass cubes. They are quite common and not particularly high in price. So, I guess my point is, there are many people/companies doing this kind of work. I doubt you could cause damage to one with any CW handheld laser of any power currently available. Reflections would be a problem, however, and you would need to be aware of that. If you don't know for sure, I'd try a lower power laser to begin with.


I'll try first with that little light saber pointer thats on it way to me. Very low power. It says 0.04 - 0.39mw. But first to troll some cats and foxes with it. :D (not in their eyes of course)
 





diachi

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Alaskan got it right, Q-switched Nd:YAG for etching. XY Galvo and adjustable focus for positioning the focal point in order to etch the glass at the right spot.

A CW Diode/DPSS portable isn't going to damage it, although as always, be careful with reflections. Not just for your eyes, but intense back reflections can and will kill diode lasers too.
 
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I'll try first with that little light saber pointer thats on it way to me. Very low power. It says 0.04 - 0.39mw. But first to troll some cats and foxes with it. :D (not in their eyes of course)

I think you meant 0.04 watts to 0.39 watts, as what you said would not be more than a fraction of 1000th of a watt. :)
 
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diachi

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Not sure. This thing takes 3 AG5 batteries. Tiny watch batteries so probably not even 1mw. It may not even be a real laser. Heres a link. Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Laser Pointer | ThinkGeek

Actually says Class 1 laser.:undecided:


Yup, it is actually 0.04-0.39mW - little pricey for <0.5mW of 650nm... But I guess it's about the novelty of the light sabre host, eh?

Won't be particularly visible in any sort of well lit environment and poses practically no eye hazard. You'd need to actively stare into the aperture with the laser on for an extended period of time.
 
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That is pricey as I have one that take three button batteries that put out about 5 mW. I wonder how accurate that less than 0.5 mW rating is. They sure have the wavelength out to between 640nm and 680nm.
 
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That is pricey as I have one that take three button batteries that put out about 5 mW.

Not sure. This thing takes 3 AG5 batteries. Tiny watch batteries so probably not even 1mw. It may not even be a real laser. Heres a link. Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Laser Pointer | ThinkGeek

Actually says Class 1 laser.:undecided:

Yup, it is actually 0.04-0.39mW - little pricey for <0.5mW of 650nm... But I guess it's about the novelty of the light sabre host, eh?

Won't be particularly visible in any sort of well lit environment and poses practically no eye hazard. You'd need to actively stare into the aperture with the laser on for an extended period of time.

Novelty factor always bumps price up plus its made by Disney so hopefully will be half decent. It was a little cheaper on Ebay where I bough them. Two of them, one for sisters boyfriend as he has full size replica Light Saber. So we halved the postage too otherwise postage would have cost nearly same price as one. Im glad its very low power and safe. Bought and extra 20 batteries for us for a couple of quid too.

:)
 
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That is pricey as I have one that take three button batteries that put out about 5 mW. I wonder how accurate that less than 0.5 mW rating is. They sure have the wavelength out to between 640nm and 680nm.


As I dont know what im talking about would love to see someone review it. That particular link comments section said they then lowered the price 50% but seems to be back up now. You can get on Ebay still and guessing the postage will be much less as they are all sold in the US. Ones I bought came from Sun City Arizona. Im expecting them tomorrow but other than photos cant offer any technical info.
 
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My best guess is it is ~5 mW 660nm red laser. That is what I got for about $2.00 in a store right here in Tacoma some 6 years ago.
 
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My best guess is it is ~5 mW 660nm red laser. That is what I got for about $2.00 in a store right here in Tacoma some 6 years ago.

Do you think its possibly over the spec. Any way to get rough idea without equipment in say comparing 0.5mW to 5mW ?
 
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I have a 0.5 mW He-Ne laser which is at 6328 Angstroms or 632.8nm. Because it is a shorter wavelength than a 660nm it looks about the same brightness as a 5 mW 660nm. I could probably tell the difference by looking at it, but I doubt you could. Without a way to measure it, there really is no way to know for sure.
 




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