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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

List of 1W and higher laser diodes?

Joined
Aug 21, 2010
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Greetings,

Totally new to lasers and having difficulty finding a list of laser diodes 1W and higher for sale.

I have been to several laser sales websites, but none seem to have a list of their diodes by wattage. Why is it so difficult.

Thanks
 





JLSE

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Dec 13, 2007
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Greetings,

Totally new to lasers and having difficulty finding a list of laser diodes 1W and higher for sale.

I have been to several laser sales websites, but none seem to have a list of their diodes by wattage. Why is it so difficult.

Thanks

You wont find much in that range other than the 445nm LD's and NIR 808's etc.

Other colours exist in 1W, but the associated price tags are a bit beyond the average hobbyist's budget.

Look on ebay and you can get a good variety there. Not only are they
expensive, but the beams need correction etc.
 
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May 31, 2009
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Not to mention, building and operating such a laser, can be expensive in its self. A good pair of laser safety goggles are going to run you ~$80. Could I possibly suggest something in a lower class range like a LOC or LCC for your first laser?
 
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
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There are lots of 1W diodes.
What wavelength?
What package type?
What price range?

You should do a "little" reading. There is a lot to learn. ;)
Welcome to the forum.
 
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Feb 1, 2008
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Diode lasers are not known for their power. If you have a (VERY) powerful diode laser, its not going to be a "pretty" color, and its not going to have beautiful beam specs. Diode lasers are not the most precise, or consistent lasers either...

If you want POWER and a pretty beam, you will have to go with gas Ion lasers, and DPSS lasers.

Diodes ARE getting more powerful every year. For instance, the green diodes announced just about a year ago, are already lasing at up to 500mw! If you are able to jump on the 445nm bandwagon, I recommend you do so now..
 
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Aug 21, 2010
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Yeah, I know I need to do reading. Don't know where to start :)

So the 1W 445nm blue lasers are the strongest?

I want to build a Star Wars type blaster.

Are there optics that can be used to combine laser beams so I could combine like ten 1W beams?
 
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Yeah, I know I need to do reading. Don't know where to start :)

So the 1W 445nm blue lasers are the strongest?

The 1W 445nm diode is the strongest visible laser diode in a 5.6mm package type.
There are more powerful diodes though... IR and red diodes can be found at several watts. Diode arrays can achieve >100W.

There is a lot of info on high power diodes in the "Blue, Yellow, and Other" section. You just have to dig it up.

I want to build a Star Wars type blaster.

Are there optics that can be used to combine laser beams so I could combine like ten 1W beams?

Yes, but aligning the beams is a daunting task. You also need to consider things like custom machined mounts for the optics and diodes, power source, regulation, host... I would suggest some simpler projects to get you started.
 

Asa

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Jul 24, 2010
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>> Sam's Laser FAQ: Welcome Page <<

You can read up on lasers there.

So you say you want to combine ten 1W beams? I don't believe you know the scope of what you would be doing. Besides it being extremely expensive, extremely hard, extremely dangerous, very time consuming and tedious, it would also take a pretty large amount of space, not something you could fit in a little Star Wars blaster (assuming you're talking about the pistol version). You'd also have to wear very strong safety glasses and you wouldn't be able to play with it without them on, since the beam would be so bright.

A 1W 445nm would probably be enough for what you're looking for, though the beam wouldn't be too astounding. It would also be a rectangle, as they are multi-line diodes and do not produce a round dot.

Something to note is that 532nm lasers are brighter than 445nm to the human eye, so 200mW of 532nm will have around the same visible brightness in the beam as a 445nm. But, these don't come in diodes. They're actually powerful infrared diodes that pass through crystals to emit 532nm. They're a bit more expensive than 445nm though.
 
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I want to build a Star Wars type blaster.

It might help if you told us what your really trying to achieve. Burning? Beam visibility?

Even if you could manage to cram a 10 diodes, a knife edge combining arrangement, corrective optics and power source into something vaguely handheld, you'll probably still be disappointed by the results.

10W of laser power, while a lot, still isn't spectacular. A clear air visible outdoor daylight beam will take you probably 100W+ of 532nm.. Much more at 445nm.

As far as burning things. It'll certainly be quite a hazard... but only to plastics or other flammible/low melting point dark materials. Forget about doing any real damage to anything substantial. Punching holes in even thin metal takes kilowatts... and usually several of them.

The most hazard of all would be to lifeforms. Which kind of makes such a device totally unsafe to use around people/pets... period. 10W lasers are not something you wave around in the presence of anyone else.. at all. Your talking instant blindness here.. the things going 'pop' in your eyeball type, as well some quite painful burns to anyone who happens to get hit with the beam.

I hate to be a killjoy but that power just doesn't have a place anywhere else other than a properly shielded and restricted access beam table.
 




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