15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power supply

[Brett]

Hello everyone, I just joined tonight (after lurking and reading as much as I could for a couple weeks) and thought I would help out by providing a review as my first contribution.  I am new to 532nm and DPSS in general, so I guess you guys will should take some of my statements as highly subjective.  Consequently, I will attempt to restrict my observations to those which lack any sort of comparative element.

In any case.   I bought this laser using "Buy It Now" on ebay for $41.00 from Aixiz lasers.  I paid 5 dollars for USPS Priority shipping in the continental US.   At the time I had not even found this forum yet so I hadn't heard of Aixiz at all...I just figured paying under 46 bucks for a nice looking module and power supply was well worth the risk... It arrived in about 4 days (I think I clicked the Buy It Now so late that it didn't ship until at least the next day) packed in plenty of bubble wrap in a nice cardboard box.  I used an adjustable Radio Shack wall wart set for 4.5vdc and the module fired right up.  Even better, the beam was clearly visible during the day with the lights (3 25w florescent screw in's)  on in my lab.  Mine has a very nice looking and highly collimated beam, which appears to be TEM00, but the spot on the wall is so bright that I can't be sure.  Perhaps after I get my milspec goggles (they are on the way) I can view the spot easier.

It seems to me, based mainly on descriptions I've read here on this forum, that this Aixiz module is outputting quite a bit more than 15mw.  First of all...when my wife and I went to the grocery store, I bought a pack of ballons and found that this laser could easily puncture a black balloon from about 2.5 feet, maybe more (after about 2 seconds of me simply holding the laser assembly in mid air and pointing it at the balloon as best as I can.   It can cut through thin plastic grocery bags with black printing on them, and cause black newsprint to smoke. up to about a 2 foot distance, maybe further.  Isn't this behavior more typical of the 30-50mw level?  I did not touch the pot on this power supply, and in fact it came with a drop of glue on the pot.

There doesn't seem to be any fluctuation of power or temperature with this laser and the heat sink is cold no matter how long in runs (so far).  I've only let it run about 15 minutes straight at this point though.  Perhaps when my laser collection is larger, I can put it though more rigorous testing.  One thing I want to do is probe the output of the power supply with my oscilloscope while the module is unplugged.  This will verify if it is running pulsed or true CW.  Or just if there is any ripple in the signal going to the module.

Sorry for the utter lack of pics.  My nicer digital camera died not too long ago, but I think my wife might be getting us one for Christmas, so hopefully I'll have more pics in the future.  I have some limited footage of this laser on my old 1st generation Sony Digital Handicam, so i might be able to post some stuff to You Tube if there is any further interest in the performance of this laser.

Let me know if I forgot anything crucial....besides pictures.

I plan on getting a power meter as soon as I can, especially since one of my projects is going to be building my own DPSS using a KTP/Vanadate combo crystal and I'll need to track efficiency.  With a meter, my commercial laser reviews will be much more revealing.

*edit* Through further testing of this module, I have determined that it is *not* IR filtered.  The IR beam has a much wider angle of divergence than the 532nm beam.  This could possibly explain why I was able to burn things with such a low powered module as well.  What I found about IR beam size correlates with what Wannaburn found below. *edit*

-Brett

 

[JLSE]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

Those modules are also sold on dealextreme. They dont have an IR filter built in to them, and can project the IR a decent distance. The ones from axiz may be modules that came in under powered for the cheaper price. You might want to test for the IR leakage with those, as the pump is a 500mW 808.

They make a perfect host for DPSS, I fitted on of those with a 1watt 9mm 808, and some new crystals, it pushed 300mW of IR filtered green, and was stable at around 285mW ;D

They are perfect to start one if you plan on your own DPSS, lots of room to work with


Some info on the internals and my mod here:

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1210699419/15

 

[Brett]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

Wannaburn,

Excellent mod!  Thanks for showing me that.  I might be up to such a challenge once I've gotten arount to my 3rd or 4th DPSS project or more, but for now I just want to get my safety glasses, and get the basics down with lower power.  I'll probably shoot for something extra easy just to get my feet wet, like Sam's "Even Simpler 532nm DPSS".  I should have a combo crystal coming in the mail that I got for cheap (not sure how much pump power it can handle though) that I will probably just use with a fiber coupled 808 just to get some green.

To get back on topic somewhat, it *is* alarming about the 4" IR spot you saw at 30' through the handicam nightshot mode.  I have just such a camera and I tried looking for IR myself, but I had no way to filter out 532 green.

Thanks again for showing a very cool usage of the Aixis module I wrote about.

-Brett

 

[JLSE]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

If you have any red tranparent plastic kicking around, see if it will stop the 532nm, if so that is a route to consider. Even better, if you have a local surplus store to scavange through, look fo a NCR tabletop barcode scanner. They have a dense plastic lens that only allows the red laser back in when reading, but the lens also perfectly blocks 532. Scout a decent surplus store, they are a goldmine

There were some other things people were trying, like a glass of coke. It filters out the green and allows the IR through. The only problem with that is it probably absorbs some of the IR as well, and I cant see a decnet beam exiting the other side. A red lens will offer much less distortion in the exiting light.

There was also an trick using film negatives, but I cant remember the process.

 

[Brett]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

I'll look around for some red transparent plastic. Perhaps I could find some 532nm filtering optics on ebay for cheap as well. I can't think of a surplus store around here that has that type of stuff (mostly just thrift and vintage stores that sell used clothing), but it would nice to find surplus barcode scanners, especially since they would have a red HeNe with them as well. I used to have an army surplus flashlight that had a detachable red plastic filter so you could use it at night without spoiling your night vision. I might have to look around for something like that.

It would certainly be useful to know if this Aixiz 15mw module included IR filtering. There is a lens visible at the aperture, but I guess that's just a collimating lens. It is purplish-red in coloration, not blue-green as the IR filter is supposed to be.

-Brett

 

[ElektroFreak]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

I found this source of filters on ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/OmegaFiltersEbuyer2_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsxQ3asstQQtZkm

These guys are awesome and extremely knowledgeable. If you have any questions just send them a message in ebay. It's been my experience that they will respond quickly, and they've helped me out a ton since I started using them as a source of optics. Definitely worth checking out...

 

[Brett]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

Thanks ElektroFreak, I will check them out for sure, since the only optics I have currently are from things I've taken apart over the years, like old binoculars, CD/DVD sleds, etc.

Also, I located a piece of translucent red plastic as suggested by Wannaburn. It blocked the 532nm 100% and I was able to see an *extremely* bright IR spot on the wall through my Sony Digital Handicam's Nightshot IR sensitive mode. This camera is already quite sensitive to the Infrared section of the spectrum even when Nightshot isn't activated. I measured a 2-2.5" spot on the wall at 15 feet away from the laser's aperture. This seems to correlate with what Wannaburn found with his Aixis module. I was already being extra careful around the output of this laser, here's strong evidence that everyone should be careful (wear goggles) while operating these Aixis modules.

-Brett Miller

 

[ElektroFreak]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

Brett:

I noticed you have a 50mW unit from snoctony coming.. I think those are identical to the Aixiz 50mW "tunable" modules. I'd be curious to know more about them so if possible post a review and/or some pics of it when you get it. I have a few of the Aixiz modules around that I've been trying to find more detailed information about, and if the ones snoctony has are the same that may help me figure out where to get some really detailed specs and manufacturer info.

Thanks..

 

[Brett]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

ElektroFreak,

You are correct, I do indeed have a 50mw Snoctony on the way.  I am certainly planning on doing a review on that one as well.  I've been curious as to the quality of his stuff, thought some of his components and modules seem to have a decent reputation here...from what I've read.  It may be a couple months before I can get some high quality pictures up here, I need to get a new still camera, as my Canon Powershot died a few months ago.  Until then I'll provide as much data as I can when the Snoctony 50mw module arrives.

I'm a bit worried that it will not make it through customs, but maybe they don't scrutinize lasers which are not meant to be portable.  I would also love to get a nice DX200 red...but maybe I would be better off just building my own high powered red.

-Brett

 

[JLSE]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

You can always ask him to ship it with a creative name perhaps.. There shouldnt be a problem buying parts, but im in Canada so I cant say for sure.

 

[Brett]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

All,

I went ahead and went out and picked up a new digital camera tonight. After fooling around with it for a while, I think I am getting a little bit better at taking beam shots. What point is there in reviewing a laser unless you include shots of the beam? In any case, I said I would include some shots of the AixiZ 15mw labby when I got my camera. Enjoy.

 

[Brett]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

Ok, one more for now...I guess I need to try a different resolution.  This is the beam with the lights out...looking down the barrel of the AixiZ module/heatsink.

 

[hydrogenman15]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

Those modules are also sold on dealextreme. They dont have an IR filter built in to them, and can project the IR a decent distance. The ones from axiz may be modules that came in under powered for the cheaper price. You might want to test for the IR leakage with those, as the pump is a 500mW 808.

They make a perfect host for DPSS, I fitted on of those with a 1watt 9mm 808, and some new crystals, it pushed 300mW of IR filtered green, and was stable at around 285mW ;D

They are perfect to start one if you plan on your own DPSS, lots of room to work with Some info on the internals and my mod here:

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1210699419/15

Wannaburn- I was wondering how hard this project was. Is it possible without a lathe? Where did you get your crystals? <-- couldn't find any on OEM. :-/

Some info on the internals and my mod here:

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1210699419/15
[/quote]

Wannaburn- I was wondering how hard this project was. Is it possible without a lathe? Where did you get your crystals? <-- couldn't find any on OEM. :-/

--hydro15

 

[JLSE]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

For the ones I did without the lathe only yeilded 150mW at best. The original crystal set will give you around 150mW before they burn up. The first one I made was with the original crystals, when they burned up, it for some reason took the 60$ pump diode with it :'( The better crystal sets were bought through ebay from a seller who no longer has an account. It was some guy from AU who was selling 3-400mW units using the same parts, but different host. I cant for the life of me remember his ebay name, but I had tried to contact him via email, and never recieved a response.

I know snoctony was selling sets which claimed 500mW, but have never bought anything other than diodes from him, so im not sure how good they are.

*found his name

aerodynamics2006 "No longer a registered user"

They were big chunky crystals, approx 3x the size as the ones that come in the DX labby's

 

[hydrogenman15]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

For the ones I did without the lathe only yeilded 150mW at best. The original crystal set will give you around 150mW before they burn up. The first one I made was with the original crystals, when they burned up, it for some reason took the 60$ pump diode with it :'( The better crystal sets were bought through ebay from a seller who no longer has an account. It was some guy from AU who was selling 3-400mW units using the same parts, but different host. I cant for the life of me remember his ebay name, but I had tried to contact him via email, and never recieved a response.

I know snoctony was selling sets which claimed 500mW, but have never bought anything other than diodes from him, so im not sure how good they are.

*found his name

aerodynamics2006 "No longer a registered user"

They were big chunky crystals, approx 3x the size as the ones that come in the DX labby's

Thanks wanna burn. I've got a dx 35 and it cannot be opened like yours can (although that might be a good thing). Is it possible to use a 5.6mm 1 watt pump with an adapter to make it fit?

--hydro15

 

[JLSE]

Re: 15mw 532nm Aixiz lab module with 5vdc power su

[quote author=wannaburn link=1227848614/0#13 date=1228250425]For the ones I did without the lathe only yeilded 150mW at best. The original crystal set will give you around 150mW before they burn up. The first one I made was with the original crystals, when they burned up, it for some reason took the 60$ pump diode with it :'( The better crystal sets were bought through ebay from a seller who no longer has an account. It was some guy from AU who was selling 3-400mW units using the same parts, but different host. I cant for the life of me remember his ebay name, but I had tried to contact him via email, and never recieved a response.

I know snoctony was selling sets which claimed 500mW, but have never bought anything other than diodes from him, so im not sure how good they are.

*found his name

aerodynamics2006 "No longer a registered user"

They were big chunky crystals, approx 3x the size as the ones that come in the DX labby's

Thanks wanna burn. I've got a dx 35 and it cannot be opened like yours can (although that might be a good thing). Is it possible to use a 5.6mm 1 watt pump with an adapter to make it fit?

--hydro15 [/quote]

If its a DX 35, I cant see why it wouldnt be the same.. It should open by way of 4 screws on the rear of the module. The back should slide out with a long brass center piece attached with a glass expansion lens on the tip.

The brass section breaks down into the following:

-round threaded slug with a 4mm hole
-2 set screws and t shaped plate
-half circle brass piece where the screws and plate are fastened
-the white epoxy that holds the two brass sections together :-?
-one NdYvo4 crystal and lead foil cozy
-glass expansion lens

If you wish to modify it as is, you can more or less clean up whatever can be improved. I dont think any type of adapter can be used, as the crystals have to be as close to the pump as possible. The essentially sit on the face of the diode, any further away and you lose power.

To take it apart, follow these steps for greater chance of success:

-first and foremost, remove the two silver screws from the retaining plate.
-Gently lift away the plate straight up, dont slide it around, you can damage the pump and or cryst..
-under good lighting, coax the crytals out without going near the face of it on either side.
-place crystal immediately in the trash.. kidding, put it somewhere safe, handle only with tweezers!
-unscrew the base of the brass module from the small portion of heatsink
-gently pry the diode from its seat, its not pressed in, rather its locked by the brass you just removed, and store it as well
-remove the lens from the brass, this ones tricky, but when you re-assemble you will have to line it up again
-break the brass down into its 3 pieces

If you clean everything up, and straighten the edges of the brass, it will have some decent potential You can reuse the 500mW pump it comes with, and get 150mW without stressing the diode too much. The more time you put into it, the better the results will be.

But do remember one thing, DPSS take practice, and I do mean lots. No matter how many times you read any proceedure on how to, you will most likely kill a couple of diodes and crystals before getting any decent results. Its a fine touch operation to rebuild them, and so many easy and unforseen mistakes to be had. If theres one thing DPSS tested with me was my patience