638 nm 1.3w laser beam question

[Christian9]

I'm making a 638 nm 1.3w red lightsaber (what i call burning lasers) and i heard looking at the beam (not pointing it at your eye) can blind you, is it true? I'm making it mostly for showing to friends

 

[Sta]

Welcome to the forum. Have you built any lasers before, or owned any? If not, you should not start with this. If you still decide to go ahead, you should know that 638 has a substantially less visible beam than, say, a 445. When I point my 600mW 638 up at the ceiling, even in a dark room, the beam is not easily visible. There is no laser whose *beam* will blind you; rather, looking at the dot, or into the beam, can do so easily.

 

[Rivem]

Looking at the beam isn't all that hazardous to your eyesight.

There will however be some dangerous light splash in the direction of the beam, so don't point it in the general direction of anybody.

Using it inside, looking closely at the dot, or shining it at close objects is more of a blindness hazard without protective eyewear.

 

[Christian9]

Thanks, I think I'll start off with something less powerful though

 

[CaliKirk]

Check out some LPC-826 or 840 650nm diodes, their very cheap on auction sites and its a great way to learn. To be honest at the right current setting and lens, they can be alot of fun to play with. And are pretty visible at night.. obv no where near a 1.3w 638nm unfortunately but they are great burners none the less.. I've ordered a couple of both so when I get that laser itch, I'll be able to scratch it!

 

[mzs112000]

EDIT: Green lasers don't put out any UV. Also, they emit in the infrared spectrum, which makes them especially good at burning things. P.S. because the human eye has high sensitivity to green light, so a green laser will be brighter.

 

[NightExplorer96]

A green(500 to 550nm) laser can put out some UV, and cause eye issues. Also, they emit in the infrared spectrum, which makes them especially good at burning things. P.S. because the human eye has high sensitivity to green light, so a green laser will be brighter.

Green DPSS lasers DO NOT use UV light to generate their wavelength. Some DPSS green lasers include: 532nm, 515nm, 543nm, 523nm. They do use IR and if properly filtered out, will barely help in burning materials.

Welcome to the forum. Have you built any lasers before, or owned any? If not, you should not start with this. If you still decide to go ahead, you should know that 638 has a substantially less visible beam than, say, a 445. When I point my 600mW 638 up at the ceiling, even in a dark room, the beam is not easily visible. There is no laser whose *beam* will blind you; rather, looking at the dot, or into the beam, can do so easily.

Are you sure Sta? I can see the beam on my 90mW 637 Spartan pretty clearly in my room. :beer:

-Alex

 

[mzs112000]

Green DPSS lasers DO NOT use UV light to generate their wavelength. Some DPSS green lasers include: 532nm, 515nm, 543nm, 523nm. They do use IR and if properly filtered out, will barely help in burning materials.



Are you sure Sta? I can see the beam on my 90mW 637 Spartan pretty clearly in my room. :beer:

-Alex

Ah, okay, thanks for correcting me

 

[NightExplorer96]

Ah, okay, thanks for correcting me

No problem mzs112000. Also, green lasers don't really "emit" in the IR spectrum. If you want to get specific, cheap 532 laser more then likely leak IR so you could say that they "emit in the IR spectrum" but quality green lasers won't have that problem. :yh:

-Alex

 

[mzs112000]

No problem mzs112000. Also, green lasers don't really "emit" in the IR spectrum. If you want to get specific, cheap 532 laser more then likely leak IR so you could say that they "emit in the IR spectrum" but quality green lasers won't have that problem. :yh:

-Alex

Okay, so those cheap fleabay lasers from China will leak in IR. So what would be best for my first >5mW laser, a overspec one from China, or building one with a diode from DTR?

 

[NightExplorer96]

Okay, so those cheap fleabay lasers from China will leak in IR. So what would be best for my first >5mW laser, a overspec one from China, or building one with a diode from DTR?

Yes. If you want to try your hand at a DIY DTR's shop is pretty good. However, if you simply wanted to buy one laserbtb is pretty good in terms of price/quality wise. :yh:

-Alex