Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

Buy Site Supporter Role (remove some ads) | LPF Donations

Links below open in new window

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

LittleMissLazertits

LittleMissLazertits

0
Joined
Apr 5, 2013
Messages
13
Points
0
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? :o
 





avatar22482_1.gif
this comes very close
 
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?
 
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 (:
 
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
 
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. :)
 
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.
 
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.
 
Speedy78 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?

Teslanium said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?
 
Last edited:
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.
 
LittleMissLazertits said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
Last edited:
Speedy78 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?

Teslanium said:
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.
Click to expand...
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:
 
Last edited:
I have a cheap one from amozone. I dont have enough experience to recomend any. For rain it would need to be covered up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top