Another "blue" frequency thread....

[dweglarz13]

Okay, I am starting to grasp it all. Now,
is 150mw the highest power for a 445nm single mode diode?

What is the difference between a M140 beam and a 9mm? Why would you recommend to skip the M140? Im guessing out of the different diodes the M140 looks most like a flat bar? Thanks again, these things are expensive and if I can learn from you guys without needing to buy every different kind of diode, it would sure help my wallet!

thanks
dave

 

[blasterman]

I have a PLTB450 and a M140 running at ~1.4 watts in two side by side projectors. The PLTB450 is ever so slightly 'bluer' than the M140, but you have to strain to see the difference.

The PLTB450 has a bit tighter beam than the M140, and the beam behaves better with cheaper optics. For visibility I'd pick it over the 'fatter' M140.

A side note is the burning ability of the PLTB450 was rather frightening and I still have scorch walls on my doors and walls. The PLTB450 burnt through a dark jacket draped over a chair in less than a minute because I wasn't paying attention to where the beam was terminating and started smoldering wood on the far wall while I was adjusting optics on my work bench. Only the smell alerted me to what was going on. In a portable pointer these things are flat out dangerous, and I can't stress enough that absolute maturity and common sense is required for their operation.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

LOL cool story bro! You must be doing something right when you almost burn your house down with a laser.

Okay, I am starting to grasp it all. Now,
is 150mw the highest power for a 445nm single mode diode?

Yes, of the commonly available ones.

What is the difference between a M140 beam and a 9mm? Why would you recommend to skip the M140?

The M140 is 9mm.

Im guessing out of the different diodes the M140 looks most like a flat bar?

Correct. This video shows it very well

As you can see even the burn marks are flat.

 

[dweglarz13]

Wow, thanks for that upload. That is alot easier to understand when I see it like that.

Ok, last question.....Now, since the Pl450 is visibly nicer, how much "brighter" or "visible" would the beam be on a 1.4W PL450 vs. a 3 W 9mm? I know this sounds silly, but I am curious as I haven't seen to many comparisons with beam shots between something like this.

Thanks again for the help. I can't stop thinking about lasers all day long now.....

dave

 

[styropyro]

I'm a big fan of the PL450B diode from Osram. It's rated at 450nm but tends to go a bit higher in wavelength when you push it hard like most people here do. I can see somebody already linked to my build using that diode.

Yeah a 1W 445nm will be quite a bit brighter than 150mW of ~455nm from the PL450B. I'd still chose the PL450B over the 1W+ 445nm any day though. They are bluer, have a nice round beam, and aren't in the ultra dangerous class IV range. You can still burn with them nicely and you get a very nice beam from them.

As for a hint of purple, that is subjective. 460nm is what I'd call "true blue", so 455nm is pretty damn close to that. Much more than 445nm at least.