bare minimum of gas lasers

[rbu1497]

Hi guys
I decided to make co2 laser but i want 1w stuff so i wanna ask some questions.

1-i saw homemade co2 laser on youtube and guy made tube from fluorescent tube is it safe for 1w laser
2-how much voltage i need to apply to 100cm*cm*cm co2 for 1w
3-i will use it under 30 seconds so is it need cooling
4- where can i find %100 and %98 mirrors
5- am i need vacumm because heNe lasers work in atmospheric pressure is it true for co2

 

[WizardG]

op:

So much fail, so little time.

rbu' I would humbly suggest you NOT start with this project. Yes, you'll need a vacuum pump, LOTS of volts, and a 1 watt CO2 laser...............

Yeah, don't start with this project. If you want a 1 watt laser there are plenty of options.

 

[Blarg King]

Baby steps. I don't know of anyone who has made their own Co2 lasers from scratch. Theres a couple ways you could harm yourself, high voltage electrocution being one of them.

If you want to build a gas laser, I would suggest an air nitrogen laser, also known as a T.E.A laser. This you can make relatively easily and cheaply, but again, there is a dangerous electrical hazard, so if you are unfamiliar with working with electricity, I would find a safer way of getting acquainted with it.

Also, to the best of my knowledge, Co2 lasers dont lend themselves to lower powers such as 1 watt. The lowest power Co2 laser I'm aware of is in the 20 watt power range. For 1 Watt you would be much better off with a diode or DPSS laser.

 

[DashApple]

i have seen Co2 tubes go down to around 7W for HV discharge ones


There have been a few people to make a co2 laser from scratch , there in one on this forum .

 

[diachi]

Hi guys
I decided to make co2 laser but i want 1w stuff so i wanna ask some questions.

1-i saw homemade co2 laser on youtube and guy made tube from fluorescent tube is it safe for 1w laser
2-how much voltage i need to apply to 100cm*cm*cm co2 for 1w
3-i will use it under 30 seconds so is it need cooling
4- where can i find %100 and %98 mirrors
5- am i need vacumm because heNe lasers work in atmospheric pressure is it true for co2

I'll repeat what everyone else has said - don't start with this project. Start with something easier and work your way up.

If you want to start out with gas maybe start out with a TEA Air laser - that's probably one of the easiest you can build and even then, isn't quite as straight forward as a simple diode laser due to the HV and such involved.

Perhaps read through part IV on this page: Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety