CD RW laser help

[Irelandrulz2]

Hello, I recently pulled apart a CD RW drive and extracted the laser.
When powering it with 2 1.5V AA the laser works, but there is no laser line like you see on these youtube videos. To be honest it's worse then a <5mW laser pointer.

Does the laser need to be put in a module for it to work properly or something?

Thanks.

 

[rhd]

Cdrw uses invisible infrared - you shouldn't expect to see much.

 

[Bionic-Badger]

As stated above, CD drives use infrared lasers, which are just barely at the edge of the visible spectrum of the eye. Don't look into the laser because even though it may not seem bright, it's sending out a lot of "invisible" light that can damage your eyes.

If you want a visible red laser, buy a DVD-RW drive and use the laser in that.

 

[Irelandrulz2]

Thanks.
Would I need a lens for a laser if I extracted it from a DVD RW drive? If so how far away does the lens need to be and will the lens from the actual DVD RW drive be alright?

Cheers.

 

[AUTO XX]

You are better off getting an aixiz or o-like module to collimate the laser light.
That way you can adjust the focal point for either infinite (beams) or close (burning).
You shouldn't ever be direct driving either, your laser diode will die young.
The module needs a heatsink as well, depending on your choice of laser you could be dealing with a lot of heat.

 

[Irelandrulz2]

OK, does that mean I could get a 5mW laser driver and change fit it with a 100mW laser for instance?

 

[jeffreythe00]

No. You need a driver specifically for the laser diode you are trying to power and it also depends on what your input voltage is. There's too many variables. We need to know what kind of diode you are trying to power. You will need a digital multi meter to test your output on the driver. You need a aixaiz module possibly with a glass lens (depending on the power you are running your diode). A heatsink, a power source and if you want... a housing.

 

[Irelandrulz2]

No. You need a driver specifically for the laser diode you are trying to power and it also depends on what your input voltage is. There's too many variables. We need to know what kind of diode you are trying to power. You will need a digital multi meter to test your output on the driver. You need a aixaiz module possibly with a glass lens (depending on the power you are running your diode). A heatsink, a power source and if you want... a housing.

What I'm hoping to achieve is extract a red laser diode from a DVD RW and get it working essentially how a normal laser works, (beam etc).
What would be the best way to do this, and what sort of parts would I need?

 

[Bionic-Badger]

First, try reading some of the tutorials on the stickies, or other tutorials like this one (use the search at the top of each page). They cover all these things. You're on the right track, but it'd probably be best to read the guides.