Re: new to laser tech and have a unique question
A capacitor burst to increase the voltage of what? A laser does not output voltage nor is it driven by voltage---what you are wanting to use is light matter interaction and optical phenomena to heat a "viscous fluid"
In order to induce a structural transformation in a material by means of light, the absorption mechanisms and dynamics have to be considered. Have a look at : http://www.io.csic.es/Web_GPL/personal_pages/Jan/thesis/Chap1.pdf
There is no loss of output with a wider beam----the output of a laser is the output --- example 1000mW/1W It is the power density that chnges when you widen a beam--by definition, power density is power per unit area which is usually expressed in terms of W/cm2. You can have 1W focused on a small area 1 square cm circle or or 1W focused on as large and area as you want example 1000 cm circle---what changes is the power density the W/cm squared---power output is the same in either case 1W.
If you are thinking to use photon transmitted energy/laser output to heat something, you need to know what wavelengths your target can pass, absorb and reflect and how efficiently and under what conditions.
You then need to determine the energy density of a given laser wavelength that your target can absorb that you need to raise the temp of your viscous liquid target from whatever temp it is to 430 degrees over an amount of time you think qualifies as your "instantly".
From what your requirements are -- limited funds + " This system needs to run on the equivalent of battery voltage as it is part of an onboard system and can only consume a small amount of power. As little as needed to accomplish the feat and as this is a custom sensor of sorts it can't ad too much bulk. The engineer would like to keep the unit to the size of a handheld device or a large handheld laser to fit within the size constraints of the overall design." I doubt it can be done ---burning wood with laser energy and heating a liquid like you want to do are very different things.
I've been through school for electronics and acoustics etc. so please do not treat me as a complete noob :undecided: I completely understand the mechanical function of a laser but my school has me on a special project.
I am to find a way to create a wider beam with no loss in output and I don't understand what to do. Could someone tell me how a beam could be widened to say a 10 mm beam that can raise the temperature of a viscous liquid to 430 degrees instantly. Some kind of liquid conductor thing we are doing. Would this require an initial capacitor to burst the laser or would this require an array of three diodes housed together?
I was thinking of a beam expanding lense and increasing the voltage to maximum? This is where I am lacking in experience and would love some guidance. I'm limited in funds and can't play with too many things at home and only have access at school and I am trying to take the initiative
:yh:
A capacitor burst to increase the voltage of what? A laser does not output voltage nor is it driven by voltage---what you are wanting to use is light matter interaction and optical phenomena to heat a "viscous fluid"
In order to induce a structural transformation in a material by means of light, the absorption mechanisms and dynamics have to be considered. Have a look at : http://www.io.csic.es/Web_GPL/personal_pages/Jan/thesis/Chap1.pdf
There is no loss of output with a wider beam----the output of a laser is the output --- example 1000mW/1W It is the power density that chnges when you widen a beam--by definition, power density is power per unit area which is usually expressed in terms of W/cm2. You can have 1W focused on a small area 1 square cm circle or or 1W focused on as large and area as you want example 1000 cm circle---what changes is the power density the W/cm squared---power output is the same in either case 1W.
If you are thinking to use photon transmitted energy/laser output to heat something, you need to know what wavelengths your target can pass, absorb and reflect and how efficiently and under what conditions.
You then need to determine the energy density of a given laser wavelength that your target can absorb that you need to raise the temp of your viscous liquid target from whatever temp it is to 430 degrees over an amount of time you think qualifies as your "instantly".
From what your requirements are -- limited funds + " This system needs to run on the equivalent of battery voltage as it is part of an onboard system and can only consume a small amount of power. As little as needed to accomplish the feat and as this is a custom sensor of sorts it can't ad too much bulk. The engineer would like to keep the unit to the size of a handheld device or a large handheld laser to fit within the size constraints of the overall design." I doubt it can be done ---burning wood with laser energy and heating a liquid like you want to do are very different things.
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