dot scatter

[Glaser201]

I was using my laser today to burn through a plastic bag. I did so for 20 minutes, and then lit some matches. I didn't notice this with goggles on, but my dot has scatter all around it. Its a huge faded circle with my dot in the middle.

Can anyone help fix this? Could smoke from the bag damage the lens?

 

[Jacob32123]

Yes, smoke will damage it. You need to buy a lens cleaning pen and clean it.

Another option is to use qtips and rubbing alcohol

Can we see pics of your laser? If so we can tell you how to open it up and get to the lens

 

[Trevor]

\Another option is to use qtips and rubbing alcohol

I would actually shy away from this - a lot of times there are microscopic abrasives in the cotton which will scratch the lens and cause more scatter.

I know from experience.

-Trevor

 

[Jacob32123]

I would actually shy away from this - a lot of times there are microscopic abrasives in the cotton which will scratch the lens and cause more scatter.

I know from experience.

-Trevor

Thanks for the info. Someone posted somewhere that they managed to increase the power by 2ish mW by doing that

Thanks for telling me +rep if it will let me

 

[Glaser201]

So i should buy a lens cleaning pen? The thing i am worried about is that i used the laser for a long time without noticing the scatter, could the heat ruin my lens completely?

 

[qumefox]

You never did say what kind of laser it is.

If its a red or a green, heat isn't really an issue. If its a 405 or 445 over 300mW.. Melting an acrylic lens is certainly a possibility, but most likely it has a glass lens if it's from a reputable seller.

Most likely it just has particulate contamination on the lens. In general you really shouldn't 'burn stuff' closer than 6" or so to the laser to prevent this.

 

[Glaser201]

Its a 445nm 500mw with a AR coated glass lens.

And thanks to everyone for the info, will be cleaning my lens as soon as possible.