double beam in top laser 58mw

[nkgamer1990]

so i was just messing around with my toplaser from olike, the kind with the key switch, and noticed that wen i held the button half way down at just the point where the beam was dim but still lasing that the dot seemed to deform and right before my eyes a second beam actually moved away from the first, anyone have any idea as to whats causing this?
-nick

 

[blue lasers]

your laser is mode-hopping,with two dots is changing to TEM01.You should contact O-like about this.
BTW look here to find more about different Transverse modes
Transverse mode - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[nkgamer1990]

why is this bad if at all?

 

[Jaseth]

This is only really bad if you yourself are unhappy with the appearance of the beam, or if you wish to use it to burn (unlikely you would with 58mW anyway).
Mode hopping is usually caused by overheating, or it can be present in the warm-up time of the laser. A constantly mode hopping laser is most likely built rather poorly since it should be a straight 00 mode within a given temperature range.
It is completely up to you if you want a replacement, or if you don't mind the beam splitting.

Seb

 

[nkgamer1990]

its hard to replicate the conditions that caused it so its no concern. thanks for all the help