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Early Laser Pointing Device

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Eidetic

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Here's a pic I found in the October 1967 issue of Laser Focus, of a very early laser pointer. It was previously argued that a true laser pointer was cordless, which I still question, but this one fits the bill.
 

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Awesome. I want one, wonder how much one would cost now, if there are even any still in existence. It's crazy how far we've come from such a device, a few milliwatts of red light in a handheld then to over 900mW of green light in a handheld, truly incredible. Thanks for sharing.
 
Funny how it's proposed that it should be used to signal pilots by shining it in their cockpit. :p

-Trevor
 
In light :whistle:of the past month's developments, I couldn't help posting when I came across it this morning. A mighty 0.5mW I'm sure! I wonder if the guy in the picture, now probably in his 70s, has any idea how much laser power he can fit now into his "gun"?
 
electron said:
He's going to get into so much trouble "signaling" the pilot. :):)
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In light of what Prototype said earlier, your comment gives an example of how "far" we've come. Quite frankly, I had hoped for something better:can:
 
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Wow, thanks for posting that Joeyss. That REALLY is old school!! That totally takes me back to when I first got interested in lasers. Although I have never seen that particular story before in Popular Science, It is very similar to the ones I would read, digest, and completely rip apart, wanting to learn all I could about the new light fantastic!!:drool:
 
joeyss said:
How does that divergence compare to red key chain lasers today? It seems a bit better or is it just me?

Look at this Popular Science - Google Books

popular science article from 1964 on building a RUBY laser.
Click to expand...

It's better because that isn't a diode laser.. In that large a form factor, it's certainly a HeNe gas laser. And gas lasers in general have far superior beam specs compared to even DPSS.
 
I believe that the length of the cavity as well has allot to to with the divergence. The longer the cavity the gain medium is in, the less divergence will be. If I remember correctly..:thinking:
 
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