Help, is my laser dieing??

[Matrix]

I decided to put a match in a clear cup and light it.. the result was successfull but i think the beam touched the diode and now when i use the laser instead of just seeing a dot i see a dot and like a red shadow around the dot. is there any chance it damaged the laser? it only took 1 second to light so it wasnt on it very long at all.

All answers will help
Thanks!

 

[pschlosser]

May be. it's been reported, before, when a 532nm green was reflected back into the laser it cooked it. if that's what you got, be careful. it is still outputting a lot of energy, but in the IR range. That will cook your eyes and you won't even know it because IR is hard to see.

 

[Matrix]

Its a red 650nm 250mw laser is that a problem?

 

[pschlosser]

Its a red 650nm 250mw laser is that a problem?

Really? I would not think so, no. I've heard of the bounce back harming DPSS 532nm greenies only.

Could smoke or something have gotten on the lens?

 

[Matrix]

No, i dont think so i handle my laser with lots of care when im done i remove the battery put the laser in the bubble pop thing it came in and put it back in the box. I make sure nothing touches it xD

 

[Cyparagon]

If by shadow you mean halo, it means the lens is dirty. The surface of a glass you used will not reflect the beam back into the aperture well. It's more likely you got smoke on the lens.

 

[DrSid]

Btw. 200mW reds are known to be very sensitive to back-reflection. There were at least two reports here about them dying to back-reflection this month alone.

 

[Greenmachine11]

Sounds very odd Ive had 500mw lasers that could not light a match so a second sounds good to me.

 

[Matrix]

500mw cannot light a match? Sir you gotz scammed.

 

[RedDart]

Its a red 650nm 250mw laser is that a problem?

I had the same problem with the same laser.

Here's my thread: http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/laser-mirror-reflection-pics-79850.html

Sounds very odd Ive had 500mw lasers that could not light a match so a second sounds good to me.

If your 500mW can't light a match, you probably have a <80mW. Is it focusable? If not, it should still light a match at 500mW. Maybe the batteries you're using are too weak?