Hello hello, i have a dvd reader/writer that i am very happy to sacrifice for a laser diode. ( how amazing just 3 weeks ago i did my first internet search on lasers now I've got a 50mW green laser in the mail and hoping to make a red one ) anyway i have some questions. Is there a way to find out if the laser diode is suitable (like not all IR) without opening it up. also I'm probably going to need some general help with designing the circuitry (does anyone have some general guide??) i have a basic understanding of some simple circuits ( amplifiers & rectifiers... doorbells and such) and i can assemble circuits well its just i have very little (Ok none) experience with laser diodes and the related circuits. OK i know this sounded noobish lol.... anyway any help with this will be really appreciated .