- Joined
- Nov 20, 2014
- Messages
- 8
- Points
- 3
I felt it might be valuable to share this as a new member to this hobby. I have taken laser safety very seriously, and own a pair of "Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 800-1700nm OD5 Laser Safety Goggles" (the $65 option).
I am building my first laser using one of those $15 NICHIA M140 (A140?) diodes from ebay equipped with a linear regulator. I decided my desk was an appropriate place to breadboard test my circuit. In doing so, I had the diode mounted in a standard AixiZ module laying on the desk. When disconnecting everything after testing, the diode moved slightly and pointed the beam towards my body momentarily before powering off. I was not in the beam path at any point, and I was wearing the OD5+ goggles from survival lasers which are advertised as appropriate for that wavelength.
I have decided to not move forward with any future builds until I have a bench vice to hold things in place during assembly. I suppose this is the reason laboratory settings use a heavy metal table with bolts securing modules and optics in place. I should do the same to ensure safety during laser construction.
I am building my first laser using one of those $15 NICHIA M140 (A140?) diodes from ebay equipped with a linear regulator. I decided my desk was an appropriate place to breadboard test my circuit. In doing so, I had the diode mounted in a standard AixiZ module laying on the desk. When disconnecting everything after testing, the diode moved slightly and pointed the beam towards my body momentarily before powering off. I was not in the beam path at any point, and I was wearing the OD5+ goggles from survival lasers which are advertised as appropriate for that wavelength.
I have decided to not move forward with any future builds until I have a bench vice to hold things in place during assembly. I suppose this is the reason laboratory settings use a heavy metal table with bolts securing modules and optics in place. I should do the same to ensure safety during laser construction.