IR danger? Power meter tests and Pictures!

[Deleted member 8382]

You have to add that the IR diverges much faster than the green beam, and that in case of a hit with goggles, only a part of the total IR would go inside the eye plus a part of it will reflect on the goggles.

I've always said IR WASN'T A PROBLEM, although many people here are obsessed with IR filters...

 

[Benm]

I wouldnt say it cannot be a problem. Chances of IR in the green beam posing a danger at any distance are slim. But on danger is when working on the laser up (very) close. You might get in a situation where the green beam comfortably misses your eyes, but the ir does not -because- it comes out as a wider bundle. How much it is is hard to tell, but as long as you dont actually know, you should probably assume the works case scenario of the full pump power (especially in malfunctioning lasers).

 

[JaiNobeZ]

I have a green laser where the crystal assembly came unstuck from the diode pump (I think that's the right terminology...). Is there anything I can do with that that'll help either side of this debate?

I do have access to several cameras, at least one of which shows up some sort of IR as pink\purple. I don't have a power meter. My laser I've found to be incapable of lighting a match as far as I can tell.

 

[Benm]

It would be interesting to see in what pattern the light comes out, though i reckon it will just be a very wide bundle. Still good to see exactly how wide.

Its important to have a laser where only the crystal set is missing, but all other optical components are still there. Even the crystal set will alter the path unused pump light takes a bit, but that need not be by very much.