Is my laser beyond repair?

[sparky0101]

Hi all. I recently bought a 1Watt blue laser from a friend. It cost me peanuts because there is an issue with it. When turned on the beam (spot) has a haze around it.

I tried cleaning both the lens and diode lens but with no real change. I then decided to look at the top of the diode lens with my mag-scope and I have uploaded the pictures of what I found.

I'm pretty sure this is on the inside of the glass as it won't clean off. Is there any way to sort this or has it had its day?

Thanks in advance.

https://laserpointerforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57805&stc=1&d=1507651982

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi,
Pic of the beam please and where have you been since 2011??

Rich

 

[diachi]

Looks like the window is burnt/otherwise damaged to me. Decanning the diode may fix it.

 

[sparky0101]

Hi,
Pic of the beam please and where have you been since 2011??

Rich

Hi Lifetime17. Ahh that's so sweet, was I missed? LOL!
No I have been doing other things that gave me no time to play with lasers but now I can again.

Here is a pic of the beam with a lens and without

 

[BowtieGuy]

Looks like the window is burnt/otherwise damaged to me. Decanning the diode may fix it.

I agree, looks burnt, it's only going to get worse.

 

[Alaskan]

Same thing happened to mine, decanned. PM me your phone number or get with me on Skype and I can help.

 

[WizardG]

Yeah, it looks like the window on your diode is cooked, or has stuph cooked onto it. This can't be cleaned off so decanning or ...living with it are about your only options. Of course you could always swap in a different diode. More power, different wavelength.

 

[sparky0101]

Anyone point me to a good decanning tutorial please?

 

[diachi]

Anyone point me to a good decanning tutorial please?

There's a bunch of ways to do it, ideally you want a decanning tool but those are expensive. You'll need to remove the LD from the laser completely.

Check this post from DTR: https://laserpointerforums.com/f57/prince-song-57182.html#post809310

May be best to send it to someone with experience/a decanning tool. You can very easily kill the diode doing this.

 

[WizardG]

Anyone point me to a good decanning tutorial please?

Search bar at the bottom of the page can help guide you.

 

[sparky0101]

Thanks all I will have a go with the razorblade and drill method when I get time.

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi,
Do you have a pic of the laser or do you know what kind it is??

Rich

 

[sparky0101]

Hi,
Do you have a pic of the laser or do you know what kind it is??

Rich

It doesn't say any brand on it. I just tried to decan an old red laser diode with a drill and a blade and broke it. I got a nice clean cut but the blade must have gone inside the can and broke one of the wires. I might shell out the £98 for that tool actually just because I love tools and don't have one!

 

[diachi]

Decanning generally best avoided, it's a risky process. It also opens up the die to contaminants and can caused reduced diode life. Of course, in your case you have little choice, other than replacing the diode.

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi,
Here is a pic of the tool i have for that.

Rich

 

[GSS]

Sparky, Lifetime used that same tool to de can a A140 for me almost 2 years ago and it's still going strong if that helps..
I do though take precautions as far as no close burning or taking the lens off to lessen the chance of debris.