LARGE HeNe/gas collection and reference thread.

[bloompyle]

So first of all, 2000th post!

Second, and the main matter. I've noticed a lot of people following my HeNe adventures. Through multiline and wavelength collecting. So I decided to have an all encompassing, ORGANIZED, updated thread showcasing all of my current HeNes from order of adding them to my collection. This will continuously be updated as another unit is added to my collection.

The idea is to post a title, description, and a couple pictures of each unit. Then a link to the full thread if one exists. If others would like a full write up in here, I have a good method of simplifying navigation. I can just add key words at each section (laser) and a ctr+f plus the included key (table of contents) will take you right there. Also, will double post with a keyword so you can skip it if you only want to comment. Either way, this method will be used with this post. So you're stuck with it

Before we get too into it, for a quick in-a-nutshell explanation of HeNes and how they operate, watch the following video. Skip to 16:00 for the HeNe example and explanation. This is from a 3 part series titled "Laser Fundamentals" from MIT. Great watch it you have the time!

On begins the fun!

Table of contents:
a4mw633
-4mW 633nm
a2mw543
-2mW 543nm
a612ML
-2mW 612nm multiline (594/604/612)
a594ML
-5mW 594nm multiline (594/604)
RORGA
-1.2mW REO Ohmeda Raman Gas Analyzer 6 line HeNe
aTunableAR
-Tunable 8 line argon

THECONC
-Conclusion past the list of units
PASTPOST
-To zoom past this post to the comments

a4mw633

4mW 633nm Uniphase 1103P

Here is my first HeNe. A beautiful 4mW unit shooting 633nm photons. At the time, I had no idea what I was getting into . It was just a cool laser to own, a neat little gas. Enjoy!

a2mw543

2mW Melles Griot(?) LGR

Well, there's a funny story behind this. I had it for over a mont, maybe even over 2, before I was finally able to lase it. I made the mistake of plugging it's 12VDC PSU directly into the wall. Let's just a say a plume of smoke later, and I had a small hole in my blanket. Terrific. Needed a paperweight. Well after turning the pot down on another PSU for my 594nm LYR, I realized the PSU will double for both. So then we were finally lasing! AFTER the next TWO additions!

a612ML

REO LTOR 015ODE

Now the real fun begins I originally purchased this as a 1mW REO 612nm from Dave. I was already stoked about finally owning 612nm! Though I had no idea what was hiding within. I was speaking with Sam later on about his 4.75mW 594nm LYR, when we got on the topic of PSUs. Eventually we moved on to the PSU that I was using for this not being perfect. You see, when lasing under these "special" wavelengths, things get a little more finicky. Things have to be under perfect conditions in order to get ALL the power, and possible extra lines (had no idea about these at the time). So I get a better PSU from my supplies I had around the dorm, hook it up, and we're lasing! For kicks, I put a diffraction grating in front of it since the 594nm was in the back of my mind. I look at my wall, and voila! 3 lines "just hangin out" on my wall. Enjoy reading all about it here!

a594ML

4.75mW-5mW 594nm Melles Griot LYR-173

So here we are with another multiline. I began talks with Sam about purchasing this unit a while ago, probably even before the previously mentioned REO. Set up a payment plan with Sam, and once I got the REO, began working for this one. What interested me the most was reading >4.75mW qwith a touch of 604nm. How was I supposed to resist? So after working it all out, and getting it here in the dorm, I was finally a happy owner of the "normal" 5 visible HeNe wavelengths (more on that later ). I did have 594nm from the REO, but now I had one specifically, and TWO units producing 604nm. Unfortunately, I can't really get any pictures of the 604nm line at the moment. The 594 over powers it (4.75mw vs 300-400uW) so I can try with a better camera later on. Definitely want to show it off Read more about this lovely unit HERE.

RORGA

1.2mW REO Ohmeda Raman Gas Analayzer (possibly Particle Counter)

The cream of the crop of my current collection. This beautiful unit was on ebay, unknowingly, for $125. Produces 6 lines: 612, 629, 633, 635, 640 (BARELY), 650nm. Don't want to spoil too much before you read all about it right HERE.

aTunableAR

OMNI 532 Tunable 8 line Argon ion

So after a random email from Dr. Sam, telling me of this wonderful unit, I knew I had to have it, whatever the price. With it's 8 lines of glory [457, 465, 473, 476, 488, 496, 501, 514] it's a stunning unit. Read more about it here!

THECONC

So that's all for now! If you have any tips for making this better, please let me know! I plan to update this with all of my further gas experiments. Might diverge from HeNe later on with plans for a tunable DYE, maybe others. Who knows! I hope you enjoyed your stay!

 

[bloompyle]

Re: LARGE HeNe collection/reference thread

Pastpost

 

[scumbagatheist]

Thanks for the thread, BP! I had no idea that HeNes would do multi-line also! I thought that was only for the Argon Ion systems...thanks for educating me!

 

[bloompyle]

No problem! I hope to update this thread and bump it whenever a new unit comes through. Such as my N2/TEA that I'll be building in the coming months, that will, with luck, be used for a tunable N2 pumped dye laser. I plan to keep it strictly gas experimentation related, or just cool gas things. I added the 633nm only because it was my first. Otherwise I wouldn't have added it unless it was a high output unit.

They aren't so much meant to as the argons are. It's generally an accident. They put a broadband HR on the unit and next thing you know, there's more than one wavelength allowed to pass. Like an unrestricted firewall. If you think about it, it's all the same gas. Helium and neon, ionized in a tube. They just pick a mirror for it, slap it on, and you've got whatever wavelength they chose.

 

[scumbagatheist]

That's very neat stuff. You'll prolly want to neg-rep me for it, but I want my first HeNe to be a small, low-powered unit that I can use as a standing lamp. They just look so nice, using plasma to light the room.

 

[bloompyle]

That's totally fine, I plan to do the same thing for my desk since my only light source is behind me, casting a shadow on my work. Enjoy your lamp project

My next HeNe related project is a toss up between a tunable 604/612/633 or a 5mW 612nm ML. Thoughts, anyone?

 

[IsaacT]

This is a great thread!!! I think your next project should be that tunable one Sounds cool! Mind if I put a link to this thread in my Wavelength Encyclopedia thread?

 

[bloompyle]

Glad you enjoy it! I plan to do the same, I just love orange. I'll look into both.

Go for it! I think it'll help others once there's a little more meat to it. The tunable will add to the technical aspect of this thread that I was aiming for. I want people to be able to come to this thread and be get ideas or knowledge about HeNes. Though I don't know how to approach that really. Any constructive criticism is accepted!

 

[n2stuff]

Hey Bloom I see you have a green HeNe and Argon. I am guessing they are at home?
You have a very nice HeNe collection. Me so jelly:drool: I do have some red and green HeNes and a multi line Arogn.

 

[bloompyle]

Both here, I posted the green, didn't post the argon, I can though.

 

[n2stuff]

Both here, I posted the green, didn't post the argon, I can though.

Brain fart on the green HeNE I was just so into your other ones I missed it.

 

[bloompyle]

Fair enough, haha. Glad you enjoyed the thread

 

[Sigurthr]

Awesome thread!

I think you need an intercavity prism model next, bloom!

 

[bloompyle]

That does sound interesting, I'll definitely look into it! First though is the the tunable. Waiting on some 1-B tubes to come around. Told Sam to keep me in mind when he gets them in.

 

[Sigurthr]

Internal prism tubes are the tunable ones =P.

 

[bloompyle]

I read model as like a display thing. Not an actual laser, I see what you meant. Definitely spaced that and got an image of a HeNe sliced from anode to cathode and displayed in a plexiglass case to show all the inner components. Sorry!

Getting a 1-B tube so I have a free working end. I have the prism I need from another Raman unit, just need the tube, mounts, and a decent mirror. I already have a few mirrors in mind though.

After that I may get the 5mW 594/604/612. Or just dive straight into the nitrogen pumped tunable dye.

Though none of this is happening until this CNI business is out of the way. One project at a time. Don't worry, there will be a bit of down time for a bit aside from suggestions and questions/comments. However, once the 2 CNI GBs are done, I'll jump back into the gas game