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FrozenGate by Avery

Laser as a heat source

Anousse said:
Hi Diachi,

the equivalent of mass under the laser spot should be less than a gram. As I said, it is highly exothermic and as soon as a small amount melts, it reacts and the whole reaction is self driven. The material covering the thermocouple is stainless steel I believe (Nickel alloy inside). Stainless steel has a higher specific heat, but a lower thermal conductivity than the metal I want to melt. The absorption coefficient might be different, but should be high for both.

560 C is higher than what I need, so I guess that all those little variations can be tolerated in the experiment. At the moment, it looks like it will work, I just want to try it for real. This is why I want something cheap (less than 500$, but if I can get the test done for 100$, that's great)!

Thanks for your answer!
Click to expand...

Keep in mind a laser beam has no temperature - there is no inherent "temperature" to a laser beam. Heat is the random motion of matter particles (atomic or molecular particles). A laser beam itself is not made of matter but of photons, which have no mass, thus a laser beam can have no temperature.
"Heat" is caused by a laser beams energy being absorbed by a material surface and turning light energy into heat energy.

Whatever you are attempting may or may not work with any given output, wavelength, or materials you want to heat.
Probably only trial and error will determine if your specific need can be met with any given wavelength or output laser.

Is not a simple thing to determine---many factors are involved.

light matter interactions, see: http://www.princeton.edu/~spikelab/papers/book02.pdf
and
Experimental and theoretical studies of light-to-heat conversion and collective heating effects in metal nanoparticle solutions https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2669497/
 
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Thanks for the suggestion CurtisOliver,

If I am happy with the results and it becomes a permanent part of the process, I won't keep it portable and everything will be shielded to avoid unwanted reflections.

Regards!
 
Thank you Encap for the links I'll check it out.

I am very aware of all the things you mentioned!

Regards!
 
You're welcome Anousee. :)
Good luck with your project.
Just remember to stick to all the safety protocols.
 
Anousse said:
Thanks for the suggestion CurtisOliver,

If I am happy with the results and it becomes a permanent part of the process, I won't keep it portable and everything will be shielded to avoid unwanted reflections.

Regards!
Click to expand...

Once you determine a wavelength and minimum output power density /cm squared that will do the job with the materials system you want to heat, a lab laser with adjustable lab power supply might be a good idea.
That way you can dial in whatever output needed to reach the temperature you want at whatever rate you want to heat the materials and adjust for faster or slower heating time depending on material photon absorbtion limits.

There are some good calculators, if needed, on the Ophir Photonics web site here: http://www.ophiropt.com/laser-measurement-instruments/laser-power-energy-meters/services/power-density-calculator

Go luck with whatever it is you are up to.

Remember safety first--consult a certified laser safety officer (CLSO) and since you are in Canada be aware of the laws regarding lasers in Canada--a CLSO can help you with that aspect also.

Canadian rules and regulations;
" Quick summary: As of June 2011, it is illegal to sell or provide high-powered portable lasers (Class 3B and Class 4) to consumers in Canada.
That means you.
Before the inevitable discussion starts: It doesn't matter what you intend to use them for, or that you already have one, or whether you think that you're not a "consumer" because you think you're a "laser expert", hobbyist, inventor, or whatever. If you are not a scientist working in a laser lab at a University, or a CLSO, or an OEM which is integrating these lasers into other devices for commercial purposes, then you are a consumer. If your organization's primary activity does not involve high-powered lasers, then you are a consumer. If you do not have a clearly-defined commercial or academic requirement for a high-powered portable device, which cannot be fulfilled with a lower-powered or non-portable device, then you are a consumer."
"Now, whether you agree with them or not, Health Canada has classified all portable Class 3B and 4 lasers as "a danger to human health or safety", as defined by the CCPSA. There is no debate to be made about this, it's done and there's little chance of getting them to change their minds"
See: http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/canadian-restrictions-portable-lasers-official-info-release-laserglow-73129.html
 
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I only check "todays posts" anymore, just wish the mobil forum display would allow me to access that link, it only allows "new posts".

Since others might open this link looking for something similar, I will add this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/455-450nm-1...ule-Focusable-DIY-Heatsink-Host-/222415879897

Only thing I have reservations about is the driver which appears to have been made for an LED. Not that it won't work.
 
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Anousse said:
Hi everyone,

...

As you can see, I do not care about wavelength distribution width (or noise), the modes or anything, I just want energy, fast to avoid dissipation. What would you guys suggest to get? I looked at wicked laser's arctic 3.5 W and looked at aliexpress high power lasers. But looking at some threads here, wicked laser has bad reputation and aliexpress gives big numbers and the reality is "low" power output.

This is an R&D project so I want to be able to test it fast (fast shipping to Canada), be sure of what I get, and have something cheap (if it gives good reliable results, money will not be an issue).

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Now I'm going to give my input, you do not need high power laser. You need something that has a High power density, that is measured in watts per square millimeter. I'll give you two of my options.

The practical one:
get a 1W 405nm laser. they have the most focusable beam of pocket lasers, and thus a great solution for you.

The expensive solution:
an ER-YAG laser. This will be expensive, and not easy to find. They do, however, put out an insane amount of power at a ridiculously small area.

I'm not sure what your price range is, but it's good to have options.
 
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