Laser "Backboard"

[Quetzal]

I recently ordered a 1W (445nm) laser.

Originally, I was thinking of using it outside only, to limit specular reflections and save my walls from scorch marks

However, I'd really like to use it inside.

I built myself a little "backboard" that I'm thinking of using so that I can use my laser with both hands free, and not have to worry about burning my walls.

Okay, so, materials list:

Front: Cardstock
Layer 2: Multiple folded sheets of Aluminum Foil
Layer 3: Plastic CD case
Layer 4: Multiple folded sheets of Aluminum Foil
Backing: Scotch Tape

Sorry I don't have pics; my camera shoots at the wrong aspect ratio :/

 

[Polonium210]

Hmm... Tinfoil seems like a bad idea to me, your laser will burn through the card stock and be reflected by the tinfoil.

I use a large black heatsink from an old amplifier I took apart for other parts.

 

[Bionic-Badger]

So let me get this straight... you were using your laser outdoors to avoid reflections from specular (shiny) surfaces, but now your solution indoors is to set up a "backboard" with aluminum foil (shiny), plastic CD cases (also reflective and shiny), and scotch tape (possibly shiny) to spare your--probably white-painted--walls from burns?

Are you sure you know what "specular" means? You're setting up an extremely eye-dangerous room. The last thing you should worry about is your walls burning in your setup.

 

[Quetzal]

Okay, I'm perfectly aware of the "shinyness" of those clear plastic coverings on CD cases, which is why I only used the matte inside part.
Also, with the aluminum, used the non-shiny part
And my scotch tape is the dark, not-shiny kind
EDIT---

Of course I know what specular means. If I didn't, I'd have used the word that actually applies.

 

[lasersbee]

Okay, I'm perfectly aware of the "shinyness" of those clear plastic coverings on CD cases, which is why I only used the matte inside part.
Also, with the aluminum, used the non-shiny part
And my scotch tape is the dark, not-shiny kind
EDIT---

Of course I know what specular means. If I didn't, I'd have used the word that actually applies.

Are you serious.....:thinking:

You are using a 1000mW High Powered Class IV Laser...

Wake up and read what you write...

A FLAT BLACK surface is the only immediate solution to
absorbing some of your Laser's Power and NOT reflecting
a large amount of it back into your room.

Then the FLAT BLACK surface needs to be able to handle
(dissipate) the Laser Beam's power (heat) before it damages
the FLAT BLACK surface.

I hope you have appropriate Laser Safety Goggles/Glasses
when you do your "BackBoard" or your next purchase may
be a white cane...

BTW... if you had done a little research on the Forum you
would know that what you need is called a Beam Stop...


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

 

[Cyparagon]

Take a brick; paint it black. Done.

 

[532 with Envy]

Take a brick; paint it black. Done.

Flat black, high heat paint used for wood stoves and such.

Also as Laserbee said a "beam stop" is much better. Something that can take the heat and not wear, but also terminates the beam in a shaft or cone so extra reflections are deflected inside the 'stop'.

From my understanding and My 2 cents...

 

[Quetzal]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Yes, I do have safety glasses.

And I DID search the forum, but I must have missed it.