I agree that there are a LOT of subdivisions, and I really like the idea of combining the UV, IR, and Yellow sections into one "other colors" category, since probably 90% of the posts seem to be in the R, G or B category.
I see optics as a technical discussion about collimation lenses, using polarized cube beamsplitter/combiners, etc. Not necessarily in a "show" fashion - My personal plans are all about using optics to create higher-power beams through beam combining and collimation - I plan to use my laser to cut things, not for a show capacity (although I'm sure I'll make a show out of my cool hand-held laser knife any opportunity I safely get, but I digress
). I just see optics as very different from shows. I'm planning two specific informational posts - one is a comprehensive listing of optics vendors, and another is a bunch of cool optics stuff I learned from an optician friend of mine - what diopters mean, and what the math is for using them - focal distances, etc. I hope to see this added to so we can ALL increase our technical knowlegde of optics, and I for one would love to be able to design my custom optical systems from knowledge, [highlight]rather than dumping out a pile of lenses and sticking them in the beam to figure out if it will do what I want it to or not!
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So - my vote - combine all lasers not R, G, or B; Create a separate Optics subdivision. Can that work?
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!
Dave