My Best HeNe Output So Far

[daguin]

In my continuing quest for Helium/Neon output, I came across this old used laser. The price was pretty good W/PSU and the seller said that his LPM only went to 30mW so it was at least 30mW.

It is a "Spectral" model RMM 355L. I haven't done any research on it yet. It is 35 inches long. The tube is in a 2.25 inch square, aluminum housing. It has an alden plug. It is powered by 3.5KVDC @ 7.5mA

The seller worried me a bit when he immediately replied that he didn't have a box big enough. However, he came through fairly quickly.

Here's the packaging

This is what was inside surrounded by peanuts and shredding

The laser and PSU

The beam shot in a fairly well lit room

The beam is actually multi-mode, but it is still pretty tight and VERY round

It started out at ~39mW, but after warming up it settled in at 43mW for the long haul

I guess my 19mW will be heading for the sales floor soon, eh?

Peace,
dave

 

[Alshere]

Sweet is all I can say.

So can it pop a ballon?

 

[photonaholic]

I am envious Dave, That is one awesome HeNe.

And to see the beam with lights on and without a big cloud of smoke or fog, That's just impressive.

 

[Tech_Junkie]

I am envious Dave, That is one awesome HeNe.

And to see the beam with lights on and without a big cloud of smoke or fog, That's just impressive.

He's got some smoke for sure. :eg:

 

[photonaholic]

Ya know, the more I stare at that beam shot, there is some "help" there.

The evidence lies in the varying intensity along the line. Especially apparent where the wood cabinet is behind the beam.

 

[Tech_Junkie]

More to the fact its only a 43mW red beam. Even a 200mW red beam is hard to see without assistance.

 

[photonaholic]

So far I have never seen a HeNe greater than 6 MW in person.

Even in the dark, I need to add smoke to see a line.

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Yeah thats a monster for a HeNe. I'm sure Dave has a special pillow for it on his bed.

:crackup::crackup::crackup:

 

[MarioMaster]

Yeah thats a monster for a HeNe. I'm sure Dave has a special pillow for it on his bed.

:crackup::crackup::crackup:

My new Spectra Physics HeNes at 30mW and 50mW respectively indeed have visible beams without any help. 632nm is a lot brighter than 650

I've actually taken it outside and shined it around like a pointer (while probably looking like an idiot) but it was worth it

@ Dave: that's a pretty sweet output, shame you can't enjoy all the beautiful plasma inside the tube

 

[Tech_Junkie]

I didnt think 18nm would make that big of a difference. Do you smoke?

 

[MarioMaster]

I didnt think 18nm would make that big of a difference. Do you smoke?

Nope


18 characters

 

[Tech_Junkie]

Do you use Gold Bond for damp balls?

 

[Deleted member 8382]

well, 18 nm keeping in mind the Gaussian bell in which the visibility is based sounds like a big difference to me, like 3x times!

 

[lasersbee]

Do you use Gold Bond for damp balls?

^^^^:crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup:^^^^


@ Dave... that's a lot of 632.8 photons... Nice deal..


Jerry

 

[Tech_Junkie]

well, 18 nm keeping in mind the Gaussian bell in which the visibility is based sounds like a big difference to me, like 3x times!

If the peak was 100% and 650nm was 5%, it only looks like 3-4% increase to me. But I'm a layman so I could be wrong.

 

[MarioMaster]

This is exaggerated, but it's quite visible to the eye - no smoke/fog/powder/anything, except normal dust in the air