Need help assuring low-power and correct nm

[Thebraino]

Hi all - very informative forum so far.
I have a project needing accurate (rating), but low power violet lasers.

To convey my current progress, I made a ~2 inch "crystal", measured in some diffusion material, and am trying to accomplish the crystal to be visible with the naked eye.

The beads are diffusing and diffracting a RadioShack 5mw red laser BEAUTIFULLY. Though the camera gets blown out, it just looks like microscopic red dots and in reality is very easy to look at.

Right now, my fear is I can't find any dependable low-milliwatt purple lasers without buying all the measuring tools for when they arrive.

Related - would putting this (http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=281437567116) cut-off filter in front of the beam allow a 405nm beam through, negating some of the risk of cheap lasers? I can't confidently read the spectogram for allowing the violet, but blocking UV < 400.

Edit: following a previously posted link to AixiZ looks very promising, but input/alternatives are still appreciated.
Edit 2: maybe combining a 5mw 450nm with a 1mw 650nm? Seems safer with better visible light and marginal loss in brightness.

 

[NightExplorer96]

Hey braino,

TRUE <5mW 405nm lasers exist but they aren't cheap. LP 405nm 5-80 has some "5mW" verions but they will probably out a little more than that so be aware if you purchase from them.

The filter you linked would only have an effect on the 532nm lasers since those use IR to produce the desired light and without a filter some stray IR can pass through. Using it for a 405nm laser would be null since IR isn't used in this process and it isn't part of the UV spectrum.

-Alex

 

[hakzaw1]

what$$ ^^^ no advice is worse than bad advice-

OP
why not buy a 405 5 mW from HOUSTON Tx- aixiz.com

thay have many P&P to choose from - I like the line 405 very bright for low power- take off the lens and it makes a dot- runs off one rechargeable batt - EZ to make a quicky host-

as far as yr project???-hmmmm-- have fun- that counts too.

some stuff like this seems like a cool idea and sometimes its not so kewl and not safe at all- even 5 mW can leave after-images- if you can keep all the beam always going thru your 'crystal thingy' so none gets around it would be pretty safe-

are you tying to signal the mother ship for a pick-up?? jk

there is always lots of good deals at the 'laser meets'- you have missed several good ones in TX- where ya bean??

a 405 'dichroed' with any red makes a nice magenta- G&R make yellow

^^^ those are all fun experiments for the new members ....:beer::crackup:

 

[Thebraino]

Thank you for the input! I've actually moved on to combining, and just need to find a box host (instead of a cylinder, for mounting and hardwiring purposes) before it starts coming together. I mentioned you over there! Ha. Probably getting the red module from Houston. 405 seemed ideal at first, but I'm just not impressed with the visibility: power ratio as well as increased danger to affecting our ABS model or acrylic crystal.

The project is definitely fun =) Gaurdians of the Galaxy infinity orb, and adding in a magnet to the crystal for some electromagnetic levitation. Here's some of our unpainted 3d print progress:

Next is modeling the clamps to hold the orb and house the laser combiner.

Safety is also why I'm going combine. The crystal truly looks 'red' - no hot spots, visually, and nothing even close to a blink reflex with the diffusion happening. I'd be worried about something so close to UV with this prop replica.

 

[hakzaw1]

of all- the 405 may be the hardest for us to see- especailly in the presence of any other bright lights- it looks weak and harmless BUT its the worst- the beams of most 405 are tight and thus concentrayed- a low power 405 will burn where another color of same mw will not- AND since our eyes see it as NOT a bright light- our eyes are wide open and that makes the danger worse- cheap 532 green laser have the hidden danger if IR- good greens have an IR filter- that is there to block any of the IR that gets past the doubling optic crystal- thoits a pricey- the 27mW 515 aixiz green module is sweet- no need for a lot more heatsinking- ready to use - 3 to 5 vdc-

let mine run for an hour- n/p- BUT they are $85-( FIND THEM IN THE 532 SECTION AT AIXIZ)- you can buy green diodes and a driver and build for cheaper if you dont mess up- nobody else sells this 515 complete module- it was made for AixiZ only.

I really like the 12vdc 'mini lab' series at AixiZ and the 320mW RGB sled is a blast-I am using one of those for 4 different projects- it removes easy -VERY tiny--





yes please do mention me at aixiz- i owe them lots of money ( jk.. I owe favors only)
so all that helps me-- they have no doubt more low power lasers than anyone else- tons of tiny reds- including the worlds smallest- at 1mW-some are very cheap-
some end up on RC quads helis etc--

plz do NOT buy AixiZ at Greedbay or Scamazon- AixiZ sells there for non forum folks-

some items have been in stock so long the prices are far from good- we just ignore those items- we know better- so when those are sold- no more will be gotten.

put your choices in your on-line cart- call Chuck w/ your CCard- and place your order at 1-173-249 4929- 9am til noon weekdays- he may offer free shipping- mention the forums for sure- he likes to hear about stuff we wouild like to see and many items are now there due to requests-

FYI- AixiZ is NOT your 'laser teacher' you need to gain your own skillz- there simolky is too much needed to realistically show sreps to use items- aside from clearly marked diagrams show where to attach power and diodes etc- the spoec sheets are there but no tutorial on how to solder-- i am too aware of all this because when a beginner with zero skillz kills a driver\diode etc they often get sent to me. Its crazy- all they know is what kipkay had at YTube- -- clueless some of them are..

I find it insulting when a beginner expects to learn all needed in a day-I am still learning-

hk's dos centavos solo

 

[Thebraino]

I do plenty of soldering, and currently just stick to phone repair under a microscope. I did my research, thus, no 405s, as stated and re linked to new topic. Not interested in burning things or DJ shows, just another aspect of a project =)
As repeatedly stated: no interest in using the 405s. Only about 5% visibility of the red I've tested with - I understand the UV thing. I've read your, and others', various topics on laser safety, so no need to repeat on this dying thread.

Not using greens, so clearly no immediate IR problems, and not using anything above 5mw (yes, I know it'll go higher when combined).

I see you noticed that quad Close sell on those lasers, but that project's mostly dead, ha. Just sticking to the 1mw for my combining project.

That RGB build is cool! Very easy grab for collectors, it seems. Still, too high-powered for my project. For my box, I'll probably just end up using a cheap project box if nothing metal pops up on the forums. At my low power, a plastic enclosure won't be a big risk with 450 or 650nm.