New Argon Ion laser

[daguin]

I need to get a working DMM, I also have manuals for the PSU so I can check the pins later. I think the other 3 lines will show up if I crank up the power too. For now I'ma leave it, since I'm having fun anyway  
-Adam

For this application a really cheap DMM would do.

But you are right.

Who cares?

You've got gassy goodness heating up the house

Peace,
dave

 

[diachi]

[quote author=Diachi link=1226090070/20#31 date=1226336574]
I need to get a working DMM, I also have manuals for the PSU so I can check the pins later. I think the other 3 lines will show up if I crank up the power too. For now I'ma leave it, since I'm having fun anyway
-Adam

For this application a really cheap DMM would do.

But you are right.

Who cares?

You've got gassy goodness heating up the house with all the windows open :

Peace,
dave[/quote]

Fixed that last bit

I hope I have more " gassy goodness " heating up the house soon ;D and that doesn't mean I want a clone of my dad walking about !

-Adam

 

[Cyparagon]

By the way, light mode is better for the laser. Deadly plasma oscillations are undetectable by the PSU in current mode. There are a few other reasons I can't remember at the moment.

 

[diachi]

By the way, light mode is better for the laser. Deadly plasma oscillations are undetectable by the PSU in current mode. There are a few other reasons I can't remember at the moment.

Yeah I figured it would be

 

[GooeyGus]

I really don't think either way is better or worse for the laser. Light mode is just keeping the output level constant by altering the current, and current is just holding the current where one sets it, regardless of output. I don't think oscillations are a really big concern in these tiny tubes. The tubes are built and warrantied to run in either mode, so I cant imagine one being much worse for it than the other.

 

[diachi]

I really don't think either way is better or worse for the laser. Light mode is just keeping the output level constant by altering the current, and current is just holding the current where one sets it, regardless of output. I don't think oscillations are a really big concern in these tiny tubes. The tubes are built and warrantied to run in either mode, so I cant imagine one being much worse for it than the other.

Light control only allows a maximum of 60mW though, so you can't damage the high power tubes with too much current if you use light control.

-Adam

 

[GooeyGus]

[quote author=GooeyGus link=1226090070/20#36 date=1226447541]I really don't think either way is better or worse for the laser. Light mode is just keeping the output level constant by altering the current, and current is just holding the current where one sets it, regardless of output. I don't think oscillations are a really big concern in these tiny tubes. The tubes are built and warrantied to run in either mode, so I cant imagine one being much worse for it than the other.

Light control only allows a maximum of 60mW though, so you can't damage the high power tubes with too much current if you use light control.

-Adam[/quote]

True. Although most of the small cyonics/uniphase/JDS tubes are rated for 10A, they aren't designed to be ran at 10A for long periods of time. 60mW is a safe level for continuous operation though.

 

[r34p3rex]

wow i never realized how pretty argon lasers look xD is that 488nm? and where can i get one of these beasts

 

[daguin]

wow i never realized how pretty argon lasers look xD is that 488nm? and where can i get one of these beasts

Diachi's  new one is a multi-line.

This is 488nm

If you're interested, I have one, with a PSU for $200, plus shipping.  These things are heavy.  Figure shipping a 25 pound (11.5 kg) package from 91786 (US)

Peace,
dave

 

[diachi]

have a look on eBay for one , thats your best bet

-Adam

 

[r34p3rex]

[quote author=r34p3rex link=1226090070/20#39 date=1226771725]wow i never realized how pretty argon lasers look xD is that 488nm? and where can i get one of these beasts

Diachi's  new one is a multi-line.

This is 488nm

If you're interested, I have one, with a PSU for $200, plus shipping.  These things are heavy.  Figure shipping a 25 pound (11.5 kg) package from 91786 (US)

Peace,
dave[/quote]

oh dave why do you have to live on the other side of the country???

how much power is that outputting? i might buy it later on when i get more money to spend on lasers xD

 

[daguin]

yeah thats 488nm , though there are other lines there, you just don't see them until you split them up with a prism.

have a look on eBay for one , thats your best bet  

-Adam

488nm is one "line" of color in the multi-line.

Multi-line beam color:

488nm beam color:

Peace,
dave

 

[diachi]

yeah I just realized that, the multiline beam color is more of a greenish blue/cyan than a blue/cyan. I can see the 488nm line when I split up the lines, and rather than being greenish blue/cyan it's just blue/cyan.

-Adam

 

[daguin]

oh dave why do you have to live on the other side of the country???
how much power is that outputting? i might buy it later on when i get more money to spend on lasers xD

'Cause this is where my grandchildren live

The one I will be listing in the clearance sale puts out 50mW at 10A. It has one of the nicest beams I have seen as well.

I'm putting a couple of the newly built handhelds through "hell week" right now. When that is done, I'll list everything in the "clearance sale." If you want me to hold this for you I will, but you've got to let me know.

Peace,
dave

 

[diachi]

Well I finally just got round to measuring the tube current.

10A !!! all the time, seems light mode isn't working ! and I'm only getting 3 lines meaning the mirrors might be out of alignment.

The power sensor also isn't working, I can tell because the power wont vary when I turn my pot, and I also can't get a power reading through pins 8 and 11 on my PSU.

I'll need to open it up later and try get some more power out of it and fix that sensor !

-Adam

 

[daguin]

Well I finally just got round to measuring the tube current.
10A !!! all the time, seems light mode isn't working ! and I'm only getting 3 lines meaning the mirrors might be out of alignment.
The power sensor also isn't working, I can tell because the power wont vary when I turn my pot, and I also can't get a power reading through pins 8 and 11 on my PSU.
I'll need to open it up later and try get some more power out of it and fix that sensor !
-Adam

Three lines at 10A

Ouch!

At least yours is lasing. Some (quite a few) of the old argon lasers for sale on eBay don't/won't lase. Buying these is a gamble at best. This is especially true for an "untested" or "as-is" laser. Beam shots of the exact laser you are getting are VERY important with old gas lasers. Getting a matching PSU is also very good. Most used gas lasers sold on eBay are just the laser being sold by someone who got it in a pile of "junk" they bought from some "recycler" type business.

Peace,
dave