Noob laser building questions

[Zar]

Hello, I've been lurking for a long while, finally decided that I will make my own laser this summer, and from what I read on forum you guys have guys who can make a housing, etc etc. So I figured this is the place to start.

I was intending on getting 405nm first, then I found out about 445nm, then when I recently saw you guys, of all, have 462nm, then I saw some stress test you guys have done and decided I would need a driver that could give me output of 2.6-2.7A (most likely 2.6A, unless I see graph for 2.7A)

1. Reason I think I want 2.6A is because Mr. rhd has done the tests (attached pic) and it seems like those currents produce the most lumens, which is what we see on the Y-Axis, right? I might be wrong, I would love to see the graph of 2.7A

2. My question is, which of these do I get, what is the difference between 3 Axis lens, and G2 lens, and whats the difference between G2 standard and extended barrel for G2 lens? Will it focus? I only need infinity.

3. I think Lazeer makes the drivers, how would I get my hands on Lazeer driver? How would I configure it to the current of choice? (I have the multimeter)

4. I want to use small portable body, the smaller the better, not sure about design yet, I might get one of you guys to make a body for me.

Sorry if I said something stupid, I am not good at these things yet

PS. I am aware of laser safety, FAA etc etc. From my own experience learned that shining dying 1-5mW china made keychain red laser will blind you for 5 minutes, now now, I was 10 years old at the time.

 

[Zar]

anyone?:/

 

[ARG]

1. The y axis is intensity. I think it's a unitless dimension of proportionality.

2. G2 gives more power as there is less elements. Extended lens barrel is longer.

3. Not entirely sure besides lazeerer himself (currently busy IIRC)

 

[dubious speculation]

1. The y axis as ARG said is a unitless measurement. Meaning that it does not represent actual power in mW. This diode is all about the wavelength it produces and much less about how much power it outputs. If you want the most power out of this diode I would suggest staying at or under 2 amps, see this thread for power measurements. I would only drive this diode at more than 2 amps if all one cared about was the higher wavelength. At these drive currents power is reduced and expected lifetime will most likely be shorter.

2. The G2 lens option will give more power but with greater divergence. Get the the 3 elem lens if you care more about divergence than power.

3. Both DTR and Flaminpyro sell lazeerer's drivers. Your driver of choice will depend on what battery configuration you desire.
With two Li-ions in series you will need a buck driver. With a single Li-ion you will need a boost driver.

4. Check out the BST section of the forum to look for a host. There is bound to be something there that piques your interest.

 

[Zar]

1. I will just pretend its luments and test it out myself once I have the driver and diode on hands to see which is brighter, but thank you

2. seems like ill be getting both, but 3 element first, is the 3 element lens made of glass? or plastic?

3.can current be adjusted on the optional driver than comes with the 462nm? or am i better off getting lazeer driver? can current be adjusted on that too?

 

[IsaacT]

2.7A will be a lower power than 2.2A or 2.4A because it is past that diode's efficiency. As for lens I would go with the 3 element.

 

[Zar]

thanks man, seems like ill be going with 3 element, and most likely 2.4 or 2.5A's

 

[Zar]

sorry have been off, pretty busy at school, but don't worry guys I am serious about this and I am gathering some more info on designs etc right now I want to share this multimeter

can you tell me if its good for the job? just to make sure everything is running well, would this do? I dont have another one, and it shows resistance perfectly well, after I calibrated it
the company now makes valve amplifiers apparently, but its korean so should be good?