Noob questions for my new HeNe

aryntha · Jun 30, 2010

The glass shouldn't. Unless something is wrong with the laser, or its the sometimes-present conductive tape running down the glass that you actually touched. But, also, the potential voltages between the ends of the tube can arc QUITE far even *outside* of the glass. So, your finger providing a shorter path between anode and cathode could have done the trick.

Eidetic · Jun 30, 2010

I've hit the contacts on a he-ne tube a few times, and you don't want to do it! First time it happened I threw the tube in surprise, a typical response. It arched gracefully across the lab before smashing into the floor.

Long live plasma tubes!!!

kingdave2357 · Jul 5, 2010

532 with Envy said:
SHAZZAAAMMM!!! Thanks again to everyone for the help!......well on my way to a good setup....I think next will be a 532nm HeNe....but until then here are a few pics of it up and running!

Here is a pic of my GreeNe up and running!

Here is the whole thread:http://laserpointerforums.com/f48/543nm-green-bare-tube-hene-52579.html

Maybe now you'll turn 543 with envy, eh? lol

532 with Envy · Aug 7, 2010

So I thought that I would keep my HeNe projects just in the same thread....I have just powered up one of the two small HeNe tubes that I got from Timelablaser through a trade for a Hitachi HeNe laser pointer I had. First off I would like to say the trade went VERY well! He has been a Huge help in my learning of gas lasers and even general electronics understanding. +1 rep for sure and deserves more.

Onward to a few pics....nothing overly exciting, but still, as always, the great lasing of gas lasers! The one shown is 12v with adapter...He also sent a 6v mini brick that I might try to get into something battery powered.
Enjoy!

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532 with Envy · Aug 9, 2010

Alright...here I go with more pics...
Three of my Four HeNe fired up.....still trying to envision a good, somewhat, portable housing for the smaller one.