PSA: Cool down your 589s and check for extra lines!

[Deleted member 42751]

I wish I had one of the 'freak' spartans. Mine seems quite tame, and if it's cold it basically just loses a ton of output power.

It must be one of the older units. Do you ever get any extra lines (even 532)?

 

[Atomicrox]

Sta, how cold do you mean?

 

[Deleted member 42751]

Sta, how cold do you mean?

Depends on your situation!
My Spartan, for example, emits 583.8nm from an ordinary cold start (~67°F)!
But most will have to be actively cooled to achieve multiline behavior.
I'd start by putting it in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes until it's cold to the touch.
I don't know the exact temperature, but DON'T cool it for more than 5-10 minutes, as it could go below the dew point, which would cause moisture to condense on the lens. This won't kill your laser, but it's not healthy for it.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Yeah usually just lightly cooled. Mine will usually do it if it's just below room temperature. Mine will often do it from a cold start just briefly.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Brilliant thread Sta. +rep I bought mine well over a year ago but I will have to give this a go. :beer:

 

[dden4012]

Slight off topic. What is the optimum input voltage for the Spartan? Mine seems to run much better on a cell drained to about 3.5v. I looked around for a different battery option and came across the size A 2/3 nimh battery. 1.2v x 2 would this be to low?

 

[ultimatekaiser]

2.7-4V usually is most typical for most cni lasers...but it depends on how it was configured at the factory. These consume only a couple amps of current so they can tolerate a bit higher voltage.

 

[MrMcChicken]

I got a 50mW Spartan a few months ago. I let it cool down outside, but it does not emit any extra lines. Just 589nm and the regular modehopping occurs.

 

[CynicalBrad]

Got my spartan in today and I am getting 4 or 5 lines when chilled. Was trying to get pics and saw a second >589 pop in for less than a second and one that stays pretty well above 589 as well as two that stay <589 while chilled.

The bottoms 2 lines below 589 stay while pretty cold the top line is in an out but stays for ~15 seconds and one more popped in above it momentarily.

 

[Deleted member 42751]

Got my spartan in today and I am getting 4 or 5 lines when chilled. Was trying to get pics and saw a second >589 pop in for less than a second and one that stays pretty well above 589 as well as two that stay <589 while chilled.

Impressive! Does the main line ever shift, or is 589 always the primary emission?

 

[CynicalBrad]

Just added a picture. Chilling it again now to try to get video.
I have to adjust the settings on my phone camera to avoid it washing out but that very bottom line was pretty bright.

 

[Deleted member 42751]

Just added a picture. Chilling it again now to try to get video.
I have to adjust the settings on my phone camera to avoid it washing out but that very bottom line was pretty bright.

Interesting! Seems like you've got 583.8-586.2-589-591-593.5, all of the usual culprits.

 

[CynicalBrad]

Nice. That picture is about the best I got. My phone sucks for video. Although at one point on this run, the 583.8 line was almost as bright as the 589 line.
Also to note is this is a newer spartan. Sadly not way overspec like some of the old ones were, but still capable of multi-line operation.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Congrats CynicalBrad. If only I could invest in a newer spartan. Then I'll have a higher power single line and hopefully a multi line. Enjoy! :beer:

 

[CynicalBrad]

Congrats CynicalBrad. If only I could invest in a newer spartan. Then I'll have a higher power single line and hopefully a multi line. Enjoy! :beer:

I plan to. I will have to recharge my batteries and re-meter/line check it too though. noticed that it seems brighter with a fresher battery than the one I played with already before I got my meter and grating out.

 

[10fenny]

Hmm I'll have to try this with my 589. It mode hops like crazy when I first turn it on. Well see what chilling does.