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But they draw very little power so I can't imagine an electric heater unless it's a simpl coil around the module.
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ArcticMyst Security by Avery
Red laser not working after cold weather
- Thread starter Crazlaser
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Benm
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Most power resistors are just 'coils of wire', usually set in some kind of insulating ceramic material. These things are really inexpensive and -could- be a good solution for operating a DPSS laser in a cold environment where power is amply available (i.e. mains power operation).
If implemented well, with a proper thermostat etc this actually works and is used in real world serious applications.
Something similar is even used in professional equipment, where TEC's are used to cool or heat pump diodes to keep their wavelength optimally matched to the optical stage beyond.
That equipment is usually quite large though (think in the order of size and weight of a washing machine), and usually outputs several watts of light in exotic wavelengths.
This does not mean it cannot be applied to much simpler and cheaper systems though. If you have an ornamental laser that is the size of a beer can and works best at 25 celcius, it's entirely feasible to heat that up using power resistors in a cold (winter backyard) environment at very low component cost.
If implemented well, with a proper thermostat etc this actually works and is used in real world serious applications.
Something similar is even used in professional equipment, where TEC's are used to cool or heat pump diodes to keep their wavelength optimally matched to the optical stage beyond.
That equipment is usually quite large though (think in the order of size and weight of a washing machine), and usually outputs several watts of light in exotic wavelengths.
This does not mean it cannot be applied to much simpler and cheaper systems though. If you have an ornamental laser that is the size of a beer can and works best at 25 celcius, it's entirely feasible to heat that up using power resistors in a cold (winter backyard) environment at very low component cost.
