Safe Backdrops

[LarryQ]

What would be the safest thing or material to use for a non reflective backdrop for performing laser experiments?

Just shining my Nova X-105 on to a wall shines off quite a bit of light...Way too much for non protected eyes (if someone walks in while the laser is in use)

Even a dark flat surface doesn't seem to keep things at a comfortable level.

There has to be a material designed to "absorb" the energy, and dissipate it as heat (without Bursting into flames).

Until I find an acceptable solution, my laser use is going to be cut WAY BACK!

I was thinking that sealed box with an apature hole in one side would work...

But aiming at a Hole 1-2 inches square has it's drawbacks as well...


LarryQ

 

[LarryQ]

No One has come up with an acceptable Backdrop for rtheir lasers???

Come on!!!!

I'm not talking a Lab Quality device.....

I'm talking a good Laser radiation absorbtion material that we can pile up to Catch the beam....

Anyone??

 

[Angdvl089]

Something colored red or black. Just some red or black fabric from walmart should work. As long as you'll be like 3-4 feet away from it.

 

[Things]

maybe a non flammable black shheting? maybe black plastic?

 

[Angdvl089]

It's have to be ABS if you wanna use plastic and it'd probably still burn. I think you'll be safe with a few sheets of fabric...maybe 3 or 4 thick.

 

[Things]

if your far enough away from it, it shouldn't burn. it may just slightly start to melt if you keep the laser steady enough, but it won't burst into flames like cloth would!

 

[Morepower]

Just use a black anodised alluminium heat sink if your worried about it. If it's a flat-white wall you are terminating the beam on, while it will be bright, it won't cause you any harm. Gloss-white, however, is another story.

 

[Things]

a black anodised heatsink will work provided you have one, and the aera you want to shine the laser is small

 

[Things]

actually black plastic should work, and the worst thing you can do to it is melt it, it won't catch on fire or anything like cloth might. thats if you can hold the laser still enough to get it to melt?

 

[paper183]

Wet black cloth hanging on the wall ? ;D

 

[Aseras]

I was going to post last night but my wireless modem crapped out when I hit submit.

For less then about 200mw a piece of black felt will be ok. You can get it cheap at fabric stores.

The black felt is still good for even higher, you just can't get to close. If it's on the wall on the other side of the room about 8 feet away or more, you should be fine up to 500mw. Just be careful if you use lenses.

 

[yew.sir-name]

the black rubbery underside of a mouse mat?

 

[SenKat]

Why not just hang a sign on the door whenever you are operating the lasers ? soemthing to the effect of, "Laserring in progress - do not look at bright sparkly stuff with remaining good eye"

G !

 

[timelord]

.

 

[Merlous]

Or how about

                DO NOT ENTER.
              Lasering In Progress.
Or this will be the last thing you will ever see.

 

[LarryQ]

I like the sign idea...

But I also want to be PROACTIVE about dealing with the light.

So far the black felt and black backing of a mousepad sound good...

THo both still reflect a significant amount of light...

Since they can make laser goggles that Absorb laser radiation at certain Freq. rather then letting it pass through, I thought that a pannel of the same material would be perfect!

LarryQ