Scared of messed up m140 diode

[upaa27]

Those beam specs actually sound good if you aren't using a lens. Also dust on the window usually doesn't dramatically make the dot change in overall shape(that is the problem from what I am hearing). Check the lens and make sure you didn't screw it all the way in.

Also if you previously fired it with no heat sink or just the module it can do bad things to the diode. Especially to a 5.6mm

 

[DTR]

Lot of guess work going on here but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Can you post a picture of the raw output on the wall without a lens? Maybe we can better see what is going on. Like this.

 

[USAbro]

Okay, the top image you posted is what it used to look like. Now it looks like this.

If the image is not clear, ask and I'll take another. Yes all that discusting blur in the blue is real, that is what it looks like but I can now see no physical damge to the diode. It still has a beam with the lens just horrible divergence and a "corona" type secondary beam outside of the main beam.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

It looks a bit dirty. Somehow dust and
contamination must have gotten inside.

 

[USAbro]

Maybe. Is it possible to remove the window and clean?

 

[ChaosLord]

No. You can decan the diode, but the window is inside the diode's can. So it's pull the whole can off, or try to clean it agian.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

If there's dirt in there, then there is
probably dirt on the lens as well.
Depending on the unit, you can put some
isopropanol and distilled water down in
there to try and clean it out.

 

[USAbro]

If there's dirt in there, then there is
probably dirt on the lens as well.
Depending on the unit, you can put some
isopropanol and distilled water down in
there to try and clean it out.

Put it in the diode?

Is it possible it is a scratch?

 

[DTR]

To clean diode windows I use a Q-tip and 90% Isopropyl. Get one side wet and then gently scrub the diode window with the wet side, repeat with the dry side and immediately blow it out with condensed air or gently with your breath but compressed air is better. Repeat a few times each with a new Q-tip and see if it comes clean.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

It could have been scratched by the Q-tip.
They aren't really designed to be cleaned.
It's just a measure that can be taken as a
last resort.

 

[DTR]

Never scratched a lens with a Q-tip. Only issue you may find is if pressed too hard you can break the window out or it may just not come clean if run too long in this state and the glass has melted.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

I have run into the problem where a tiny
fiber from the Q-tip breaks off and gets
lodged in front of the diode window.

 

[USAbro]

Okay guys. So this is what I think.

I can still see a smuge on the window that won't come off with the q-tips. Right in the middle of the window. Very small. Using 30x magnification.

While the lens was off I tried shining it on a piece of paper which emmited smoke.

Could the smoke have left a residue?
These kind of foolish mistakes should be warned against. I hope this works out.

I have tried the 90% alcohol.

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

:tsk: :spank:
There is a warning. It's listed right in the
mistakes thread.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/learn-mistakes-can-happen-anybody-50044-13.html#post1242167

 

[USAbro]

:tsk: :spank:
There is a warning. It's listed right in the
mistakes thread.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/learn-mistakes-can-happen-anybody-50044-13.html#post1242167

Good!

Edit: Holy ........... You gotta be kidding me. "Don't ever try to burn anything with a bare diode." So is this the problem. What should I do?!?! It won't come off with the q-tip. I can't afford a new one.

 

[ChaosLord]

The absolute last resort, is to decan it. You may be at that point if you did get smoke residue on the diode window.