Simple DIY 337nm laser from air! (TEA nitrogen laser)

[styropyro]

The TEA nitrogen laser was one of the very first DIY laser designs to be built by many hobbyists around the world. Scientific American published plans for a simple N2 laser in the 1970s, and since then there have been many other iterations by hobbyists. This is a very easy build that I recommend for anybody wanting to experiment with a UV laser beam!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1psxE4NlECQ

 

[diachi]

Another nice video! :beer:

 

[Gazen]

I might be giving that a try
Nice video :gj:

 

[steve001]

I was impressed, more so when you mentioned peak power of 1 mega-watt. Then you said it couldn't burn and I wasn't impressed no more. ;-)

 

[paul1598419]

Nice video, styropyro. I've seen these N2 lasers many times before this video, but it was still worth the watch. :thanks:

 

[Emialias]

i actually made one of these a while ago before i totally broke some sort of electrical thing in the house which caused power to be cut to the entire upstairs lmfao! ill probably try making another one sometime soon when i can take a more professional approach and maybe make a safer design for both me and the house

 

[BowtieGuy]

Cool, looks like a fun project to try, Styro, thanks for making and sharing this video with us!
:gj:

 

[NightExplorer96]

Cool video! Thanks for showing us.

-Alex

 

[Blarg King]

Always wanted to build one, but I'm fairly certain no matter the precautions I take Ill somehow end up tasing myself and ending up on the floor twitching.

 

[CynicalBrad]

Always wanted to build one, but I'm fairly certain no matter the precautions I take Ill somehow end up tasing myself and ending up on the floor twitching.

LMAO. Same. Or i'd drive everyone crazy with the popping from the sparks. (myself included) :crackup:

 

[Anthony P]

The N2 laser power supply probably won't really hurt you... but it will make you spit out your chewing gum.
I did a N2 last year similar to sci am. I added uv enhanced concave mirror at what you might call the HR end with a 20" fl. At the output I added a quartz cylinder lens 2" fl to focus on a small 1" dye cell. Rhodamine 590 worked fantastic. coumarin also worked but less intense. A convex collimating lens is necessary on dye cell output. The dye cell seemed to work best without resonator mirrors.