I stumbled across this sticky and I know it is old and being very complete as to how hard it is to build these things and all. Are there any posts on how to do it and resources to where to get parts and help. What about a page about how to successfully build a huge multiwatt powerful system. I have a YAG head and I would like to build a green laser from that. but no resources to find out who made it where to get a power supply or how to build one. I have a large frame argon that has a broken tube in it. it's got a great resonator and great platform to construct something I wish there was a forum on here on how to build something huge and help with it some positive encouragement and all that. if there is such a place please let me know
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So you wanna build a green laser...
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diachi
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You want to build something multi-watt? How much time and money do you have?
Watch this - DIY multiwatt DPSS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp9hliLJjg4
Sam's Laser FAQ has much of the information you seek in the Home-Built DPSS section. There's a lot of reading, and it still doesn't cover everything you need to know.
Building something that puts out 100mW with bonded crystals is simple, building something >500mW is starting to move up to another level.
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qumefox
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Not to mention the fact that it's exceedingly dangerous. There is going to be a whole lot of invisible IR bouncing around in the cavity (and likely stray output from the pump as well) and also on the output if an IR filter isn't used.
Also his argon cavity is of no use whatsoever. Not only is the cavity length going to be wrong, the mirror coatings aren't going to be appropriate for 1064/532.
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I love a challenge. I rebuild buses and that is one hell of a challenge. As per my old argon head... I was asking in general what can be done with a dead head. I wasn't thinking of using it for a large DPSS laser build. I have a YAG head and of course, I need help from more experienced folks. I truly totally understand the dangers of YAG lasers and scattered radiation high voltages and all. I am an electrician and work mainly on factory machinery and I am certified to 13,500 so that is no worries as I hold a high respect for electricity and radiation and laser radiation. I treat lasers as a loaded gun. especially the high powered stuff. I also wanted a post thread of being positive. anybody can say how hard it is they tell me how hard it is to play the banjo,, I am glad they told me that AFTER I learned how to play. It is much more hopeful and positive to say yeah it's hard but you can do it. I will do it and have fun doing it.
diachi
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Yeah, need glasses for 532/808/1064, although I don't know if I'd go as far as "exceedingly" dangerous, at least not to anyone with some experience and money invested in good safety glasses. No HV to deal with going DPSS, which is nice. Additional IR filter on the output doesn't hurt for sure.
All this safety information and warnings are on the FAQ to be fair...
His Ar frame is a good base for a BIG YAG if he has the machining skills, but of course, optics need to be changed too.
It's hard sure, but I'm sure you can learn how to do it.
But how much time and money are you willing to spend to make it work? It's not just learning about the optics/mechanics/physics - depending on what you want to achieve you'll also need to invest some serious time and money.
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qumefox
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I consider it exceedingly dangerous just like I do any other high power laser, because frankly i'm kind of attached to my eyeballs and would like them to remain in their current operating condition.
I kind of get the feeling though that dressur is more looking for a step by step how to guide and someone to tell him exactly what he needs to do more than anything else. Which doesn't exist because few in the laser hobby have the finances, much less the time and patience, to build a really high power DPSS. Those who can afford them generally just buy them, which honestly is probably the cheaper route after all the time and trial and error is factored in. I know a lot of things can be done yourself cheaper, but DPSS lasers aren't really one of them unless you just happen to design them for a living.
I kind of get the feeling though that dressur is more looking for a step by step how to guide and someone to tell him exactly what he needs to do more than anything else. Which doesn't exist because few in the laser hobby have the finances, much less the time and patience, to build a really high power DPSS. Those who can afford them generally just buy them, which honestly is probably the cheaper route after all the time and trial and error is factored in. I know a lot of things can be done yourself cheaper, but DPSS lasers aren't really one of them unless you just happen to design them for a living.
I was more saying how easy it is to state how hard something is. how foolish it is to embark on something more involved than we would like I am bored of 200 MW lasers I want a lot of power I have three motorcoaches and they have huge diesel engines with fan belts. I am a musician and I don't want to lose my fingers, so I know the dangers of fan belts but that doesn't stop me from enjoying my buses. I just won't put my hands in the running engine. I was saying could someone post a step by step diary of how they went about it I will look through SAMS and see what I can dig up. I have a real nice YAG head removed from a medical apparatus and what could I do with that? I want to learn and asking reading and all helps I am sure I won't be able to do it and probably won't try but I may. who knows