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- Aug 29, 2013
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So I really like computers, and I really like lasers. Those are my two big hobbies right now. I want to merge the two and put a laser inside of my next computer case. I'm also going to put water cooling into this system... More for the looks than the overclocking. 
I'm not quite sure how the effect is going to work yet, but I'll probably use some mirrors and bounce the laser's beam a few times. If I can incorporate the laser with the water somehow without getting dangerous, I might go that route.
I'd like to get a visible beam, but not stupidly powerful. Even so, I think most any laser with a visible beam is going to generate plenty of heat, and therefore impose a duty cycle. Now, I could use a small computer to turn the laser on and off at programmed intervals if it came down to that. What I'd prefer though, would be to keep the laser on 24/7- Not even sure if that's possible. I was thinking about installing the diode into one of these heatsinks and then using thermal adhesive and some long bolts to mount it to a water block. Then it gets water pumped through it along with the rest of the computer components. The system should keep the water block at about room temperature even with a heavy load.
Here's the questions:
1.) Would I be able to keep the laser on non-stop if I cooled it adequately? If not, how long could I keep it on at a time?
2.) If it would work, how long would I expect a laser diode to last before I had to replace it?
3.) Any recommendations on a wavelength and power level to get a visible beam inside of a fairly dark computer case? A 445nm would look good with the color scheme, but I don't think one of those would be very safe as a show piece.
Thanks, and please forgive my ignorance! :beer:
I'm not quite sure how the effect is going to work yet, but I'll probably use some mirrors and bounce the laser's beam a few times. If I can incorporate the laser with the water somehow without getting dangerous, I might go that route.I'd like to get a visible beam, but not stupidly powerful. Even so, I think most any laser with a visible beam is going to generate plenty of heat, and therefore impose a duty cycle. Now, I could use a small computer to turn the laser on and off at programmed intervals if it came down to that. What I'd prefer though, would be to keep the laser on 24/7- Not even sure if that's possible. I was thinking about installing the diode into one of these heatsinks and then using thermal adhesive and some long bolts to mount it to a water block. Then it gets water pumped through it along with the rest of the computer components. The system should keep the water block at about room temperature even with a heavy load.
Here's the questions:
1.) Would I be able to keep the laser on non-stop if I cooled it adequately? If not, how long could I keep it on at a time?
2.) If it would work, how long would I expect a laser diode to last before I had to replace it?
3.) Any recommendations on a wavelength and power level to get a visible beam inside of a fairly dark computer case? A 445nm would look good with the color scheme, but I don't think one of those would be very safe as a show piece.
Thanks, and please forgive my ignorance! :beer:
