Search results

What would you say the threshold power density for laser air ionization is? I know the value changes with wavelength and air quality. This pdf seems to describe alot of the mathematics, but I haven't dug through it yet...

I just came across this scientific paper. From what I can gather from the abstract, it seems to describe exactly what I'm looking for. The size is about the size of my palm. The only thing I'm not sure about is the repetition rate. I'm planning to buy the paper soon. Here's the paper: IEEE...

It sounds improbable, but I have two ideas. 1: shorten pulse duration. If it is possible to build a system with shorter pulse durations while outputting the same amout of energy, then the peak power would rise. From what I can tell, ssy-1 lasers seem to have a relatively long pulse duration...

Please don't be concerned! I'm not planning on doing anything nefarious. Honestly, I just find the entire phenomenon fascinating. Right now I'm more concered if it is possible. No, I am not attempting to make a laser gun. And I've heard more than enough horror stories to make me aware of the...

I really want to build a laser that is capable of causeing air ionization in a pointer sized package. I'm thinking somesort of q switched diode pumped solid state laser. The plasma would only need to form at the focal point of the lens that I would use with the device. I've seen some similar...

Oh my gosh! Are you THE AnselmoFanZero, YouTube sensation and creator of the Iron Man laser glove? Your like a legend! Although I'm not surprised to see you on laser pointer forums. Only the best!

May I point you in the direction of patent number 7675731. "Tunable and aimable artifical lightning device". Just skim through the patent so you can understand what its talking about. Its quite different from the device the original poster was talking about, but produces a similar effect. Google...

Thanks for all your clarification on this. You've done a good job explaining it to me (and slightly crushing my dreams of a handheld laser capable of creating air breakdown). I guess the only question left to ask would be: is a handheld laser capable of laser induced breakdown even possible? I...

This might be completely wrong, but shouldn't pointer sized air ionization be easy since the average output power is only 60mW. I've seen pointer sized systems capable of much higher outputs that 60mW, although they were in CW and not pulsed output.

Light does create some force, albeit small. In space this can be useful for "solar sails". Check out this video on solar sails: Sailing in Space - YouTube

I thought the big box was the power supply to get the electricity from the wall down something more manageable. If it is a fibre, then why run it all the way to something that looks like a pointer? Doesn't make more sense to just have the entire system built as one box? Considering that it has...

It looks like my Youtube window wasn't working, so here is a link: Passive Q-Switched Laser - YouTube

Hey! I'm new around these forums, but I think I already know a fair amount of laser terminology, so don't be afraid to get technical. I came across this the other day: Passive Q-Switched Laser - Lasers & Laser Accessories - Catalog - Opto-Mechanical Products - Standa Youtube...