Challenge: cool experiments with 445nm

[dnar]

As I am yet to complete my RGB projector build, my 445nm labby sits on my bench waiting to produce glorious coherent beams of joy.

Burning things is boring. As are simple motor/mirror spyros.

Here is the challenge. Post your ideas and evidences of other cool experiments using 445nm LD's that do NOT involve burning things. Be creative, have fun.

The gauntlet is dropped.

 

[weeba2kv]

Put 1 445 on a binocular and see how crap the dot looks like @ 1 mile away
Use

and it will give this result





I'm thinking really hard , ok this video with the glass was just to show an idea but it's to dangerous cause the output is way to much to use in a living room or where ever ( maybe with high RPM will do fine lol )
Hmmm what more can we do with lasers...

 

[james1095]

I'm waiting to see someone try pumping a CW dye laser with one or more of these things. It's been done with argon lasers in the past so I suspect that it's possible.

 

[dnar]

I have a cool experiment in mind, I just need to collect enough mirrors, then I'll post the results.

Hint: your typical smoke and mirrors trick.

 

[Kohaku]

buy an optics set from optotronics

 

[Gryphon]

sounds like someones gonna make a laser grid type obstacle course

 

[weeba2kv]

Why buy optic mirrors , you can get the out cheap scanners and overheadprojectors

 

[MojoLA]

Lumia wheel show is my fave use for lasers.

I agree about the burning thing... people put such emphasis on the ability to burn things, you'd think they are getting paid to walk around with a laser and burn as many items as possible.

In reality, for a week you're going to make your friends go "wow" as they watch you smoke a few items then the laser sits doing nothing for a few months until it's time for B/S/T!

 

[LSRFAQ]

I'm waiting to see someone try pumping a CW dye laser with one or more of these things. It's been done with argon lasers in the past so I suspect that it's possible.

Nope, multimode 445 cannot reach the required focused spot size or power density to pump a visible dye.

Steve

 

[Benm]

sounds like someones gonna make a laser grid type obstacle course

Hehe.. with over a watt of beam power, people will at least me motivated to keep out of the beam. Be careful not to set anyones pants on fire

 

[james1095]

Nope, multimode 445 cannot reach the required focused spot size or power density to pump a visible dye.

Steve

How about several of them focused on a single spot? I've never played with dye lasers so I really don't know much about them.

 

[W4NX]

Anyone attempt a hologram with the 445 diodes? Surely ~1W would be enough light to get it done.

 

[james1095]

Don't you need a nice TEM00 beam for that? I think a DPSS would be a much better choice. Larger HeNe heads have dropped sharply in price as well, they are the classic holography laser, I've never tried myself but I've seen some really impressive results. Guess I should give it a go sometime now that laser equipment is so affordable.