More recently, the manufacture of a laser system, even of low power, has been associated with certain difficulties. It was necessary to find a crystal, develop and assemble a pumping circuit, etc. It was almost impossible for a beginner amateur radio. With the development of innovative technologies, it became possible to get a beam in a home laboratory. The industry produces miniature devices capable of generating the desired radiation - this is the so-called laser diode. A sufficiently high output optical power and good operating parameters of the device allow its use in measuring high-precision devices in production, medicine or everyday life. These are well-known level gauges, pointers, “cutters” for DVDs, etc.
The appearance of this new element has revolutionized the design of electronic devices of varying degrees of complexity. Powerful laser diodes are able to generate a beam, with which it became possible to perform
eye surgery. He has already helped many millions of people regain their lost sight. Correction and restoration of the lens has become an ordinary operation for many clinics. Such a beam is capable of producing all the necessary work to restore vision in a matter of seconds.
Such a laser diode is used in measuring instruments in production and in everyday life. With it, you can quickly adjust the level during the construction of an object of any complexity. It is used in the measurement of engine speed in production, is involved in the operation of control and protection schemes in the technological process.
On an industrial scale, devices of this class of various capacities are produced. You can purchase a
laser diode with an optical power of 8 watts.
This is enough to assemble at home a small, portable device that can serve, for example, as a level gauge.
Such a device is reliable in operation and allows the generation of a long beam. Of course, safety precautions must be taken into account when working with such devices. It is especially dangerous to hit the beam in the eyes. At close range, such a beam can damage soft tissues.
Of course, when assembling a home-made device, it is necessary to take into account the scheme by which the laser diode will be connected to the power source. The fact is that these devices can not just be connected to the battery, you must consider the following features:
- When mounting and dismounting, avoid static electricity, it can damage the laser diode.
- When turning on / off, the appearance of short-term voltage surges.
- Just like a regular LED, the device should work at rated current; exceeding it will significantly reduce the operating time.
Given all of the above, it is quite possible to design a circuit (or find one already ready), capable of ensuring stable and long-term operation of such a device. You can get a beam with which you can organize an interesting show or assemble a motion sensor.