The unique properties of the laser beam have long been used in medicine, in the manufacture of precision instruments, in laboratory installations, etc. A narrow beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation of the optical range has long attracted researchers from all over the planet. The properties of the laser are quite well studied and have recently been used in the national economy and in production. Probably, everyone saw the work of high-precision sights or well-known pointers. The power of such devices is small, but it is quite enough to demonstrate them
of opportunities. With the development of manufacturing technology, small-sized elements capable of delivering a beam of sufficiently high power are currently produced in an industrial way. No doubt they will find their place in electronics. Based on them, it is quite possible to make a home-made laser, which can be used in everyday life, for example, as a small-sized level gauge.
In order to make a homemade laser, there is no need to look for an expensive crystal, design a pump device, install a reflector, etc. You don’t even need to adjust the special optical lens used to correct the beam. At the moment, the technology for manufacturing laser diodes is quite well developed.
Such a device can operate with a constant radiation power of up to 8 watts, which is quite enough to get a long beam. At close range, such a device will burn a sheet of paper. All that is needed in order to assemble such a home-made laser is to choose a case and organize a power source. It should also be borne in mind that in the on state such a device consumes a decent current, and ordinary batteries will soon have to be replaced. It
is best to use
rechargeable batteries as the
power source . Depending on the purpose of such a device, you can refer to the catalogs and select a diode according to the parameters of the current consumption and radiation power that suit you most.
Laser diodes are widely used in a wide variety of electronic devices. It is quite possible to dismantle this device from the old laser “cutter” for DVD discs and make it a homemade laser. It is quite suitable for demonstrating the capabilities of this device.
Laser lines are currently available with peak output optical powers of up to 150 watts. Do not forget about safety when working with these elements.
If you are going to assemble a powerful device that can process fusible materials, then plasma cutting will come in handy . With your own hands, this device can be assembled on the basis of drawings, which can easily be found in the public domain.
As you can see, it’s quite possible to make home-made lasers without resorting to searching for expensive and scarce materials. Assembly and calibration will not take much time.
The range of manufactured laser diodes is constantly growing. Their output optical power is increasing. Stream production leads to a gradual decrease in their cost.