Here’s another Helium-Neon to add to the electric glassware collection, a 2mW Melles-Griot 05-LHR-088 which I pulled from the optical assembly from an ancient Spectra-Physics SP910 laser level. This tube is a standard Red 632.8nm with Random beam polarisation. The specifications are in the table below: The label shows that
I’ve been looking for ways to build a DIY Laser Power meter for some time now, but I had no way to calibrate anything. I have been aware of DIY thermopile sensors with TECs – but no way to verify any results until now. Since I have my Gentec meter
Here we have an optical power meter, vintage 1991! This is a Gentec unit, with scaling to to handle up to 10W with a suitable powerhead. Powered either with 4 PP3 9v batteries, or from a 24v DC jack on the rear, this unit is quite versatile. I managed to
Looking through eBay recently I came across a great deal on some Helium-Neon laser heads from Melles Griot. While definitely not new, these gas lasers are extremely long-lasting & I figured the tubes inside would make a nice addition to my laser collection. Doing some searching on the model number,
Continue readingMelles-Griot 05-LHP-141-15 Helium Neon Laser Head & Tube Extraction
In preparation for my laser scanner project, I have modified my existing 445nm laser to accept a TTL blanking input. The laser driver is already enabled for this & just required an extra connection to interface with my laser scanner showboard. I have used an 8-pin connection to allow the
Having had a He-Ne laser tube for a while & the required power supply, it was time to mount the tube in a more sturdy manner. Above the tube is mounted with a pair of 32mm Terry Clips, with the power leads passing through the plastic top. The ballast resistor
Here’s a couple of beamshots from the new laser, running at full power. 00
Here is a followup from the 1.5W laser module post. The module has been fitted into a housing, with a 2.2Ah Li-Poly battery pack. Charging is accomplished with an external 12.6v DC power supply. Above can be seen the pair of switches on the top, the keyswitch must be enabled
This is a fan cooled 445nm laser module, which emits in the blue part of the spectrum. Fan cooled & with TTL control built in, this is the beginning of a new laser projector. Here’s a quick beamshot: 00
I thought this would be of interest, as it’s from a drive circa 2001, (DVD-CD-RW). It’s the biggest & most complex optical block I’ve ever seen, with totally separate beam paths for the IR CD beam & the visible DVD beam. It also combines the use of bare laser diodes
Here’s the teardown of the projector itself! On the right is the info label from the projector, which covers the flex ribbon to the VGA/composite input board below. This unit is held together with Allen screws, but is easy to get apart. Here’s the insides of the projector, with
Continue readingMicroVision ShowWX+ HDMI Laser Pico Projector
Above is the image projected from the Pi, on the default login screen. Distance from the projector is approx 10 feet. State of the art projector mount, fashioned from several cable ties. HDMI cable is plugged into the right hand side of the projector. Unfortunately the projector cannot handle audio
Here is a 2Gbit Fibre Channel transceiver from Cisco Systems in SFP module format. Here the shield has been removed from the bottom of the module (it just clips off). The bottom of the PCB can be seen, with the copper interface on the
From now on I plan on posting a random electronics related photo every day. Here’s the first: Old Melles Griot 1mW He-Ne laser tube in operation 00
A quick post documenting a DPSS laser module i salvaged from a disco scanner. Estimated output ~80mW Connection to the 808nm pump diode on the back of the module. There is a protection diode soldered across the diode pins. (Not visible). Note heatsinking of the module. Driver PCB. This module
Here’s my prototype 455nm laser head, constructed from the front section of an Aixiz module threaded into a heatsink from an old ATX power supply. This sink has enough thermal mass for short 1W testing. Connection to the laser diode at the back of the heatsink. Cable is heat shrink
To help make my system more efficient, a pair of switching regulators has been fitted, the one shown above is a Texas Instruments PTN78060 switchmode regulator module, which provides a 7.5v rail from the main 12v battery pack. A Lot like the LM317 & similar linear regulators, these modules require
Connection The parts arrived for my adjustable laser diode driver! Components here are an LM317K with heatsink, 100Ω 10-turn precision potentiometer, 15-turn counting dial & a 7-pin matching plug & socket. Here is the schematic for the driver circuit. I have used a 7-pin socket for provisions for active cooling