Index
Laser information page
General information
The 'laser' - or - (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) was perfected in 1960, by research scientist Theodore Maiman at the Hughes Laboratory in Malibu California. Physicists Charles H. Townes and his brother-in-law Arthur Schawlow were the first to actually apply for a patent on the laser and they were the first to publish their findings in scientific journals. The He-Ne laser (red beam) was in commercial use, by 1968. Today many different types of lasers exist, for a wide range of applications. Lasers are used for surgery, for cutting metal, for determining distance, for projecting 3-dimensional holographic images, for computer printing and for entertainment lighting applications. Laser light differs from ordinary light in four ways. Briefly it is much more intense, directional, monochromatic and coherent. Most lasers consist of a column of active material with a partly reflecting mirror at one end and a fully reflecting mirror at the other. The active material can be solid (ruby crystal), liquid or gas (HeNe, CO2 etc.).
- Facts & Myths - There are many different laser myths floating about laser shows and safety related to them. This page describes the the most important to know. Rate this link
- Guidance on Electronic Products which Emit Laser Radiation Rate this link
- Heath risk from the use of laser pointers - Laser pointers - the hand-held, pen-like devices that project a beam of laser light - are rapidly replacing the traditional wooden pointers used by lecturers during presentations. Two questions are raised: should these products be available to the general public and how dangerous are they? This Fact Sheet provides information about the properties of laser radiation, the different laser classes and summarizes the World Health Organization's (WHO) advice on the safe use of laser pointers. Fact Sheet No 202 July 1998 HEALTH RISKS FROM THE USE OF LASER POINTERS. Rate this link
- Laser Safety Bulletins Rate this link
- LaserSafety.org - Laser Safety Traing Online Rate this link
- Lasers: Safety, Info, Links, Parts; Diode, HeNe, Ar/Kr Ion Lasers - A Practical Guide for Experimenters and Hobbyists Rate this link
- Laser Show Safety - If you're involved with lasers that are used for shows or displays this site will contain important information regarding laser safety. Contains lots of useful information and answers many myths about how to use lasers for light show purposes, and keep everyone safe. There are specific sections to different types of uses of laser show systems, and a growing FAQ section. For those of you concerend that you may have been looking into a laser beam for too long there's even a simple online eye test, to indicate if you have any retinal damage. Rate this link
- Online Safety Library: Laser Safety Rate this link
- OSHA Directives PUB 8-1.7 - Guidelines for Laser Safety and Hazard Assessment Rate this link
- OSHA Technical Manual on Laser Hazards Rate this link
- Safety Recommendations of Laser Pointers Rate this link
- Sam's Laser FAQ - A Practical Guide for Experimenters and Hobbyists Rate this link
- S?teilyturvakeskus - organization in Finland which coordinates laser safety Rate this link
- The Big Igloo Project - writing on one large laser show project Rate this link
Laser safety
Safety instructions for lasers: Laser beams may damage the eyes severely or may cause blindness if they radiate into the eyes directly or indirectly.Therefore the laser electronics must be installed in such a manner thatradiation into the eyes will be impossible neither directly nor indirectlyvia mirrows in the room. When using lasers with an output power higher than 1 mW, you should checkabout the legal regulations for prevention of accidents and be verycareful. Normal laser pointers sold in shops have typically outputpower of 1..5 mW (power depends on laser pointer model and whatcountry regulations say on maximum power). This power level isnormally not very hazardous, but can cause permanent datageto your eye if you stare at the beam. You should be verycareful with higer power lasers and lasers on that power rangethat emit invisible radiation, because they can cause immediateeye damage (and very high power lasers can cause skin burns or fire).With eny high power laser make sure that you have safe operatingenvironment, necessary regulations/permissions and somebody thattakes care that these legal regulations are observed.Lasers use coherent light which has very different properties to a standard lighting effect. This is what makes lasers one of the most beautiful forms of light, but also one of the most dangerous light sources if not used with proper cautions.
General safety information
Safety guidelines
Laser shows and exhibitions
Misc info
- Britney's Guide to Semiconductor Physics - information on semiconductor lasers Rate this link
- Diode Lasers FAQ Rate this link
- Laser/electro-optics technology course material Rate this link
- Laser Helpers - lots of helpful laser related information and formulas Rate this link
- Laser Light Shows - Lasers for entertainment looked at by starry-eyed Jim Perry Rate this link
- Lasers: Safety, Info, Links, Parts; Diode, HeNe, Ar/Kr Ion Lasers Rate this link
- Sam's Laser FAQ - lots of laser information Rate this link
- Simple Spice model simulates laser diode - When you design drive circuitry for laser diodes, you must consider safety measures. Laser diodes are delicate devices, and excessive reverse voltage or forward current can easily destroy them. Usually, a laser-diode driver circuit comprises the laser diode and a monitor photodetector in a common package and a low-frequency feedback loop that stabilizes the diode's optical output power. Computer simulation of the driver before you turn it on can be helpful in thwarting laser-diode mortality. Rate this link
- Laser Information Resources - References on Laser Principles, Technology, Construction, Applications, Newsgroups, Discussion Groups and Technical Forums, Listservers, Laser and Optics Related Links Rate this link
- Optical components and designs for laser projection systems Rate this link
- Laser F/X educational material - how laser shows work, science projects, laser displays FAQ Rate this link
- Galvanometer Rate this link
- Laser Show Technology Rate this link
- Laser Focus World publications - trade journal for serious professional in commercial laser optics research and development Rate this link
- OSA OpticsNet Rate this link
- LaserNet Rate this link
- The Laser Resource Library - to provide informtion about Lasers and Laser related equipment to the Amateur, Hobbyist, and Experimenter Rate this link
- CD Player Laser Diodes - This document give you introduction to lasers used in CD player. Rate this link
- First Nitride Laser on Spinel Reported! - blue and ultraviolet semicondictor lasers Rate this link
Laser and optics information sources
General information
Compliance and classification
Laser show information
Publications
Laser link and resource pages
Misc info
- Amateur Laser Construction - This document is is a real amateur laserist goldmine. Rate this link
- A Practical Guide for Laser Experimenters and Hobbyists Rate this link
- Complete Helium Neon Laser Power Supply Schematics Rate this link
- Circuit provides laser-diode control - Laser diodes are sensitive to ESD, rapid turn-on currents, and overvoltage conditions. To address those problems use this simple laser-diode controller. Rate this link
- Diode Laser Power Supplies - circuit ideas and ideas to test power supply Rate this link
- Helium Neon Laser Power Supply Design Rate this link
- Helium Neon Laser Power Supplies Rate this link
- HeNe laser power supply - power supply used in old Edmond Scientific 0.5 mw laser, includes also typical characteristics of 0.5..5 mW HeNe tubes Rate this link
- Home-Built Copper Chloride (CuCl) and Copper Bromide (CuBr) Laser Rate this link
- Kaychain Laser Driver Circuit - This is a simple description (some kind of engineering reversing :-)) of cheap KeyChain Lasers that are sold for 5 bucks or so. Rate this link
- Laser and Laser Diode helpful hints - how to get laser diodes to work (maybe), and why to get a complete pointer or a module rather than trying to get a laser diode working Rate this link
- Laser Diode and HeNe Laser Information - long laser circuit document by Samuel M. Goldwasser, includes laser poswer supplies and modulation circuits Rate this link
- Laser-diode driver stabilizes sensitivity parameters - stable laser-diode driver with an optional modulation-input facility Rate this link
- Laser Diode Driver SG-LD1 - Laser diode driver with feedback. Rate this link
- Laser power supply for helium-neon tubes Rate this link
- LASER Power Supply - simple mains powered HeNe laser tube power supply Rate this link
- Plans for sealed CO2 laser Rate this link
- So you want a working diode laser? - information about semiconductor lasers Rate this link
- The Homebuilt Lasers Page - This page focusses mainly on lasers which are reasonably easy and inexpensive for amateurs to construct. In that light, it will focus on nitrogen and dye lasers which fit the bill (especially if you have a budget of $100 or less!). Rate this link
- Easy, Fun and Satisrying Laser Activities Rate this link
- Experimental Laser Data Link Rate this link
- Lasers: Safety, Info, Links, Parts; Diode, HeNe, Ar/Kr Ion Lasers Rate this link
- Laser Microphone - methods for listening sounds from a window Rate this link
- Laser Snooper - capture sounds from vibrating window Rate this link
- LASER Transmitter/Receiver - basis for a very simple light wave transmitter using laser Rate this link
- The Saturday Scientist Laser Experiments - some simple laser effects Rate this link
- Laser display - The idea is to have an array of 16 laser beams pointed towards a two-sided mirror strip (salvaged from a handheld scanner head), rotating along its long axis. This way, the 16 laser beams are being scanned along a surface twice per mirror rotation. Rate this link
- Home Built Laser Projector Rate this link
- How Laser Shows Work - Scanning System - The most important part of laser projection system are the galvos, more commonly called scanners. Graphics, animations, abstracts and dynamic beam effects are generated by X-Y scanning of the laser beam using galvanometer scanners. The galvanometer (often abbreviated to galvo) is a current-sensitive device that operates in a similar manner to an analogue meter. Rate this link
- Mechanically scanned laser display - This application is a very cheap solution for displaying text messages on a solid or semi-opaque surface by using a laser beam. The main goal was to verify the possibility to build a simple and cheap display for displaying large text. Rate this link
- Ideas for controlling laser beam movement Rate this link
- Kinetic Images from Sound - This old magazine article shows several diffrent laser show effect ideas Rate this link
- Laser Lite Show Information and Technical Forum from Rate this link
- Lasers: Safety, Drive, Info, Parts; Diode, HeNe, Ar/Kr Ion Lasers - A Practical Guide for Experimenters and Hobbyists Rate this link
- Laser projector Rate this link
- Home Built Laser Projector - This project has information on laser show systems and information on building closed-loop galvanometers Rate this link
- Amateur Holography--Simple & Low Budget Rate this link
- Practical Holography - on-line book how to make your own holograms Rate this link
- Holography eGroup - e-mail list for people interested in holography Rate this link
- Practical Holography Book - on-line book on making your own holograms Rate this link
- Amateur Radio Laser Communications - introductory material on through the air laser communications Rate this link
- A simple laser communicator. - How would you like to talk over a laser beam? In about 15 minutes you can set up your own laser communication system, using cheap laser pen pointers and a few parts from Radio Shack. Rate this link
- Cheepo Laser - simple on/off communication system using laser pointer laser module Rate this link
- Experimental Laser Data Link - 9600 bps laser link using laser pointer laser module Rate this link
- How do I convert a conventional laser pointer to a modulated laser? Rate this link
- Laser Link - This is a very interesting project about transmitting an audio signal over a laser beam. Keychain laser may be easily modulated in frequency (turning the laser on and off rapidly) thus, the input signal amplitude is transformed in small frequency variations over a central "carrier" frequency, this modulating technique is called FPM (Frequency Pulse Modulation). Rate this link
- Laser Link Communicator - This project lets you transmit audio information over a laser beam. This circuit trasmits audio up to distances up to several hundred meters. For very short-range demonstration purposes, the laser diode can be replaced with a LED. Rate this link
- Laser Torch-based Voice Transmitter and Receiver - Using this circuit you can communicate with your neighbours wirelessly. Instead of RF signals, light from a laser torch is used as the carrier in the circuit. The laser torch can transmit light up to a distance of about 500 metres. The phototransistor of the receiver must be accurately oriented towards the laser beam from the torch. Rate this link
- LASER Transmitter/Receiver - This set of two circuits from the basis for a very simple light wave transmitter. A LASER beam is modulated and then aimed at a receiver that demodulates the signal and then presents the information (voice, data, etc..). Basically this is a very simple light wave transmitter for audio signals. Rate this link
- Micro power 40 KHz burst laser diode driver - laser tag or simulated combat games can use this circuit to send short bursts of modulated laser light at the opponent's vest, equipped with a matching light receiver, operates from three 1.5v cells (4.5v) that should provide enough energy for about 200,000 shots, pdf file Rate this link
- Modulated laser diode tester - circuit can either be used to test laser diodes or as a general purpose modulated light source, adjusted from below 30KHz to above 50MHz, powered from 9V battery, pdf file Rate this link
- Puolijohdelaserin AM-modulointi ja -ilmaisu - information on laser diode modulation in Finnish Rate this link
- RS-232 Laser Transciever - Laser based projects used to be expensive, until the development of solid state lasers. This project is designed for the entry level laser experimenter. The circuit allows any two computers with serial (RS-232) communication capability to communicate over 200 meters using a laser beam. A low cost transmitter only circuit is also presented here for use in one way communication and other laser based projects. Rate this link
- Rudolf's laser comm site - laser communication projects Rate this link
- Sound Amplitude Modulated Laser Beam - Most Laser Pens can easily be adapted to send a sound amplitude modulated beam. The ones that use the pocket clip as a switch are the easiest to use for this purpose, but the ones with a button can still be used but not quite as conveniently. Rate this link
- Twibright Labs Ronja - laser communication projects for 115 kbps IrDA and 115 kbps RS-232, information on test for 10 Mbps Ethernet laser link tests Rate this link
- UPN Laser Transceiver - full-duplex 115.2 kbit/sec data connection between the serial ports of two computers using laser beam Rate this link
- Laser Pointer / Semiconductor Laser Holography - A magical journey of making holograms with a $7.99 laser pointer and higher-power laser diodes. Rate this link
Laser project on the net
Build a laser
Laser diodes are sensitive to ESD, rapid turn-on currents, and overvoltage conditions. To address those problems, some form of driving electronics is generally needed to drive a laser diode properly in varying conditions (varying power suply voltage and varying temperature). Gas lasers need generally a current regulated high operating voltage (1-2 kV typically) and possible a start trigger voltage (few kV) to turn them on. For this you generally need a special powe supply.
Scientific experiments
Laser show systems
Lasers use coherent light which has very different properties to a standard lighting effect. This is what makes lasers one of the most beautiful forms of light, but also one of the most dangerous light sources if not used with proper cautions.
Holography
Laser communication
Other laser projects
- GSI Lumionics - galvanometers, optical components Rate this link
Optical component sources
Laser components in Finland
- ACLS - animated computercontrolled laser systems Rate this link
- MediaLas Rate this link
- Freitag Technologies - sale and rental of professional showlaser systems and components Rate this link
- International Laser Display Association Rate this link
- International Laser Productions - a full service laser projection and effects company Rate this link
- Internet Webseum of Holography Rate this link
- K.E.S. Laser Productions Rate this link
- Laser F/X Rate this link
- Laseronics Design - laser shows, effects & display Rate this link
- Laserium Rate this link
- LaserLand - international Laser-Multimedia Show Production company, also manufacturers laser show equipments Rate this link
- LaserMagic Productions - Southern California based entertainment company providing indoor and outdoor laser shows and special effects Rate this link
- LaserMedia Rate this link
- Laservision Macro-Media Rate this link
- Laser Visuals - Manufacturers of Laser Light Show Tools, with software, electronic modules, lasers, and other optical components available, whether it be for hobby or professional use. Also lots of information about laser light shows, how they work, and what safety considerations need to be taken into account. Suppliers lasers, scanners, control software, optical effects and optical accessories. Rate this link
- Lightspeed Design Group - multimedia presentations which utilize laser animation Rate this link
- Linden Laser Systems - laser video projector Rate this link
- MVS Lasertechnik - design of Laser Display systems for the entertainment industry Rate this link
- N Effect Productions - Southern California based entertainment company providing a full range of DJ services, laser shows and intelligent lighting Rate this link
- New Method Lasers - laser show equipments, control software Rate this link
- NU-Light - Manufacturers of Laser Display Systems and Special Effects. Rate this link
- Obscura Magica Rate this link
- Omicron Laser Art Polska - one of the major companies in Middle - East Europe to make laser shows Rate this link
- Oracle Laser Productions Rate this link
- Pangolin - laser show controllign software Rate this link
- Showlasers Inc Rate this link
- Technological Artisans Rate this link
Laser effects companies
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