How old it is!

[Max]

Come on, Max!
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/...our-own-laser/

Hi Elie,
thanks for the link... now I see!

That's interesting watching at a magazine of just nov 1964 and see a laser DIY project... about 4 years from first successful realization of a working laser source.

Best regards,
Max

[Max]

Hi,
I've read it... but seems that the ruby wasn't homemade... just circuit and lamps... assembly was homemade diy project.

The magazine talk about "popular ruby size" 2 inches * 1/4 inch diameter ruby ...available... and also other kind of crystals for the infrared emission... but that means there were dealers of that stuff in the 60's in the US ???

I know that making synth ruby is not so difficault using right things... oven etc and some "ruby seed" for the crystal growing... but really wonder that in the US there was a market of amateur laser rubys in the 60's !

Or maybe I don't understand well what's in the article ? Really puzzled now!

Kind regards,
Max

[Qiaozhi]

Qiaozhi:

Sorry, can't access!!

Regards

Esteban

Seems to work ok for everyone else. Perhaps you need macromedia flash or something.

[Qiaozhi]

DO NOT LOOK AT LASER WITH REMAINING EYE!
Seriously, this project is very dangerous. The laser pointers which are produced commercially are low power (although one should still not "get the beam in ones eye"), but what this guy shows will burn ones eye instantly. Lasers which are used in DVD players, etc., are high power devices, NOT TOYS.

Of course - do not look into the laser. Anyway, I never said it was a safe project.

[Esteban]

Esteban's source:

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/

Esteban is a bad boy!

Yes! You can subscribe to Modern Mechanix blog and receive every day on your email.

[Esteban]

Seems to work ok for everyone else. Perhaps you need macromedia flash or something.

Qiaozhi,

Thanks very much. In one of my computers I can't, but in the other yes.

Regards

Esteban

[Fred]

I think the real danger of the laser experiment is not tolook inside, as nobody would do that anyway,but accidental reflections on some surface.Even not very shiny surface can reflect part of the power back,it will be still too much for you eyes.
But the project is really cool!
Regards,
Fred.

[Elie]

Hi,
yes that's true... 250mW laser could burn one retina in few time... probably less than 0.1 seconds... the focus inside the eye will burn the most sensitive central area of retina in maybe half that time with such power.

Laser pointers (toys and stuff for conferences etc) are much smaller powered maximum 5mW so 50times less than this bad project...often they are under 1mW real power.

Watching at them could give damages too... but cause of small power it requires more time to make real damages to retina... that's a live tissue and could also partially regenerate a very small burnt.

Laser pointers are supposed to give you time to blink, before damaging your eye.
LASERS ARE NOT TOYS, AND YOU SHOULD NOT "PLAY" WITH ANY LASER, THIS APPLIES TO LOW POWER LASER POINTERS. IT IS POSSIBLE TO EXPERIMENT SAFELY WITH HIGHER POWER LASERS, BUT MAKING ONE INTO A LASER POINTER, AS THE GUY IN THE VIDEO DID, IS JUST PLAIN STUPID.

[Elie]

I think the real danger of the laser experiment is not tolook inside, as nobody would do that anyway,but accidental reflections on some surface.Even not very shiny surface can reflect part of the power back,it will be still too much for you eyes.
But the project is really cool!
Regards,
Fred.

No one would do that ON PURPOSE, but you know what happens with laser pointers. Also, as you point out, the fact that even REFLECTED light from this project can cause eye damage shows just how dangerous it is.