Is a homemade laser a myth or a reality?

Unique properties of the laser beam have long been used in medicine, in the manufacture of high-precision instruments, in laboratory installations, etc. A narrow beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation from the optical range has long attracted researchers from all over the planet. The properties of the laser have been thoroughly studied and have recently been used in the national economy and in production. Probably everyone saw the work of high-precision sights or all known pointer. The power of such devices is small, but it is enough to demonstrate their Opportunities. With the development of manufacturing technology, small-sized elements that are capable of producing a beam of sufficiently high power are currently manufactured industrially. Without a doubt, they will find their place in electronics. On their basis, it is possible to make a self-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, to design a pump device, to install a reflector, etc. You do not even need to set up a special optical lens used to correct the beam. At the moment, the technology of manufacturing laser diodes is well developed. Such a device can operate with a constant output power of up to 8 watts, which is enough to get a beam of a large extent. 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 pick up the case and organize a power source. It should also be taken into account that when turned on, this device consumes a decent current, and ordinary batteries will soon have to be changed. As a power source, it is best to use rechargeable batteries. Depending on the purpose of such a device, you can refer to the catalogs and select a diode by the parameters of the current consumption and the radiation power that you are most comfortable with.

Laser diodes are widely used in a wide variety of electronic devices. It is quite possible to dismantle this device from an old laser "cutter" for DVDs and make it a home-made laser. It is quite suitable for demonstrating the capabilities of this device.

Currently, laser lines are available with a peak output power of up to 150 watts. Do not forget the safety when working with these elements.

If you are going to assemble a powerful device capable of processing low-melting materials, then you will need plasma cutting. With your own hands, this device can be assembled on the basis of drawings, which can easily be found in free access.

As you can see, homemade lasers can be really done without resorting to searching for expensive and scarce materials. Assembly and calibration will not take much time.

The range of laser diodes produced is constantly growing. Their output optical power is increased. Stream production leads to a gradual decrease in their cost.