Re: Laser specs ? optics ?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@...> wrote:

>
> turbulatordude wrote:
>
> >Hi all,
> >
> >Anyone know where one can get optics for lasers ?
> >
> >Only some small lenses really. I am looking at the optics in laser
> >pointers and it seems they do not create a very focused beam. more of
> >a tightly aligned group of dots.
> >
> >
>
> This is laser "speckle". It is a characteristic of ALL lasers,

unless you

> run the beam through a device called a spatial filter.

I tried looking at a laser pointer dot and it appears that the speckle
I am looking at has more to do with the surface, than the beam. it
looks more like a print, as if you took a sponge on some paint and
just touched it to a paper. all kinds of lattice, (if lattice is the
proper term)

I am assuming it has more to do with the material surface, and
reflections, than the optics.

Seems there is a lot to learn about this technology.

> I run the laser with a
> pulse generator at a 1:1000 ratio,
> so it doesn't harm my eyes.

I don't understand what the pulse does, nor how that would have any
effect on your eyes.

I guess that before too much more, I should look into some sort of
safety glasses. The laser beam is an IR diode. Any suggestions ?

Also, since IR is not visable to the naked eye, any suggestions on how
to 'see' it so as to help with lenses and alignment and all that ?

Dave