Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Laser specs ? optics ?

>> 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.

it might mean that the average power is very low and thus not harmful.
otoh the instantaneous power of pulsed lasers can be very high and
dangerous.

> 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 ?

if it's more than 1mW or so you definitely need goggles. I have a new 4W
YAG at work and it burns holes in the wall if you are not careful!

checkout the sites I mentioned: thorlabs, edmund optics:
http://www.thorlabs.com/NewGroupPage9.cfm?ObjectGroup_ID=762&Visual_ID=1968

> 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 ?

you use a fluorescent card, you'll see a yellow or green visible spot on
the card when the IR beam hits it. A normal digital camera will also be
sensitive to NIR wavelengths, so you can take a picture of the beam by
shining the beam on just a normal piece of paper.
http://www.thorlabs.com/NewGroupPage9.cfm?ObjectGroup_ID=296&Visual_ID=1972

oh, my experience is with NIR lasers, 1064nm and shorter, so if you are
working with CO2 (about 10um), things might be totally different!

Jon mentioned using a small aperture to circularize the beam. A high-end
way of doing this is to couple the light from the diode into a
single-mode optical fiber.

AW (sorry if this is wandering OT)