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

Anders Wallin wrote:

>>>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't a 5 mW laser, so you won't get more than 5 mW PEAK power. If the pulses
are kept short and far between, then it shouldn't be more dangerous than
being
outside. Also, due to non-linearities in the the way the retina works,
you can
focus a relatively weak spot MUCH better than a "blinding hot" spot.

>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.
>
>
>

Efficiently coupling a laser with a large aperture into a single-mode
fiber is VERY
difficult. Even coupling a tiny diode laser into a SM fiber is
relatively hard to do,
as it requires insanely minute adjustments of tiny optical components.

Jon