Sam's Laser FAQ Comprehensive Table of Contents
Sam's Laser FAQ, Copyright © 1994-2008,
Samuel M. Goldwasser, All Rights Reserved.
I may be contacted via the
Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ
Email Links Page.
<==== Sam's Laser FAQ ====>




Comprehensive Table of Contents
Links to Every Chapter and Section
(07-Oct-08)
Reproduction of this document in whole or in part is permitted
if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
- This notice is included in its entirety at the beginning.
- There is no charge except to cover the costs of copying.
Introduction
This is a machine (script) generated set of links to every chapter and section
of Sam's Laser FAQ. Searching from within your Web browser (e.g., CTRL-F in
Netscape) will enable you to go direct to whatever it is that interests you
without dealing with all the intermediate steps. OK, so this may not be as
good as a real search engine but should be better than nothing. If someone
wants to volunteer to adapt an existing utility to do this in a more
sophisticated way, I won't object too strenuously. However, it must be a
program or script that runs locally on any likely host OS and there must not
be any advertising. :) (Note: Some systems apparently will not support cgi
scripts due to security issues.)
Note that the
Drexel Mirror
Site does include a search engine for the entire S.E.R FAQ so that
may be preferred.
In order to guarantee compatibility, the version number of this file
(lasertoc.htm) and the one in Sam's Laser FAQ Welcome
Page must be the same.
The Three Letter Abbreviations (TLAs) :-) on each link line below refer to the
last three letters of the name of the file containing the specific chapter or
section. Chapters and the start of major sections are in bold face;
others are in normal type and their links are indented.
Note: The links below open up a single new browser window
so the Comprehensive Table of Contents will remain present, sort of like
flexible frames. Comments, pro or con, welcome.
Welcome Page, Expanded ToC, Comprehensive ToC
Sam's Laser FAQ Main Table of Contents
- FAQ: Foreword - How Sam's Laser FAQ evolved into what it is today and other tid-bits.
- FAQ: Preface - Author & copyright, DISCLAIMER, acknowledgements, requests.
- FAQ: Introduction - Scope, purpose, and organization of this document, related information.
- FAQ: What is a Laser and How Does It Work? - The laser age, principles, types, on-line tutorial, lasers as a hobby.
- SAF: Laser Safety - Hazards to vision, other issues, 100 W light bulb versus 1 mW laser, safety classifications, links.
- IOI: Items of Interest - Laser power meters, Fabry-Perot and DFB types, wavelengths, speckle, collimation, etc.
- LIA: Laser Instruments and Applications - Rangefinders, interferometers, gyros, light shows, laser TV, Fourier optics.
- EXP: Laser Experiments and Projects - Basic to advanced including diffraction, interference, holography, display, more.
- LIR: Laser Information Resources - Books, magazines, collections, patents; Web newsgroups, lists, forums, links.
- LPS: Laser and Parts Sources - Walk-in, mail order, high quality, surplus, component and system manufacturers.
- DIO: Diode Lasers - Basic considerations, visible and IR (e.g., from CD player) types, testing, visibility, collimation.
- DPS: Diode Laser Power Supplies - Drive requirements, modulation, sample circuits for low and high power devices.
- HEN: Helium-Neon Lasers - Theory (simple), operation, sealed tube structure, characteristics, power requirements.
- HCL: Commercial HeNe Lasers - Specific models from Melles Griot, Spectra-Physics, PMS/REO, Coherent, more.
- HTR: HeNe Laser Testing, Adjustment, Repair - Problems, testing, mirror alignment, collimation, polarization, refilling.
- HPS: HeNe Laser Power Supplies - Requirements, types, plug-n-lase, matching tube to PS, testing, problems, repair.
- HPD: HeNe Laser Power Supply Design - AC line powered, low voltage inverters, starters, regulators, modulators.
- HSC: Complete HeNe Laser Power Supply Schematics - Includes 25 AC line and 17 inverter types, most you can build.
- ARG: Argon/Krypton Ion Lasers - General features and characteristics, basic power requirements, specific examples.
- ATR: Ar/Kr Ion Laser Testing, Maintenance, Repair - Tube life, problems, testing, general maintenance, alignment.
- APS: Ar/Kr Ion Laser Power Supplies - Basic requirements, types, specific safety issues, testing, problems, repair.
- APD: Ar/Kr Ion Laser Power Supply Design - AC line front-ends, igniters, linear and switchmode regulators, protection.
- ASC: Complete Ar/Kr Ion Laser Power Supply Schematics - Both linear and switching types using common parts.
- CO2: Carbon Dioxide Lasers - Characteristics and requirements, applications, small sealed tubes, gas fill, optics.
- HEC: Helium-Cadmium Lasers - Characteristics, power supplies, HeCd laser head and PSU troubleshooting.
- SSL: Solid State Lasers - Characteristics, types, pulsed/CW, Q-switching, frequency changing, common SS lasers.
- SCL: Commercial SS Lasers - Hughes M60, SSY1, C215/315/415M, C532, uGreen, MG-BLD/GSD, LWE-221, more.
- STR: SS Laser Testing, Adjustment, Repair - Cleaning, cooling, alignment, tuning, beam quality and energy.
- SPS: SS Laser Power Supplies - Capacitor chargers, PFNs, PSUs using photoflash units, sources for special parts.
- SSC: Complete SS Laser Power Supply Schematics - Circuits for the Hughes ruby and YAG lasers, uYAG, more.
- CON: Amateur Laser Construction - Resources, safety, the home laser lab, supplies, vacuums, glass working, more.
- CVA: Vacuum Technology for Home-Built Gas Lasers - Vacuum basics, pumps, gauges, components, testing, repair.
- CLP: The Home-Built Laser Assembly and Power Supply - Structure, optics, mirror mounts, electrical components.
- CLT: Home-Built Laser Types, Information, and Links - Introduction to laser descriptions and "Light and its Uses".
- CHN: Home-Built Helium-Neon (HeNe) Laser - Much like the original gas laser from 1962 produces a red beam.
- CAR: Home-Built Pulsed Argon and/or Krypton (Ar/Kr) Ion Laser - A similar gas laser produces multiple color beam.
- CC2: Home-Built Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser - High power (10 to 50 W or more) flowing gas infra-red laser.
- CN2: Home-Built Nitrogen (N2) Laser - Pulsed ultraviolet laser that is easy to construct without fancy equipment.
- CHG: Home-Built Helium-Mercury (HeHg) and Other He-Metal-Vapor Lasers - Operation at multiple visible wavelengths.
- CCB: Home-Built Copper Chloride (CuCl) and Copper Bromide (CuBr) Laser - Pulsed intense yellow and green beam.
- CDY: Home-Built Dye Laser - Generate almost any color of the spectrum depending on which chemical dye is used.
- CMG: Home-Built Pulsed Multiple Gas (PMG) Laser - Simple design uses O2, Xe, Ar, Kr, or Ne; maybe even plain air.
- CPS: Home-Built Pulsed Solid State (PSS) Laser - Basic ruby or Nd:YAG laser system using flashlamp pumping.
- CDS: Home-Built Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) Laser - Vanadate with KTP SHG for 1 mW to 5 W green output.
Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Laser Safety
Laser Safety
Items of Interest
- IOI: Introduction to Items of Interest
- IOI: Brief Glossary of Common Laser Terms
- IOI: International System of Units (SI) Prefixes
- IOI: Web Site With Some Common Optical Calculations
- IOI: Laser Power, Photons, How Much Light?, Beam Profile
- IOI: About Laser Power Ratings
- IOI: Radiometry Primer: What is a Lumen, Lux, Nit, Candela?
- IOI: Conservation of Radiance
- IOI: So How Many Photons are Coming Out of My Laser?
- IOI: How Much Light Does a 5 W Laser Really Produce?
- IOI: How Dim a Laser Can be Seen by the Naked Eye?
- IOI: Laser Powered LEDs
- IOI: Pressure of Light
- IOI: Interaction of Beams of Light?
- IOI: Measuring the Beam Profile
- IOI: Photographing Laser Beams
- IOI: Laser Beam Power Inside and Outside the Laser
- IOI: Laser Power Meters
- IOI: What Makes a Laser Power Meter So Expensive?
- IOI: Types of Semiconductor Light Sensors
- IOI: Thermal Laser Power and Energy Meters
- IOI: Measuring Power of Short Pulses
- IOI: Sam's Super Cheap and Dirty Laser Power Meter (SG-PM0)
- IOI: Sam's Simple Photodiode Sensor Unit
- IOI: Sam's Laser Power Meter 1 (SG-PM1)
- IOI: Sam's Laser Power Meter 2 (SG-PM2)
- IOI: Simple Laser Power Meter Using Photocell
- IOI: Comments on Home-Built Laser Power Meters
- IOI: Effect of Beam Size and Angle on Power Meter Reading
- IOI: Coherent Lasercheck Hand-Held Laser Power Meter
- IOI: Coherent FieldMaster Laser Power and Energy Meter
- IOI: Spiricon MPE-2500 Laser Power and Energy Meter
- IOI: Newport Model 820 Laser Power Meter
- IOI: Sensor for a UDT Instruments Model 351 Power Meter
- IOI: Scientech Thermal Laser Power and Energy Meters
- IOI: Simple Thermal Laser Power Metersi
- IOI: EG&G Model 460-1A Laser Power Meter
- IOI: UDT Sensors Photops Photodiode/Preamp Hybrids
- IOI: About Those IR Indicator Cards
- IOI: Extending the Range of a Laser Power Meter 1
- IOI: Extending the Range of a Laser Power Meter 2
- IOI: Using a Photographic Exposure Meter as a Laser Power Meter
- IOI: Gain, Stability, Efficiency, Life, FB versus DFB Laser
- IOI: Factors Affecting Laser Resonator Performance
- IOI: Common Laser Resonator Configurations
- IOI: Resonator Gain and Losses
- IOI: Resonator Stability
- IOI: Cavity Length Versus TEM00 Power
- IOI: Q Factor and Finesse of a Laser Resonator
- IOI: Laser System Efficiency
- IOI: Laser System Life
- IOI: Difference between Fabry-Perot and DFB lasers
- IOI: Ring Lasers
- IOI: What is Spatial Hole Burning?
- IOI: How to Determine Possible Lasing Wavelengths of a Laser Cavity
- IOI: Determining which Spectral Lines will Lase
- IOI: Changes to Spectra When Lasing is Present
- IOI: The Single Pass Gain Test
- IOI: Performing the Single Pass Gain Test
- IOI: Laser Relaxation Oscillations
- IOI: Pulsed/Average Power, Q-Switching, Ultra-Short Pulse Lasers
- IOI: Average Power from Pulsed Laser
- IOI: What is Q-Switching?
- IOI: Ultra-Short Pulse Lasers
- IOI: Air Breakdown
- IOI: Laser Optics
- IOI: Mirrors used for Lasers and Laser Applications
- IOI: Estimating Dielectric Mirror Spectral Reflectivity
- IOI: Commercial Laser Mirrors
- IOI: Spectra-Physics Laser Cavity Mirrors
- IOI: Adjustable Laser Mirror Mounts
- IOI: Mirrors for Ultra-Short Pulses
- IOI: Radioactive Laser Mirrors?
- IOI: Wavelength Selective Filters
- IOI: Neutral Density Filters
- IOI: What is a Brewster Window?
- IOI: George's Comments on Brewster Windows
- IOI: Index of Refraction and Brewster Angles for Various Materials
- IOI: Polarizing Materials and Optics
- IOI: Phil's Comments on Polarization
- IOI: What is a Waveplate?
- IOI: Summary of Wave Plate Behavior
- IOI: What is an Etalon?
- IOI: Perpendicular Uncoated Windows in a Low Gain Laser
- IOI: Why Laser Optics Collect Loads of Dust
- IOI: Variable Reflectance, Peak Wavelength, or Attenuation Using Dielectric Mirrors
- IOI: Comments on Optics for CW and Pulsed Lasers
- IOI: Laser Wavelengths
- IOI: Wavelengths of Some Common Lasers
- IOI: Dye Laser Dyes and Peak Emission Wavelengths
- IOI: What Determines the Wavelength of a Laser?
- IOI: Determining the Wavelength of a Laser
- IOI: Using a Diffraction Grating to Check Laser Wavelength(s)
- IOI: The Iodine Vapor Cell Wavelength Reference
- IOI: Spectral Differences Based on Isotope
- IOI: Wavelength versus Frequency
- IOI: Laser Visibility and Color
- IOI: Relative Visibility of Light at Various Wavelengths
- IOI: Comments on Beam Visibility
- IOI: Color Versus Wavelength
- IOI: Matching RGB Values to Wavelength
- IOI: Reproducing Visible Spectra
- IOI: Comments on Various Color Lasers
- IOI: Why Skyward-Directed Laser Beams Appear to Terminate in Mid-Air
- IOI: Using a Laser Pointer to Find Objects in the Night Sky
- IOI: Laser Beam Spectral and Other Effects
- IOI: Fluorescence in Common Materials
- IOI: Laser Light Reflects as Different Color(s)
- IOI: Laser Darkens Luminous Sign?
- IOI: The Bursting Balloon Inside a Balloon Trick
- IOI: Speckle, Coherence, Stability, Polarization, Noise
- IOI: What is Laser Speckle?
- IOI: Laser Speckle from Laser Pointer and Candle?
- IOI: Controlling Laser Speckle
- IOI: Reducing Laser Speckle in an Imaging System
- IOI: Comments on Spatial and Temporal Coherence
- IOI: Determining Coherence Length
- IOI: Testing a Laser for Single Frequency Operation
- IOI: Laser Instability
- IOI: Polarization
- IOI: Amplitude Noise
- IOI: Beam Collimation, Divergence, Focus
- IOI: How the Beam Diameter Varies with Distance
- IOI: Rayleigh Length
- IOI: What is M-Square (M2)?
- IOI: Modifying or Improving Collimation
- IOI: Problems with Laser Beam Divergence or Focus
- IOI: More on Laser Collimation and Focus
- IOI: Some Rules-of-Thumb for Spot Size and Divergence
- IOI: Coupling a Laser Beam into an Optical Fiber
- IOI: Laser Beam Profiles, Cleanup
- IOI: About Gaussian Beam Profiles
- IOI: Forcing a Laser to Produce a TEM00 Beam
- IOI: Possible Causes of Interference Patterns in Laser Beam
- IOI: Laser Beam Cleanup - the Spatial Filter
- IOI: More on Spatial Filters
- IOI: Laser Beam Splitting and Combining
- IOI: Splitting a Multiline Beam into its Individual Colors
- IOI: Combining Light from Multiple Lasers
- IOI: Diffraction Gratings, Pattern Generation
- IOI: Diffraction Gratings
- IOI: Use of a CD, CDROM, CD-R, or DVD Disc as a Diffraction Grating
- IOI: Ken's CD and Other Diffractions Grating Tricks
- IOI: What About the Diffraction Grating in Optical Pickups?
- IOI: Cleaning Diffraction Gratings
- IOI: Generating Lines or Crosses of Light
- IOI: Projecting a 1-D or 2-D Grid of Dots or Lines
- IOI: Diffractive Pattern Generating Optics
- IOI: Additional Comments on Diffractive Pattern Generating Optics and DOEs in General
- IOI: Pattern Generation Using Conventional Optics
- IOI: Modulation and Deflection
- IOI: Acousto-Optic Modulators and Deflectors
- IOI: Testing a Surplus AOM
- IOI: The Dual Channel Xerox AOM
- IOI: Is There a Laser with Full Spectrum Wavelength Modulation?
- IOI: Full Color Modulation - The PCAOM
- IOI: Kerr Cell, Pockel's Cell, and Photo-Elastic Modulators
- IOI: Inexpensive Compact Piezo Modulator
- IOI: Spatial Light Modulators
- IOI: Comments on Mechanical Deflection
- IOI: Comments on High Speed Line and Raster Scanning
- IOI: Other Types of Lasers and Related Devices
- IOI: What About All Those Other Types of Lasers?
- IOI: How to Tell if It is a Laser?
- IOI: Whatever Happened to Masers?
- IOI: Excimer Lasers
- IOI: X-Ray Lasers
- IOI: Free Electron Lasers
- IOI: Optical Parametric Oscillators
- IOI: TEA HeNe or Ion Lasers?
- IOI: Titanium:Sapphire Lasers
- IOI: Raman Lasers
- IOI: Alkali Lasers
- IOI: Chemical Lasers
- IOI: Laser Myths and Fantasies
- IOI: Introduction to Laser Myths and Fantasies
- IOI: Some Common Myths of High Energy Weapons
- IOI: The Light Saber
- IOI: Laser Humor
- IOI: Introduction to Laser Humor
- IOI: The Ultimate Laser Pen
- IOI: Advertising using a Laser - On the Moon
- IOI: How Much Optical Power to Zap a Balloon or Bug?
- IOI: Phaser Quality Control
- IOI: Killing Flies (or Other Things) the Hard Way
- IOI: The High Tech Fly Immobilizer
- IOI: The Laser Physicist's Dictionary
- IOI: So You Think You Want to be an Optical (or Laser) Engineer
- IOI: How's This for a Useless Patent?
- IOI: Strange and Weird Things to do with a Laser
- IOI: What's in a Name?
- IOI: Tea Laser
- IOI: Victorian Nitrogen Laser
- IOI: Technopagan Blessing for a New HeNe Laser
- IOI: Using a HeNe Laser to Fix a Pitchfork
- IOI: Lasers in Movies
- IOI: Assorted Photos and Cartoons
Laser Based Instruments and Applications
Laser Experiments and Projects
Laser Information Resources
Laser Parts Sources
- LPS: Where to Find Laser Equipment and Parts
- LPS: Sources for Everything from $5 Laser Diodes to $100,000 C02 Laser Welders
- LPS: Locating Laser Specifications
- LPS: Buyer Beware for Laser Purchases
- LPS: Some Tips for Sellers
- LPS: Packing Laser Equipment to Withstand Drunk 900 Pound Gorillas During Shipping
- LPS: Packing a Spectra-Physics Model 127 Laser
- LPS: Comments on Shipping/Export of Small Lasers
- LPS: New, Surplus, Walk-In, Mail Order, Kits/Plans (Commercial)
- LPS: Walk-In/Mail Order
- LPS: Mail Order/Web - Lasers, Laser Parts, Optics, Accessories
- LPS: Mail Order/Web - Electronics Surplus, Some Lasers - Varies from Month to Month
- LPS: Mail Order/Web - Electronic Components
- LPS: Electronic, Optics, and Laser Project Plans, Parts, Kits, Specialized Components
- LPS: High Quality New and Surplus
- LPS: Scrap and Salvage
- LPS: How to Get a Laser Without Really Trying - Part 1
- LPS: How to Get a Laser Without Really Trying - Part 2
- LPS: On-Line Sources (Non-Commercial)
- LPS: You Don't Have to Buy from Companies
- LPS: Newsgroups and Similar Forums
- LPS: Internet Classifieds
- LPS: Sam's Stuff for Sale or Trade and Items Wanted
- LPS: Auctions
- LPS: Sam's eBay Horror Story #1
- LPS: Laser Sales and Service Companies
- LPS: Laser Diode Manufacturers, Part Numbers, and Specifications
- LPS: Laser and Optics Manufacturers and Suppliers
Diode Lasers
- DIO: Basic Characteristics, Structure, Safety, Common Types
- DIO: Introduction to Diode Lasers and Laser Diodes
- DIO: Examples of Common Laser Diodes
- DIO: Differences Between LEDs and Laser Diodes
- DIO: Comparisons of Diode Lasers with Other Types of Lasers
- DIO: Diode Laser Safety
- DIO: Typical Laser Diodes
- DIO: Laser Diode Construction
- DIO: Interpreting Laser Diode Specifications
- DIO: What About High Power Visible Laser Diodes?
- DIO: And Those Really High Power Laser Diodes?
- DIO: And Those High Power Pulsed Laser Diodes?
- DIO: Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Diodes (VCSELs)
- DIO: Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser (OPSL)
- DIO: Vertical Extended Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VECSEL)
- DIO: Laser Diode Light Bulbs?
- DIO: On-line Introductions to Diode Lasers
- DIO: Additional Laser Diode Information
- DIO: Beam Characteristics, Correction, Comparison with Other Lasers, Noise
- DIO: Beam Characteristics of Laser Diodes
- DIO: Measuring Laser Diode Beam Characteristics
- DIO: Correcting for Unwanted Laser Diode Beam Characteristics
- DIO: Laser Diodes with Built-In Beam Correction
- DIO: Laser Diodes with Built-In Drivers
- DIO: Beam Correction for Multimode Laser Diodes
- DIO: Coherence Length of Laser Diodes
- DIO: Coherence Time of Laser Diodes
- DIO: Temperature Dependence on Laser Diodes
- DIO: Comments on Laser Diode Noise and Suppression
- DIO: Diode Laser Modules and Laser Pointers
- DIO: Alternatives to Using Raw Laser Diodes
- DIO: A Brief History of the Laser Pointer
- DIO: Laser Pointer Specifications
- DIO: Equivalent Brightness Ratings and Laser Pointer Visibility
- DIO: What's Inside a Laser Pointer?
- DIO: Laser Pointers that Produce Multiple Patterns
- DIO: Orange, Yellow, and Green Light from Red Laser Pointer?
- DIO: Green (or Other Color) Laser Pointers
- DIO: Additional Precautions with Respect to Green DPSS Laser Pointers
- DIO: Comments on Souped Up Laser Pointers for Buyers and Sellers
- DIO: The Benefits of Cheap Laser Pointers for Modulation
- DIO: Difference Between Diode Laser Modules and Laser Pointers
- DIO: Sources for Inexpensive Diode Laser Modules
- DIO: How to Determine if You Have a Diode Laser Module
- DIO: Brightest Laser Pointer for Outdoor Use?
- DIO: Can I Boost the Power Output of a Laser Pointer or Diode Laser Module?
- DIO: What About Using Rechargeable Batteries in a Laser Pointer?
- DIO: Using an External Power Supply or Wall Adapter for a Laser Pointer
- DIO: Can I Increase the Life of a Laser Pointer?
- DIO: Electrical Modulation of a Laser Pointer or Diode Laser Module
- DIO: Optical Modulation of a Laser Pointer or Diode Laser Module
- DIO: Causes of Laser Pointer Output Power Changing When Directed at a Mirror
- DIO: Disassembling a Laser Pointer
- DIO: Problems with Really Cheap Laser Pointers
- DIO: Can a Fried Laser Pointer or Diode Laser Module be Repaired?
- DIO: Repair of Diode Laser Pointers
- DIO: Cleaning Diode Laser Module Optics
- DIO: Damage to Camera Sensor from Laser Pointer?
- DIO: Anatomy of Fiber-Coupled Laser Diodes
- DIO: Opto Power Corporation Fiber-Coupled Laser Diode
- DIO: Opto Power Corporation High Power Fiber-Coupled Laser Diode
- DIO: Spectra-Physics Fiber-Coupled Laser Diode
- DIO: Spectra-Physics High Power Fiber-Coupled Laser Diode Bar
- DIO: Repairing a Shorted FCBar Module - Sort Of
- DIO: Replacment of a Damaged FCBar Fiberoptic Cable
- DIO: Low Power Visible and IR Laser Diodes
- DIO: Low Power Visible Laser Diodes
- DIO: CD player and Other Low Power IR Laser Diodes
- DIO: Example of Laser Printer Diode Laser Module
- DIO: CD Player/CDROM Drive Laser Diode Characteristics
- DIO: Hologram Laser Diodes
- DIO: Determining Characteristics and Testing of Laser Diodes
- DIO: Working with Laser Diodes
- DIO: Determining Characteristics of Laser Diodes Removed From Equipment
- DIO: Testing of Laser Diodes Using a Lab Power Supply
- DIO: Testing of Low Power Laser Diodes
- DIO: Determining the Laser Diode Pinout
- DIO: Powering Up the Laser Diode
- DIO: Limited Destructive Testing of Low Power Laser Diodes
- DIO: Measuring Laser Diode Current in Equipment
- DIO: Art's Comments on the Testing of Unidentified Laser Diodes
- DIO: Characteristics of Some Typical Low Power Visible Laser Diodes
- DIO: Testing of Violet Laser Diodes
- DIO: Testing of Telecom Laser Diodes
- DIO: Testing of CD, DVD, HD-DVD, and Blu-ray Burner Laser Diodes
- DIO: Testing of High Power Laser Diodes
- DIO: Identifying Connections On High Power Packaged Laser Diodes
- DIO: Determining Partial High Power LD Specifications Non-Destructively
- DIO: Determining High Power LD Specifications by Testing to Destruction
- DIO: Estimating Threshold Current of High Power Laser Diodes
- DIO: Characteristics of Some Typical High Power IR Platesetter Laser Diodes
- DIO: Testing of Really High Power Laser Diodes
- DIO: Characteristics of Some Really High Power IR Diode Lasers
- DIO: Methods of Sensing IR
- DIO: IR Detector Circuit
- DIO: Testing of Some Selected Laser Diode and Driver Combinations
- DIO: Testing the Toshiba TOLD9421 with the iC-Haus WJB Driver
- DIO: Testing the NVG D660-5 with the NVG NS102 Driver
- DIO: Testing the NVG D660-5 with the iC-Haus IC-WK Driver
- DIO: Use of Salvaged CD Laser Diodes, Replacement, Substitution
- DIO: Reasons to Leave the CD Laser Diode in the Optical Block
- DIO: Replacing a Laser Diode of Unknown Specifications
- DIO: Substituting One Type of Laser Diode for Another
- DIO: Removing the Cover from a Laser Diode
- DIO: Laser Diode Life, Damage Mechanisms, COD and ASE, Drive, Cooling
- DIO: Laser Diode Life
- DIO: How Can I Tell if My Laser Diode has Been Damaged?
- DIO: How Sensitive are Laser Diodes, Really?
- DIO: Laser Diode Damage Mechanisms
- DIO: Variation in Laser Diode Damage Sensitivity
- DIO: What is ASE of Laser Diodes?
- DIO: Comments on Driving Laser Diodes Without Optical Feedback
- DIO: Frequency Response of Internal Photodiodes
- DIO: Cooling of Laser Diodes
- DIO: Comments on Pulsing of Common Laser Diodes
- DIO: Laser Diode Wavelengths, Spectra and Visibility of NIR Laser Diodes
- DIO: Wavelengths of Diode Lasers
- DIO: Spectra of Visible and IR Laser Diodes
- DIO: Visibility of Near-IR (NIR) Laser Diodes
- DIO: Spectral Width Measurements of Diode Lasers
- DIO: How LEDs Compare to Laser Diodes - Wavelengths, Spectrum, Power, Focus, Safety
- DIO: Wavelengths of Common LEDs
- DIO: Spectrum of LEDs
- DIO: Power Output of Common LEDs
- DIO: High Power LEDs
- DIO: Efficiency of LEDs
- DIO: Measuring Efficiency of LEDs
- DIO: Super Bright LEDs Versus Laser Diodes
- DIO: Why Can an LED Not be Focused Like a Laser Diode?
- DIO: Vision Safety Comparison of Laser Diode, LED, and Light Bulb
- DIO: Wavelength Shift of LEDs at High Current
- DIO: Other LED Information
- DIO: Availability of Green, Blue, and Violet Laser Diodes
- DIO: What's All the Fuss About?
- DIO: Comments on Short Wavelength Laser Diodes
- DIO: More Information on Short Wavelength Laser Diodes
- DIO: An Ophthalmic Retinal Coagulator Laser System
Diode Laser Power Supplies
Helium-Neon Lasers
- HEN: HeNe Laser Characteristics, Applications, Safety
- HEN: Introduction to Helium-Neon Lasers
- HEN: Some Applications of a 1 mW Helium-Neon Laser
- HEN: HeNe Laser Safety
- HEN: Comments on HeNe Laser Safety Issues
- HEN: Theory of Operation, Modes, Coherence Length, On-Line Course
- HEN: Instant HeNe Laser Theory
- HEN: Summary of the HeNe Lasing Process
- HEN: Longitudinal Modes of Operation
- HEN: More on Resonator Length and Mode Hopping
- HEN: Observing Longitudinal Modes of a HeNe Laser
- HEN: Longitudinal Mode Pulling
- HEN: Transverse Modes of Operation
- HEN: Multi-Transverse Mode HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Coherence Length of HeNe Lasers
- HEN: What is Mode Locking?
- HEN: HeNe Laser Output Power Fluctuation During Warmup
- HEN: Plots of HeNe Laser Power Output and Polarized Modes During Warmup
- HEN: Intensity Stability of HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Stabilized Single Frequency HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Digital Control of Stabilized HeNe Lasers?
- HEN: On-line Introductions to HeNe Lasers
- HEN: HeNe Laser Tubes, Heads, Structure, Power Requirements, Lifetime
- HEN: Early Versus Modern HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Structure of Internal Mirror HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Gas Fill and Getter
- HEN: Mirrors in Sealed HeNe Tubes
- HEN: Mirror Reflectances for Some Typical HeNe Lasers
- HEN: More About HeNe Dielectric Mirrors
- HEN: Random and Linear Polarized HeNe Tubes
- HEN: More on Mode Cycling in Short HeNe Lasers
- HEN: HeNe Mode Flipper Observations
- HEN: Polarization of Longitudinal Modes in HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Power Requirements for HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Operating Regions of a HeNe Laser Tube
- HEN: HeNe Tube Dimensions, Drive, and Power Output
- HEN: Highest Power HeNe Laser?
- HEN: Boosting the Power Output of a HeNe Laser?
- HEN: Bare HeNe Tubes and Laser Heads
- HEN: HeNe Tube Seals and Lifetime
- HEN: An Older HeNe Laser Tube
- HEN: HeNe Laser Pointers
- HEN: HeNe Lasers using External Mirrors
- HEN: A One-Brewster HeNe Laser Tube
- HEN: Designing a Helium-Neon Laser Tube
- HEN: Parallel Plate HeNe Laser Tube
- HEN: Wavelengths, Beam Characteristics
- HEN: HeNe Laser Wavelengths
- HEN: Exact Frequency/Wavelength of HeNe Lasers
- HEN: HeNe Laser Beam Characteristics
- HEN: Ghost Beams From HeNe Laser Tubes
- HEN: Getting Other Lasing Wavelengths from Internal Mirror HeNe Laser Tubes
- HEN: Bruce's Notes on Getting Other Lines from Red (633 nm) HeNe Laser Tubes
- HEN: Other Spectral Lines in HeNe Laser Output
- HEN: About the Waste Beam from a HeNe Laser
- HEN: Magnets in High Power or Precision HeNe Laser Heads
- HEN: Effects of Magnetic Fields on HeNe Laser Operation
- HEN: Typical Magnet Configurations
- HEN: Internal Mirror HeNe Tubes up to 35 mW - Red and Other Colors
- HEN: Typical HeNe Tube Specifications
- HEN: HeNe Tubes of a Different Color
- HEN: Determining HeNe Laser Color from the Appearance of the Mirrors
- HEN: More on Other Color HeNe Lasers
- HEN: Steve's Comments on Superradiance and the 3.39 um HeNe Laser
- HEN: Viewing Spectral Lines in Discharge, Other Colors in Output
- HEN: Instant Spectroscope for Viewing Lines in HeNe Discharge
- HEN: Other Color Lines in Red HeNe Laser Output
- HEN: Demonstration HeNe Lasers, Weatherproofing
- HEN: Putting Together a Demonstration HeNe Laser
- HEN: The Ultimate Demonstration HeNe Laser
- HEN: Guidelines for a Demonstraton One-Brewster HeNe Laser
- HEN: Weatherproofing a HeNe Laser
- HEN: Interesting, Strange, and Unidentified HeNe Lasers
- HEN: When Your Laser Doesn't Fit the Mold
- HEN: Segmented HeNe Tubes
- HEN: Strange High Power HeNe Laser
- HEN: The Aerotech LS4P HeNe Laser Tube
- HEN: A Really Old HeNe Laser
- HEN: The Dual Color Yellow/Orange HeNe Laser Tube
- HEN: The Weird Three-Color PMS HeNe Laser Head
- HEN: The Ancient Hughes HeNe Laser Head
- HEN: The PMS/REO External Resonator Particle Counter HeNe Laser
- HEN: The Ohmeda Raman Gas Analyzer REO One-Brewster Laser
- HEN: The REO One-Brewster Particle Counter HeNe Laser
- HEN: The Keuffel and Esser 71-2615 Autocollimating Alignment Laser
Commercial HeNe Lasers
HeNe Laser Testing, Adjustment, Repair
- HTR: HeNe Tube Problems and Testing
- HTR: How Can I Tell if My Tube is Good?
- HTR: Testing a HeNe Laser Tube Without a Compatible Power Supply
- HTR: Quick and Dirty Universal HeNe Laser Test Power Supply
- HTR: HeNe Tube Lases but Color of Discharge Changes Along Length of Bore
- HTR: Starting Problems and Hard-to-Start Tubes
- HTR: About Hard Start HeNe Tubes
- HTR: Adding a Start Wire
- HTR: Possible Causes of No Output with a Normal Discharge Glow
- HTR: Possible Causes of Low Output with a Normal Discharge Glow
- HTR: Doughnut Mode Beam from TEM00 HeNe Laser
- HTR: Unstable or Flickering HeNe Tube
- HTR: Sputtering or Erratic HeNe Tube
- HTR: Alden Connector Problems and Repair
- HTR: Cyclical Variations in Output Beam Power
- HTR: Power Variations Due to Lack of Mirror Substrate Wedge
- HTR: HeNe Tube Use and Life Expectancy
- HTR: HeNe Laser Tube Gas Pressure and End-Of-Life
- HTR: Examples of HeNe Laser Tube Bore Spectral Measurements
- HTR: Reasons for Short HeNe Tube Lifetime
- HTR: Brown Deposits Inside HeNe Tube Bore
- HTR: Care of HeNe Laser Tubes
- HTR: Tip-Off Comments
- HTR: Troubleshooting an External Mirror HeNe Laser
- HTR: External Mirror HeNe Laser Health Checklist
- HTR: Can I Increase Output Power Using the Waste Beam from the HR?
- HTR: Reducing the Output Power of a HeNe Laser
- HTR: Connections, Electrical Characteristics, Output Power
- HTR: Identifying Connections to Unmarked HeNe Tube or Laser Head
- HTR: Getting the HeNe Tube Out of a Laser Head Intact
- HTR: Replacing the HeNe Tube in a Melles Griot Laser Head
- HTR: Determining Electrical Characteristics of Unmarked HeNe Tube or Laser Head
- HTR: Measuring the Negative Resistance of a HeNe Tube
- HTR: Determining Output Power
- HTR: Measuring HeNe Laser Output Power
- HTR: Testing of Non-Red HeNe Lasers
- HTR: Identifying the Manufacturer of a HeNe Laser Tube
- HTR: Internal Mirror HeNe Tube Optics
- HTR: Cleaning HeNe Optics
- HTR: Why You Shouldn't Touch the Mirrors or Mirror Mounts
- HTR: Damage to Mirror Coatings of Internal Mirror Laser Tubes
- HTR: Sputtering Overcoat or Debris on Mirrors
- HTR: Mirror Coating Vanishes
- HTR: Problems with Mirror Alignment
- HTR: Checking and Correcting Mirror Alignment of Internal Mirror Laser Tubes
- HTR: Minor Problems with Mirror Alignment
- HTR: Quick Check of Mirror Alignment
- HTR: Minor Mirror Alignment Procedure
- HTR: Means of Adjusting HeNe Tube Mirrors
- HTR: Major Problems with Mirror Alignment
- HTR: Walking the Mirrors in Internal Mirror Laser Tubes
- HTR: Simple Adjustable Optics Platform
- HTR: Sam's Eazalign(tm) Internal Mirror Laser Tube Alignment Platform
- HTR: Home-Built Three-Screw Mirror Adjusters for Internal Mirror Tubes
- HTR: Initial Alignment and Tweaking of Three-Screw Adjusters
- HTR: Sam's Instalign(tm) Procedure for Internal Mirror Tube Mirror Alignment
- HTR: Sam's Approach for Aligning an External Mirror Laser with the Mirrors in Place
- HTR: Quick Course in Fine Tuning a Large Frame HeNe Laser
- HTR: Daniel's Methods for Internal Mirror HeNe Tube Mirror Alignment
- HTR: The Basic Procedure
- HTR: Now for the Quick and Easier Short Cut
- HTR: Notes on Viewing the Spot
- HTR: Notes on the Alignment Jig
- HTR: Daniel's Method for Aligning External Mirror Lasers
- HTR: Flavio's Comments on HeNe Tube Mirror Alignment
- HTR: Rich's Procedure for External Mirror HeNe Laser Alignment
- HTR: Dave's General External Mirror Alignment
- HTR: Dave's Quickie External Mirror Alignment Technique for the SP-120
- HTR: Dave's Preferred External Mirror Alignment Technique for Long Lasers
- HTR: Cat's Eye Mirror for Hassle-Free Alignment
- HTR: Mirror Alignment with just an Optical Power Meter
- HTR: Inconsistent Behavior of HeNe Laser Alignment
- HTR: Cleaning and Alignment of the Spectra-Physics 907 HeNe Laser
- HTR: Sam's Procedure and Comments
- HTR: Michael's Procedure
- HTR: Collimation of HeNe Lasers
- HTR: Reasons for Poor Collimation
- HTR: Improving the Collimation of a HeNe Laser with a Beam Expander
- HTR: Beam Polarization of HeNe Lasers
- HTR: Typical Polarization Characteristics and Problems
- HTR: Determining if a Laser Tube is Linearly Polarized
- HTR: Unrandomizing the Polarization of a Randomly Polarized HeNe Tube
- HTR: Magnets and Mode Plots
- HTR: Magnet Tests with a Polarized HeNe Laser Tube
- HTR: Repairing Leaky or Broken HeNe Tubes
- HTR: Gas Fill Problems with HeNe Tubes
- HTR: Rejuvenating HeNe Tubes
- HTR: Helium Soaking
- HTR: Reactivating the Getter
- HTR: Repairing and Refilling a HeNe Tube at Home?
- HTR: Regrinding or Otherwise Compensating for a Chipped Mirror
- HTR: Using a Microwave Oven to Evaluate and Revive HeNe Laser Tubes
- HTR: Reports from Sam's HeNe Laser Hospital
- HTR: Sam Succeeds in Aligning a LONG HeNe Tube
- HTR: Repairing the Northern Lights Tube
- HTR: Strengthening a Weak Siemens HeNe Tube
- HTR: Attempting to Revive Some Soft-Seal HeNe Tubes
- HTR: Followup Experiments with a Low Power RF Source on Patient #3
- HTR: Treatement for the Yellow HeNe Laser Tube with a Warped Bore
- HTR: Reviving a Spectra-Physics Model 130B Antique Laser
- HTR: Restoration of a Spectra-Physics Model 130B Antique
- HTR: Two Melles Griot HeNe Laser Heads with Terminal Sputtering Disease
- HTR: Four Melles Griot HeNe Laser Heads with Broken Bores
- HTR: Spectra-Physics Model 120 HeNe Laser Head with Terminal Gas Leakage Disease
- HTR: Spectra-Physics Model 120 HeNe Laser Head with Moderate Gas Leakage Disease
- HTR: Spectra-Physics Model 907 With No Output
- HTR: Melles Griot GreNe with No Output
- HTR: Melles Griot Long GreNes with No Output
- HTR: Melles Griot Yellow Laser Head With No Output
- HTR: Melles Griot Yellow Laser Head With Variable Output
- HTR: Output Power Plots of Yellow HeNe Laser Heads
- HTR: External Mirror Therapy for Variable 05-LYR-171 Yellow Laser Head
- HTR: Assorted Red Laser Heads With Variable Waste Beam Power
- HTR: Case Study of 145 Melles Griot 05-LHR-640 HeNe Laser Tubes
- HTR: Some Hughes 3184H Semi-Antique HeNe Laser Heads
- HTR: Hughes 3184H HeNe Laser Plasma Tube Test Rail
- HTR: Hughes 3176H HeNe Laser Head with 3509H Power Supply with Low Output
- HTR: Transplant Surgery for Two Sick Spectra-Physics Model 117 Stabilized HeNe Laser Heads
- HTR: SP-117 HeNe Laser Tube Replacement Procedure
- HTR: Melles Griot 05-LHP-925 Won't Start
- HTR: Spectra-Physics Model 155 Won't Start
- HTR: Two Tortured LASOS LGK7512P Yellow HeNe Laser Headss
- HTR: REO One-Brewster Tube - No Lasing
- HTR: REO One-Brewster Tube - Slightly Low Output
- HTR: REO One-Brewster Tube - Very Low Output
- HTR: PMS One-Brewster Tube - No Lasing
- HTR: Aerotech LS4P HeNe Laser Tube - No Lasing
HeNe Laser Power Supplies
- HPS: Requirements, Types, Choices, Build or Buy, Safety
- HPS: Basic HeNe Laser Power Supply Considerations
- HPS: So Many Choices
- HPS: SAFETY when Dealing with HeNe Laser Power Supplies
- HPS: Adding a Bleeder Resistor to a HeHe Laser Power Supply
- HPS: Construction Alternatives, Organization
- HPS: Constructing Your Own Power Supply
- HPS: Basic HeNe Laser Power Supply Organization
- HPS: RF or Microwave Power Supply for HeNe Laser?
- HPS: Neon Tube Power Supply for HeNe Laser?
- HPS: Using Commercially Available Power Supplies
- HPS: Powering Your HeNe Tube the Easy Way
- HPS: Compatibility Checklist for HeNe Laser Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: Melles Griot HeNe Laser Power Supplies
- HPS: Laser Drive HeNe Laser Power Supplies
- HPS: Hughes HeNe Laser Power Supplies
- HPS: Common Color Coding of Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: Sample Color Coding of AC Input Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: Sample Color Coding of DC Input Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: Importance of Fusing Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: Adapters for DC HeNe Laser Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: Examples of the Use of Commercial Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: 1 mW HeNe Laser Powered by 12 VDC, 1 A Wall Adapter
- HPS: 2 mW HeNe Laser Using AC Line Operated Power Supply Brick
- HPS: Lab Style HeNe Laser Power Supply Using Power Supply Brick
- HPS: Initial Testing of HeNe Laser Power Supply Bricks
- HPS: HeNe Laser Power Supplies in Series or Parallel?
- HPS: Boosting the Current of a HeNe Laser Power Supply
- HPS: Reducing the Current of a HeNe Laser Power Supply
- HPS: Using a HeNe Laser Power Supply for Other Applications
- HPS: Ballast Resistors, Function, Selecting
- HPS: What is the Purpose of the Ballast Resistor?
- HPS: Locations of the Ballast Resistance
- HPS: Selecting the Ballast Resistor Using Your HeNe Tube
- HPS: Selecting the Ballast Resistor Using a Dummy Load
- HPS: Determining Characteristics, Fixed Current Considerations
- HPS: Determining the Compliance Range of a Power Supply
- HPS: Fixed Current Power Supply Considerations
- HPS: Power Supply Measurements, Testing, Repair
- HPS: Making Measurements on HeNe Laser Power Supplies
- HPS: Ballast Resistor Selector and Meter Box
- HPS: Testing a HeNe Laser Power Supply
- HPS: HeNe Laser Power Supply Repair
- HPS: Replacing a Regulator Stack with Resistors
HeNe Laser Power Supply Design
Complete HeNe Laser Power Supply Schematics