You've done something I've dreamed of doing since I was a kid - Build a high power ruby laser. Do you have any detailed plans or photos? Where did you get the crystal? I must know more.
Well, thanks. However, those greenies are still dangerous. You've only got 2 eyes, and if you're blind, you're blind. The handhelds are more dangerous in a sense: they can be pointed anywhere, and they are continuous (or practically so, even when pulsed). Stray reflections from glass, jewelry, or any shiny object, can result in permanent eye injury. Anything above 5mW should be treated with the same respect as a fire arm. Be careful! Lasers aren't toys.
@magx1@magx1@magx1@magx1@magx1 I know mate. I used to trade them and even redesign a bit in terms of focusing and making them more burnable for those kids who want to pop balloons with cheaper toys. That is all childish dollies. "Watch my 200 mW burns black tape". all that dummy stuff. They don't even realize they have to wear protective goggles. Too stupid and "cool".
What pushed you to build this machine? Very original approach. You can be like Engineer Garin with his Hyperboloid!
Respond to this video... Wanted to ask you - do you burn those holes just with one pulse or you have to keep turning that machine wheel to generate continues pulse sequence?
I've seen a lot of ruby lasers where the flash lamp is a spiral wrapped around the ruby rod. At least in theory, wouldn't it be more efficient to have a hollow mirrored elliptical cylinder with the ruby rod in a focus and a linear flash lamp in the other?
You are correct. However, a tightly coupled arrangement is easier for amateur construction. Elliptical reflectors are only better if they are designed properly. With elliptical reflectors; the rod, lamp, and reflector must be parallel. The rod and lamp must be positioned exactly along the focal axises of the reflector. Unless special consideration is given to optical precision, elliptical reflectors are ineffective when compared to a simple design, like the one that I use.
Hi! Exellent job. Can you explain some tips: Is it possible to use homemade flat semitransparent silver mirror and total reflecting one instead of specific dielectric laser mirror? And if you say yes - can them be used in Nd:YAG infrared laser? Is it possible to adjust optic resonator with common screws? In other words - what components can be made by hands?
@ivanov3000mltk Yes and no. You can use a flat total reflecting mirror and a semi transparent mirror with a ruby rod. No you cannot use them in a YAG laser. Actually if you place the mirrors against the ruby rod you need no adjustment screws at all. You will get laser output but not optimal. Point is it will work and before anyone comments Ive done it, it works but it wastes alot of energy. Do yourself a favor and get some krypton mirrors or red dye laser mirrors on ebay
No. The atoms only store energy and release it. However, they will only do so in pulses. Ordinary ruby lasers cannot be made to generate a continuous beam, the way that common laser pointers do.
@magx1is right. Most ruby lasers are pulsed. The chromium atoms in the ruby never run out so the rod can last forever (If used properly). CW ruby lasers pumped by lamps are possible and available, although the powers are much lower than the pulsed versions. Ive done a CW ruby laser by pumping the ruby rod with the 514.5-nm argon ion laser line though very inefficient. Best part though is you don't need a coated ruby rod or external mirrors at all.
Coated ruby rod and external mirrors? Please explain. When you say "coated" ruby rod, are you talking about a rod with silvered ends to form a resonator? Are you saying that a ruby rod requires no mirrors or resonator when pumped CW with an argon ion laser?
@magx1 Coated ruby rods have the mirror medium deposited on the the rod ends. External mirrors are obviously external. When pumping a ruby laser rod with an argon laser it does not need the ends to be coated. It needs no mirrors at all for laser action to occur. It works like a dye laser cell pumped by a nitrogen laser that also needs no mirrors on the dye cell for lasing to occur.
Ruby lasers are also created via ruby dye in some type of medium, such as ethylene glycol. The mixture is continually being circulated so fresh dye is used. The problem is, like you said, you need to pump it with another laser. The biggest advantage to the system I described is it is tunable to a range of wavelengths.
Are you the kid who built a ruby laser for a science fair I read about 15 years ago? I think it said his dad got him the rod because his dad had some contacts.
Go to the description I provided and click on my Flickr set. You can then browse my other sets or my photostream. This laser has been changed and modified over time. You can see most of the details in my photostream, but you will have to wade through many other photos to see them. You can narrow the results in my photostream by searching with key words.
Thanks. You can get a rod like this off of Ebay. Laser ruby should be pale pink in color (.03 to .05% chromium). Dark rubies will not work. A combined series of ordinary glass slides will work for the OC. The HR can be a flat dielectric mirror designed for HeNe wavlengths, or possibly a surface first mirror from inside of a laser printer, or from inside of a CD/DVD related device.
@magx1 Thanks for the response. Unfortunately for me, there are no ruby rods on Ebay at this time (just some Nd:YAG rods, but I want a visible light). Your power source looks big. Is there something more compact to power it?
Look for equipment containing a rod, such as rangefinders or medical equipment. Circuitry can be much smaller - especially if you are experienced with modern electronics. Mine is a low-tech approach. That is why it requires so much space. But the circuitry can be MUCH smaller. The capacitors are the one thing that must be large - requires large electrolytic capacitors.
Hi, just want to ask, did you use any "Q: switch in your laser
I have a similar device, but didn't build it like you did, I got the rod and the lamp, and every thing else, OC mirror reflecting mirror, if I put it together will it do like it did in yours blasting holes through steel, even without "Q" switching? i'll wait for your reply
@Mato0092 I think those Nd:YAG rods are a steal at only $19, and you kind of need to shine a visible laser through it anyway to see where the laser is going to hit.
I am a born again Christian. I have trusted God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to be my savior. Witchcraft has nothing to do with the video or it's contents.
This is not really possible. Unfortunately, the capacitors are quite large. Ruby lasers are powerful, but inefficient. They were largely replaced with Yag lasers. Compared to ruby, YAG lasers are small and efficient.
Starbursts off the razor blade are carbon granules flying off and exploding. If you know what you're looking at, you can figure the alloy of whatever metal you're drilling.
Good point. However, I have a very good reason for not doing so. With video, all you will see is puffs of smoke when the beam hits it's target. It's too fast/brief to see the action. It would be like making a video of a fire cracker exploding. However, with a still camera, I can catch the action in great detail. All the interesting stuff is frozen for observation. I want to make another video using animation. It will use combined stills. The result will look like video, but still show details.
Very good results! I'm building also a ruby laser( but using a 40x8 mm rod with 2 helical flashlamp). I would ask you some questions: Are the mirrors curved or plane? What do you use to charge the capacitors?
I have all the parts to start except the power supply, do you think that a rectified NST could work to provide 1250v?
My HR is curved with a focal length of several meters. I use a 550 volt AC transformer. When rectified, this provides about 775 volts DC. Being able to use your NST will depend on many variables - I need some information before I can answer this question. Please contact me through my 'inbox' or on my "channel" page.
Hey, that's simply AWESOME! Not only for the laser work done here, but also for the quality of the report and its pictures... They are fantastic!
By the way, do you mind telling us the photo-setup you have used? I'm looking myself for a fast shooting camera to capture scenes like that... Could you comment what equipment have you used? ...it seems you were able to get millisecond events! Thanks!
Hey Magx1 your videos are awesome. The video of the blue nitrogen laser was posted in a thread on laserpointerforums,com and people love it. You should check out the forum, and chat with all of us, and no this isn't spam lol its really an invite.
Wow, those are some great pictures!! It only seems as simple as a flash lamp and a ruby rod... Doesn't the shrapnel from the target pit the focusing lense?
Thanks. You are correct, the rod and lamp is the heart of it all. Real catch is in having proper mirrors/feedback, proper alignment, and enough energy to threshold the rod. My lamp is supplied with almost 370 Joules at 700 volts. And yes, the lens must be cleaned from time to time. Sparks don't really hurt the lens. They are tiny particles, and they nearly burn up completely so there is very little left.
he hate his wife :D
syszone 2 weeks ago
i enjoyed this vid
thejameskan 1 month ago
Darth Vader would be proud
Alphadog7100 1 month ago
great video thanks
simysimss 1 month ago
nice!!!
paulius360 2 months ago
you are the master of disaster XD
MrEuler0 2 months ago
You've done something I've dreamed of doing since I was a kid - Build a high power ruby laser. Do you have any detailed plans or photos? Where did you get the crystal? I must know more.
shkunk1 4 months ago 2
@shkunk1
I have a web site (under construction). I'll post my web site address on my Youtube channel.
magx1 4 months ago
Well this project is definitely worth of attention, not like those clown 200 mW green laser crap! Well done bro!
Binarychicken 6 months ago
@Binarychicken
Well, thanks. However, those greenies are still dangerous. You've only got 2 eyes, and if you're blind, you're blind. The handhelds are more dangerous in a sense: they can be pointed anywhere, and they are continuous (or practically so, even when pulsed). Stray reflections from glass, jewelry, or any shiny object, can result in permanent eye injury. Anything above 5mW should be treated with the same respect as a fire arm. Be careful! Lasers aren't toys.
magx1 6 months ago
@magx1 @magx1 @magx1 @magx1 @magx1 I know mate. I used to trade them and even redesign a bit in terms of focusing and making them more burnable for those kids who want to pop balloons with cheaper toys. That is all childish dollies. "Watch my 200 mW burns black tape". all that dummy stuff. They don't even realize they have to wear protective goggles. Too stupid and "cool".
What pushed you to build this machine? Very original approach. You can be like Engineer Garin with his Hyperboloid!
Binarychicken 6 months ago
Respond to this video... Wanted to ask you - do you burn those holes just with one pulse or you have to keep turning that machine wheel to generate continues pulse sequence?
Binarychicken 6 months ago
@magx1 so a red laser pointer es very dangerous? am afraid i was exposed to the laser while playing around with one of them i bought at 7/11
Zaidmolina 4 weeks ago
So where can one get a ruby rod at?
PropheciesofWar 6 months ago
@PropheciesofWar
Ebay
magx1 6 months ago
@magx1 how much did it cost you?
kitler01 3 months ago
I've seen a lot of ruby lasers where the flash lamp is a spiral wrapped around the ruby rod. At least in theory, wouldn't it be more efficient to have a hollow mirrored elliptical cylinder with the ruby rod in a focus and a linear flash lamp in the other?
DevilMaster 7 months ago
@DevilMaster
You are correct. However, a tightly coupled arrangement is easier for amateur construction. Elliptical reflectors are only better if they are designed properly. With elliptical reflectors; the rod, lamp, and reflector must be parallel. The rod and lamp must be positioned exactly along the focal axises of the reflector. Unless special consideration is given to optical precision, elliptical reflectors are ineffective when compared to a simple design, like the one that I use.
magx1 7 months ago
NEED SCHEMATIC AND MORE DETAILS! please :)
trapingman 9 months ago
SO COOL! drooool........
roflinitup 11 months ago
thats the sketchiest thing i have ever seen. lol a whole bunch of bottles hooked up to wires. Anyways, nice job. its really good!
sumosumo84 11 months ago
Hi! Exellent job. Can you explain some tips: Is it possible to use homemade flat semitransparent silver mirror and total reflecting one instead of specific dielectric laser mirror? And if you say yes - can them be used in Nd:YAG infrared laser? Is it possible to adjust optic resonator with common screws? In other words - what components can be made by hands?
ivanov3000mltk 1 year ago
@ivanov3000mltk Yes and no. You can use a flat total reflecting mirror and a semi transparent mirror with a ruby rod. No you cannot use them in a YAG laser. Actually if you place the mirrors against the ruby rod you need no adjustment screws at all. You will get laser output but not optimal. Point is it will work and before anyone comments Ive done it, it works but it wastes alot of energy. Do yourself a favor and get some krypton mirrors or red dye laser mirrors on ebay
thallium200 1 year ago
Where do you get a ruby laser rod??? I need one that would fit the SSY-1 Nd:YAG laser head. Dont say ebay, because ebay only has yag and erbium rods.
TheNuclearWatermelon 1 year ago
so yours can?
robotpredator8 1 year ago
hey does the atoms in the ruby finish if you use it too long?do you always need to buy a new one?
robotpredator8 1 year ago
@robotpredator8
No. The atoms only store energy and release it. However, they will only do so in pulses. Ordinary ruby lasers cannot be made to generate a continuous beam, the way that common laser pointers do.
magx1 1 year ago
@magx1is right. Most ruby lasers are pulsed. The chromium atoms in the ruby never run out so the rod can last forever (If used properly). CW ruby lasers pumped by lamps are possible and available, although the powers are much lower than the pulsed versions. Ive done a CW ruby laser by pumping the ruby rod with the 514.5-nm argon ion laser line though very inefficient. Best part though is you don't need a coated ruby rod or external mirrors at all.
thallium200 1 year ago
@thallium200
Coated ruby rod and external mirrors? Please explain. When you say "coated" ruby rod, are you talking about a rod with silvered ends to form a resonator? Are you saying that a ruby rod requires no mirrors or resonator when pumped CW with an argon ion laser?
magx1 1 year ago
@magx1 Coated ruby rods have the mirror medium deposited on the the rod ends. External mirrors are obviously external. When pumping a ruby laser rod with an argon laser it does not need the ends to be coated. It needs no mirrors at all for laser action to occur. It works like a dye laser cell pumped by a nitrogen laser that also needs no mirrors on the dye cell for lasing to occur.
thallium200 1 year ago
@thallium200
Ruby lasers are also created via ruby dye in some type of medium, such as ethylene glycol. The mixture is continually being circulated so fresh dye is used. The problem is, like you said, you need to pump it with another laser. The biggest advantage to the system I described is it is tunable to a range of wavelengths.
tewaineo 1 year ago
@thallium200 its not most ruby lasers..the fact is that all ruby lasers are pulsed because of the xenon flash bulb.
firecrow1000 9 months ago
Are you the kid who built a ruby laser for a science fair I read about 15 years ago? I think it said his dad got him the rod because his dad had some contacts.
vmelkon 1 year ago
cool!! output power ??
BdanBlue 1 year ago
you are cool !! :)
BdanBlue 1 year ago
can you show a video about the parts of this and how you made it ?
robotpredator8 1 year ago
@robotpredator8
Go to the description I provided and click on my Flickr set. You can then browse my other sets or my photostream. This laser has been changed and modified over time. You can see most of the details in my photostream, but you will have to wade through many other photos to see them. You can narrow the results in my photostream by searching with key words.
magx1 1 year ago
Hi, that is a beautiful laser. Where did you get the rod and mirrors please? I would love to make something like this :) Please respond, thanks :)
Mato0092 1 year ago
@Mato0092
Thanks. You can get a rod like this off of Ebay. Laser ruby should be pale pink in color (.03 to .05% chromium). Dark rubies will not work. A combined series of ordinary glass slides will work for the OC. The HR can be a flat dielectric mirror designed for HeNe wavlengths, or possibly a surface first mirror from inside of a laser printer, or from inside of a CD/DVD related device.
magx1 1 year ago
@magx1 Thanks for the response. Unfortunately for me, there are no ruby rods on Ebay at this time (just some Nd:YAG rods, but I want a visible light). Your power source looks big. Is there something more compact to power it?
Mato0092 1 year ago
@Mato0092
Look for equipment containing a rod, such as rangefinders or medical equipment. Circuitry can be much smaller - especially if you are experienced with modern electronics. Mine is a low-tech approach. That is why it requires so much space. But the circuitry can be MUCH smaller. The capacitors are the one thing that must be large - requires large electrolytic capacitors.
magx1 1 year ago
Hi, just want to ask, did you use any "Q: switch in your laser
I have a similar device, but didn't build it like you did, I got the rod and the lamp, and every thing else, OC mirror reflecting mirror, if I put it together will it do like it did in yours blasting holes through steel, even without "Q" switching? i'll wait for your reply
Thanks
laserma 1 year ago
@Mato0092 I think those Nd:YAG rods are a steal at only $19, and you kind of need to shine a visible laser through it anyway to see where the laser is going to hit.
TheNuclearWatermelon 1 year ago
I am a born again Christian. I have trusted God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to be my savior. Witchcraft has nothing to do with the video or it's contents.
magx1 1 year ago
now all you gotta work on is somehow getting that down to a hand held size. haha
xdanielxcastrox 1 year ago
This is not really possible. Unfortunately, the capacitors are quite large. Ruby lasers are powerful, but inefficient. They were largely replaced with Yag lasers. Compared to ruby, YAG lasers are small and efficient.
magx1 1 year ago
Sorry but that is witchcraft and that is a sin against the Bible.
JesusChristRulesYOU 1 year ago
Starbursts off the razor blade are carbon granules flying off and exploding. If you know what you're looking at, you can figure the alloy of whatever metal you're drilling.
ozzyscruggs1 1 year ago
nice work!
ReturnofRage 2 years ago
Thanks.
magx1 2 years ago
you should've put videos of the laser instead of static pics
survivorevil 2 years ago
Good point. However, I have a very good reason for not doing so. With video, all you will see is puffs of smoke when the beam hits it's target. It's too fast/brief to see the action. It would be like making a video of a fire cracker exploding. However, with a still camera, I can catch the action in great detail. All the interesting stuff is frozen for observation. I want to make another video using animation. It will use combined stills. The result will look like video, but still show details.
magx1 2 years ago
vid could use more info on the trigger and the powersupply.
Ibringthetruth1 2 years ago
Where did you get the 550volt ac transformer.
I have some microwave transformers but they're too powerful i think.
Ibringthetruth1 2 years ago
Wow that's an impressive laser! What sort of output power does this produce?
SomeMoreVideos2468 2 years ago
No idea. I'm putting around 300 Joules in.
Thanks.
magx1 2 years ago
Very good results! I'm building also a ruby laser( but using a 40x8 mm rod with 2 helical flashlamp). I would ask you some questions: Are the mirrors curved or plane? What do you use to charge the capacitors?
I have all the parts to start except the power supply, do you think that a rectified NST could work to provide 1250v?
Thanks
rachm06 2 years ago
Thank you.
My HR is curved with a focal length of several meters. I use a 550 volt AC transformer. When rectified, this provides about 775 volts DC. Being able to use your NST will depend on many variables - I need some information before I can answer this question. Please contact me through my 'inbox' or on my "channel" page.
magx1 2 years ago
can it kill?
laser5890 2 years ago
The energy storage capacitors will kill like a loaded gun!
magx1 2 years ago
Very impressive results considering you used a 1064 OC. I'll have to try that one myself. What are the dimensions of the rod you used?
hightechstuff2 2 years ago
Thanks
The active length is 8cm. I think the 1064 works because I'm pumping with more energy than is needed for this rod.
magx1 2 years ago
Unbelievable ! What were your capacitance and inductance values?
drewteri 2 years ago
Capacitance is 1500uF.
Inductance was all trial and error, so I'm not sure of value.
Thank you for your compliments
magx1 2 years ago
Hey, that's simply AWESOME! Not only for the laser work done here, but also for the quality of the report and its pictures... They are fantastic!
By the way, do you mind telling us the photo-setup you have used? I'm looking myself for a fast shooting camera to capture scenes like that... Could you comment what equipment have you used? ...it seems you were able to get millisecond events! Thanks!
pakoyones 2 years ago
No special equipment. Just a Canon Power Shot A540 and a tripod. Lots of trial and error.
magx1 2 years ago
Hey Magx1 your videos are awesome. The video of the blue nitrogen laser was posted in a thread on laserpointerforums,com and people love it. You should check out the forum, and chat with all of us, and no this isn't spam lol its really an invite.
Buko45 2 years ago
Thank you for the invite. I'll check this out.
magx1 2 years ago
The visible beam is just great. Have to make one of those some day.
AnselmoFanZero 2 years ago
Thank you
magx1 2 years ago
Whats up next? ;-)
AnselmoFanZero 2 years ago
Wow, those are some great pictures!! It only seems as simple as a flash lamp and a ruby rod... Doesn't the shrapnel from the target pit the focusing lense?
Awesome work!!
CrashByron 2 years ago
Thanks. You are correct, the rod and lamp is the heart of it all. Real catch is in having proper mirrors/feedback, proper alignment, and enough energy to threshold the rod. My lamp is supplied with almost 370 Joules at 700 volts. And yes, the lens must be cleaned from time to time. Sparks don't really hurt the lens. They are tiny particles, and they nearly burn up completely so there is very little left.
magx1 2 years ago
Great pictures magx1
stuartthegrant 2 years ago
Thank you
magx1 2 years ago
Great done! Wonderful pictures!
Bazzty 2 years ago
Thanks
magx1 2 years ago