IR laser from DVD burner

The CD burning/reading diode from a DVD burner: Lasing threshold of this one is 40 mA. It was easy to find that out with my Apple iSight cam.
At 130 mA it burns through black plastic, and at 150mA (on 2 1,5 volt AAA Alkalines), it stings your skin in seconds. At 160 ma it lights a match. I let it on for minutes and it didn't became very warm. Maybe it's possible to use it with an even higher current, but because it's invisible and not as 'safe' as the visible red diode, i don't have use for it yet.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• infrared
• ir
• laser
• cd
• dvd
• burner

[MilkDot]

it'll be funny if his roof caught on fire.

[knalert]

THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS THE LIGHT IS INVISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE. IF YOU LOOK DIRECTLY IN THIS LASER YOU WILL GET BLIND!!!

thumbs up to protect others.

[pietzeekoe]

I need a non-burning IR laser anyone know where I can get one?

[orbiter8]

@knalert Agreed. I did this once and had a headache for two days afterwards. No blindness yet though thankfully. Looking into ANY laser is abad idea! Looking into lasers >5mw is VERY bad idea and can burn your retinas immediately depending on power output.

[ccolley3]

ohhhh coool mannn.. lol

[devourment8800]

@hakanai dam my green laser went infra red when i fiddled with the variable resistor to make it brighter, instead it went very dim red and i could only tell this by shining it right in my eyeball. didnt feel hot.... reken it coulda still fucked my eyes?

[badnewswade]

er... might not be a good idea to test it on your skin... cancer risk.

[aGruntNamedYayap]

wow careful very cool though

[aGruntNamedYayap]

wow careful 

[Okiimiru]

Infrared Lasers are useful as invisible scopes in airsoft. You can see them if you have infrared goggles on. 

[kirnikolaki]

How many batteries do you use? What is the voltage? Do you use any lenses/glasses infront of the laser droid?