Homemade Carbon Dioxide Laser Running on Exhaled Breath!

"Look Mom; I Lased my Breath" ... Seriously, though - by exhaling into my 'supply' balloon, I was able to get pretty good results considering! Unlike a 'proper' laser mix of CO2, N2, and He; the 'breath' trick appears to have a much narrower pressure range over which lasing will occur. But I like it anyway - it doesn't get much more DIY than this!

Construction details of this device can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12049698@N02/sets/72157624001202153/

All my sets can be found here; featuring some of my other laser projects and experimental/HV work.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12049698@N02/sets/

Also: here is a powerful ruby laser I made. Unlike the CO2 laser, it produces a visible red beam. The output is pulsed, but it burns holes through steel. This set is my best: here you will see a visible red laser beam burning holes through such targets as screwdrivers, saws, and coins!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12049698@N02/sets/72157622792699231/detail/

This wonderful discovery would not have been realized, had it not been recommended to me by a scientist named Jon Singer. Jon Singer is with the Josh Research Institute. He heard that I was attempting to build a carbon dioxide laser from scratch, and he suggested the use of exhaled carbon dioxide. Unlike other professionals, Jon did not offer a text book approach that requires expensive gauges, valves, regulators, and commercial grade tanks of bottled gas; the expense of which would have made this project cost prohibitive for me. Only a single needle valve was required, which Jon generously donated.

I owe my dye laser experience to Jon Singer as well (along with Milan Karakas). Jon has a series of web pages that are dedicated to his ongoing research. His work is unique, in that he brings the world of science to a level that the average person can grasp. Jon documents the step by step construction of his laser projects, so that others may duplicate his work if desired. Were it not for Jon's excellent work, the laser devices that he outlines in detail would remain largely inaccessible to the amateur due to the complex theory involved. An overview of Jon's web pages can be found here:

http://www.jossresearch.org/

...and his ongoing laser/HV research (which includes most of his DIY projects with amateur construction in mind) can be found here:

http://www.jossresearch.org/tjiirrs/

Another brilliant researcher is Milan Karakas, who is the only person I know who successfully grew his own frequency doubling crystal from scratch! His site is here ...

http://www.milankarakas.org/

Update: Thursday, July 29th: I just obtained a significant improvement in performance , by using a new device that a friend suggested that I build and test. The device is simply a pair of glass jars, which compensate for the turbulence and irregularities that exists in the gas discharge. Such an effect is undesirable, and is caused by interference between the pump frequency, electrical input frequency, and rising temperature caused by the electrical discharge. Here is a diagram Douglas Little made for me, followed by his explanation of my problem, and the solution that he so cleverly devised (so be sure to read the description below this diagram):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12049698@N02/4841030718/

Coming soon (I hope): my plans for a cheap and easy DIY CO2 laser that might make a fun project for anyone wanting to experience the satisfaction of building a powerful laser completely from scratch. No special gasses - pure exhaled breath works! This is something that most books and websites don't bother mentioning. Sure - it's not going to perform as well as a real mix, but the addition of some balloon helium will significantly improve the performance using nothing more than exhaled carbon dioxide (which still has enough nitrogen in it to eliminate the absolute necessity for a seperate tank of nitrogen). Anyway - more to come soon if the Lord Jesus is willing.

Update: I'm working on a new webpage for this laser. It is under construction, so be sure and check back regularly -

http://jarrodkinsey.org/co2laser/co2laser.html

Disclaimer: This device is not a toy. It is many thousands of times more powerful that a hand held laser. The beam is totally invisible to normal cameras. This laser beam can permanently maim, disfigure, or disable an individual. Safety glasses must be worn at all times! The electrical power supply can kill instantly, and is more dangerous than a loaded gun. I disclaim any responsibility associated with the construction or use of such a device, and with the content of my videos. Do your own research!

Category:

Science & Technology

[darknessofkrish]

The reason I love youtube, great vid and lots of extra info and resource, mostly by you as well :D

Also, aritmas's comment xD

[magx1]

@darknessofkrish

Thanks! 

[gizmo664100]

make a how to please.

[magx1]

@gizmo664100 Visit my website. jarrodkinseydotorg. However, It is under construction (and incomplete). Google results for Sam's Laser Faq. You will find info on many homemade laser types, including this type.

[meggieiscute4444]

why dont you use a sugar yeast mixure to produce co2 im in to aquariums and we use this trick all the time the amount you can obtain over the cource of a couple of days is quite large

[magx1]

@meggieiscute4444

I've thought about this. However, I don't need this much. I normally use baking soda and vinegar. It produces a fast reaction, and provides just enough each time I want to use the laser.

[iownurface2]

is this legal?

[0wetduck0]

Can you pop enough popcorn to fill an entire house with that?

[Ibringthetruth1]

Safety glasses?

[Papptherapper]

@aritmas no the futer of laser are masers that use chemical relations

[chilidress]

a laser full of pure co2 will work? nicely?

[gizmo664100]

@magx1 thx