[Laser] DPSS Laser weirdness

[John Pieniadz]

Sounds Like it overheated and is going away.. some of those units require cooling. jp

----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Hast
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 9:58 AM
To: FSO Comms
Subject: [Laser] DPSS Laser weirdness

Folks,
I have a DPSS green laser, it worked fine up until a few weeks ago, I noticed
after it was on for about 2-3 seconds the power would drop. It is a 30mw
laser, after the power drops it is only a 10mw laser. I checked the current
and it stays the same, so not sure if the laser diode is at fault or if it s the
freq conversion crystals. It does it regardless of temp. Indeed the cooler it
is the faster it appears to have the problem. Prior to this happening it worked
just fine for as long as I kept it on (usually at most 10 -15 seconds) I use it
for checking open paths inside construction on my job and the 30 mw power
would be visible even if there was not a direct path through the construction,
now at 10mw if there are any obstructions I can not always see the reflection.

I would like to try to repair it if possible.

FYI these things are quite useful when you are trying to fish wire through
construction, once I know I have a path, I start using fish wire and magnets
to get my fish to the other end of the path, once there I can pull my signal
wire. The magnets and the laser make it possible. The magnets are very
powerful (we use them in the tag removers in our EAS product) If I can see
a green glow at the other end of the path, I can fish the wire through, most
of the times I am fishing through columns or overheads. Allows me to avoid
breaking holes in the construction.

--  
Chuck Hast  -- KP4DJT --
To paraphrase my flight instructor;
"the only dumb question is the one you DID NOT ask resulting in my going
out and having to identify your bits and pieces in the midst of torn
and twisted metal."
_______________________________________________
Laser mailing list
Laser at mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/laser