Laser Lips:
I disagree with the age limit. I had my first 10mw HeNe when I was 14 shortly after volunteering at a planetarium.
E-gads, that was 21 years ago (Get off my lawn!). Light Amplification of Stimulated Emission of Radiation has had a profound impact on my career path(s). As well as a couple of my my friends. One of my best friends has been working at Coherent for 12 years.
The problem is, like in most everything, is stupid people. I place a huge amount of blame on the likes of Wicked Lasers et al. The glorification and weaponization of high power pointers.
From Wicked's site
"Laser Range > 15 miles
Make holes in black trash bags
Open-cut healing power*
Daytime smoke detection
Stings bare skin
Burn dark fabrics
Laser Range > 50 miles
Pop dark colored balloons
Ignite wooden or paper matches
Cut black electrical tape
Etch dark plastics and leathers
Light fireworks
Melt rubber and plastics
Laser Range > 100 miles
Waterproof
Tesla Technology
Light cigars and cigarettes
"
It is no longer a scientific instrument it is a mini death ray LaZeR (sharks not included).
Ask 99% of the " OMG teH laZer cAns pOp baLooNz an liGht maTcheZ !!1!eleventy" knuckle dragers what LASER means.
When I got my first, couple of watt, air cooled ion I did burn some stuff light cigarettes do all of the usual crap but that lasted about an hour. Then it was time to get out the prisms, galvos, cook up some exar 8038 boards.
Chad
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.