Slow scanning with big beam

[blown350]

How would I project a large beam (532 40 Watt .500" DIAM ) like they do with the really big carbon lights you see at grand openings. I want to send one beam almost straight up (75-80 degrees) and rotate it around in a circle? Is there an easy way of doing this mechanically or would I be better off just getting some large scanning galvos. Thanks Sean

[blown350]

some pictures of the laser I want scan

[Laserman532]

what is your level of expertise with this type of laser? What is your level of expertise with any class 4 laser? Are you talking about indoor or outdoor?

[blown350]

Outdoor definitely, I just want to be able to take the thing out to the country and see how far away it could be seen. As for experience I am fairly new to the higher power lasers +5 watts I have been messing with the lower ones for years, mainly dpss green.

[Laserman532]

does anybody else want to take this one?

[platinum]

Well, two things:

One: Where are you? In the US, it's typically illegal to shoot lasers off in the sky unless you have a variance from the CDRH and clearance from the FAA.

There is a little gray area when it involves personal use with no event taking place. In these situations, the FAA requests that you inform them of your intent so they know where it's going to be although I doubt they will be the least bit happy that you plan on shooting 40 watts into the sky.


Two: Don't do it without proper clearance. Your liability is through the roof otherwise. If you hit a Cessna 50 miles away, you could get in BIG trouble.

-Jonathan

[blown350]

It kind of makes seance when you think about it, that beam goes forever on a clear night. Heck all of that is waaaayyyy tooo much to deal with when all I want to do is send beams thru the air. I guess I will have to stick with ground stuff, and watch where the bean goes.

[platinum]

Sorry I dropped an acronym there... The CDRH is the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, a division of the FDA. (Food and Drug Administration).

The CDRH is in charge of overseeing use of lasers and other devices in the entertainment industry and other areas like mammography and opthamological applications among other areas.

-Jonathan

[platinum]

Check out Sam's Laser FAQ when you get a chance. It's a great resource for all levels of laser interest:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm

Also consider checking out a Laser Enthusiast Meeting if you can find one you can make it to. You'd easily get a lot of advice on your laser and see and learn about a lot of cool laser stuff.

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...splay.php?f=26

-Jonathan

[mixedgas]

It kind of makes seance when you think about it, that beam goes forever on a clear night. Heck all of that is waaaayyyy tooo much to deal with when all I want to do is send beams thru the air. I guess I will have to stick with ground stuff, and watch where the bean goes.

FAA would just love to nail one more laser user, so they can go to congress and ask for lasers to be banned and possession licensed.

In fact, if a pilot sees your beams on the ground, terminated, he's required to report you, and they do... Any you have enough power to be seen.

I helped a friend with a varianced and notamed show near Sky Harbor in Phoenix, the tower got plenty of calls at 1-2 watts in downtown Phoenix.

In fact, one user here has to ask US Space Command for permission when he powers up. In Theory you have 1/4 to 1/3rd the power he does, if that laser was perfect.

May I suggest getting goggles with OD8 for 532 and OD6 for 1064 and heavy leather welder's gloves, put the fiber back on it, and practice pushing the fiber end through 2x4s for amusement?

Also does a nice job blowing holes in plasterboard.

Up close, with no goggles, even the scattering from a wall is a hazard. Your NODH, nominal ocular hazard distance, from scattering off a wall, is several YARDS at full power. Your NOHD for beams is on the order of 7 miles or more.

So please be careful with that unit.