Chinese Govt to block rare mineral exports

[greenalien]

...including the stuff used for making lasers...

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/43750/135/

[sugeek]

...including the stuff used for making lasers...

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/43750/135/

I guess it may be time for me to go back to school for a Geology degree. I now live by some LARGE mines, but the rare-earth minerals are just gathered from the *waste* from the copper refining process.

-Adam

[MechEng3]

I don't think we have anything to be concerned over. Most of the crystals used in DPSS units are hydrothermally grown from a seed crystal. Then they are marked and cut for the application according to the orientation needed. Then they are off to get specific wavelength coatings. There are a few industrial sites Stateside that can make the crystals and optics.....but at a higher cost. China does bulk.....we used to.

[White-Light]

As most of the laser modules we get are made in China, I don't see it affecting this hobby too much. The people more affected will be those who manufacture specialist cutting or medical lasers or military lasers in plants in Europe or the US.

[mixedgas]

As most of the laser modules we get are made in China, I don't see it affecting this hobby too much. The people more affected will be those who manufacture specialist cutting or medical lasers or military lasers in plants in Europe or the US.

Where we will get clobbered is leds and metal halide lighting and polymers that emit light, as well as some medical treatments (Gadolinium etc) Some optical coatings guys might sweat it for a while. A few specialty steels used in aeroplane engines.

But not for long, Russia and Africa and perhaps USA will pick up the slack.
My bet is 1-2 years for the market to pick back up even if they did this.

For Nd: United States, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Australia

Fot Ti for KTP, Ukrane, Brazil, USA

If it were platinum I'd sweat it.

Almost all of these metals come from other places.

Besides, metals from china will arrive in this country marked " Power Supply".
excuse the attempt at humor.

Steve

[The_Doctor]

I doubt we need to worry much. I think a lot of crystals and glasses for lasers and nonlinear optics as well as fine optics generally are made in Eastern Europe. To the point where I think even Casix were importing finished crystals from there to China. Not sure exactly what I read once, but it was along those lines.. If it's true, the desire for these countries to be part of the EU means that it would take a LOT to induce them to restrict trade, as trade with Western Europe and the US is exactly what they want to do (maybe not the US, not sure how far they want to reach, but it seems likely, for those who don't want to ally with Russia).


Edit:
Power supply... Or 'Light parts'... valued at 30 bucks and sent as a 'gift'.

[FourDee]

'Disco light parts'