Got Red?

[steve-o]

Thank you Dr. That explains a lot. I need a course in optics I suppose..

[The_Doctor]

I never got one... just poking around in the pictures associated with the LaserFAQ counts for a lot though. Actually, if you haven't got one, blagging a large paper optics catalog is a good way to get reference. Newport's is good, as is an east European firm whose name I forgot (Probably Linos). Google isn't always best. It might be out there but it's not all neatly done in one place. I'm not sure if these firms still give paper catalogs for free, but it's worth a go.

[p1t8ull]

OK, I'm really pushing for samples of the Mitsubishi 640 150mw, and I may get a couple. Anybody else interested?
Also: does anyone know how to collimate a 7/40 degree divergence LD? I saw a pic somewhere of a TO-3 type diode with 2 triangular looking optics in front of it circularizing the beam perfectly.

Hmmm... go steady with those diodes steve-o. I have a couple and plugged one in for a very quick test the other night.

They are nice and bright but someone has already mentioned the "line" that's produced in another thread... Seriously - the divergence needs to be seen to be believed!

Using a collimating lens (that produces a tight, oval .7mrad divergent beam with an Opnext HL6545MG diode) the "spot" with a Mitsi diode at 20m was (very roughly) 20mm by a few metres!

I'm no beam shaping expert but these things definitely need more investigation before they can be deemed suitable for use in a projector - unless your happy with just flat sheets/straight line graphics

[steve-o]

P1t- where did you get your diode? Directly from Mitsu or?...
How much was it? I'd love to get one to play with..

Doctor- Is there a formula to calculate the lenses' optical properties or focal lengths(?) to collimate a 7/40 vs ,say, a 9/17 slow axis/ fast axis diode?

[p1t8ull]

P1t- where did you get your diode? Directly from Mitsu or?...
How much was it? I'd love to get one to play with..

Mine came from Glyn in Germany, and came in at £370.71 for 2 including VAT and shipping, so upwards of $370 each

I'm really keen to play with them, I'm sure something can be done to get the beam into a respectable form but I don't think it will ever be the right profile to combine a dozen of them

[steve-o]

Is it the Mitsubishi p/n ML520G51-01 that you have?

[p1t8ull]

Yup, thats the baby

[James Lehman]

Adam

PS: I *told* you this was doable...

Outstanding information!

Thanks!

James.

[Alsone]

Apologies if this question is totally newb, but why doesn't anyone just buy a CNI RGB laser module with all 3 colours built into 1 module?

http://www.cnilaser.com/RGB%20laser.htm

With a power range of 1-1000mw surely this would be the easiest solution and allow any build to use a very small case?

[stanwax]

have you priced one?
They are expensive and anyway wheres the fun if you dont build your own?

Rob