Most recently, the manufacture of a laser machine, even of low power, was fraught with certain difficulties. It was necessary to find a crystal, develop and assemble a circuit for its pumping, etc. It was almost impossible for a novice radio amateur. With the development of innovative technologies, it has become possible to obtain a beam in a home laboratory. Industry produces miniature devices capable of generating the desired radiation - this is the so-called laser diode. Sufficiently high output optical power and good operating parameters of the device allow it to be used in high-precision measuring devices in production, medicine or everyday life. These are well-known level gauges, pointers, cutters for DVDs, etc.
The appearance of this new element has made a real revolution in the design of electronic devices of varying degrees of complexity. Powerful laser diodes are capable of generating a beam with which it has become possible to perform operations on the eyes. He has already helped many millions of people regain their lost sight. Correction and restoration of the lenshas become a routine operation for many clinics. Such a beam is capable of doing all the necessary work to restore vision in a matter of seconds.
This laser diode is used in measuring instruments in production and at home. With it, you can quickly adjust the level during the construction of an object of any complexity. It is used when measuring engine speed in production, participates in the operation of control and protection circuits in the technological process.
Devices of this class of various capacities are produced on an industrial scale. You can purchase a laser diode with an optical power of 8 watts.
This is quite enough to assemble a small, portable device at home, which can serve, for example, as a level gauge.
Such a device is reliable in operation and allows you to generate a beam of great length. Of course, it is necessary to take into account the safety requirements when working with such devices. It is especially dangerous to get the beam into the eyes. At close range, such a beam can damage soft tissues.
Of course, when assembling a homemade device, you must take into account the scheme by which the laser diode will be connected to the power source. The fact is that these devices cannot simply be connected to the battery, the following features must be taken into account:
- When mounting and dismounting, avoid static electricity, it may damage the laser diode.
- Not allowed whenon / off the appearance of short-term surges in voltage.
- Just like an ordinary LED, the fixture must operate at its rated current, exceeding it will greatly reduce the operating time.
Given all of the above, it is quite possible to design a circuit (or find a ready-made one) that can ensure stable and long-term operation of such a device. You can get a beam with which you can organize an interesting show or assemble a motion sensor.
