Hello folks,
I bought a higher quality 405 pen, so I decided to take the $4 one I had sitting around and try to dip my toes into opening up lasers and checking out what makes them all works! :) The pictures will be a little large, that way you can clearly see what I was aiming to show. Description of the pictures will be above the image. I hope you enjoy :beer:
I first started by showing you guys the laser, it's your typical $5 ebay pointer. Comes in 532/650/635 colors as well. Nothing fancy:
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The back of the laser. Has "Laser Pointer" marking on it. 2xAAA's batteries go in here:
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Front of the laser:
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Inside the module part of the laser,
is the well....module.
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The label on my pointer. Note, my unit peaked at 35mW's well above the listed output, which is typical of these lasers. Please be careful around these!
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Label off, we can now see the sticky residue, and the top cap which can be taken off to reveal the optics! I have to note these top caps are PITA to take off. Much sweat was needed :eek:
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Removing the top cap, which reveal the focusing lens which helps bring the divergent dot to a more recognizable pointer size :D
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From there, you can simply unscrew the magnifying lens. This will leave you with a highly oval, divergent laser pointer. Also, including is the spring which holds the lens in place :)
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Final Result: You now have access to the diode, probably a Sony 405 I would assume. Laser now acts more like a flashlight then a dot. Perfect for a violet ambiance ;)
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Thanks all for looking! I'm sure most hobbyist know what goes into a laser, but I decided to try and bring new interesting material as we are lacking new, affordable wavelengths currently. See you around LPF.
-Alex :)
I bought a higher quality 405 pen, so I decided to take the $4 one I had sitting around and try to dip my toes into opening up lasers and checking out what makes them all works! :) The pictures will be a little large, that way you can clearly see what I was aiming to show. Description of the pictures will be above the image. I hope you enjoy :beer:
I first started by showing you guys the laser, it's your typical $5 ebay pointer. Comes in 532/650/635 colors as well. Nothing fancy:
The back of the laser. Has "Laser Pointer" marking on it. 2xAAA's batteries go in here:
Front of the laser:
Inside the module part of the laser,
is the well....module.
The label on my pointer. Note, my unit peaked at 35mW's well above the listed output, which is typical of these lasers. Please be careful around these!
Label off, we can now see the sticky residue, and the top cap which can be taken off to reveal the optics! I have to note these top caps are PITA to take off. Much sweat was needed :eek:
Removing the top cap, which reveal the focusing lens which helps bring the divergent dot to a more recognizable pointer size :D
From there, you can simply unscrew the magnifying lens. This will leave you with a highly oval, divergent laser pointer. Also, including is the spring which holds the lens in place :)
Final Result: You now have access to the diode, probably a Sony 405 I would assume. Laser now acts more like a flashlight then a dot. Perfect for a violet ambiance ;)
Thanks all for looking! I'm sure most hobbyist know what goes into a laser, but I decided to try and bring new interesting material as we are lacking new, affordable wavelengths currently. See you around LPF.
-Alex :)