Vintage Laser Display

[Eidetic]

Here's a display I recently found that has a Spectra-Physics model 155 He-Ne laser in an acrylic housing. It was made by the Holex Corporation, probably around 1976 I'd think. They were very early producers of pictorial holograms. I have one of them of a watch. The laser's giving out most of its whopping 0.5mW specified for the laser back then, but it gets pretty hot inside that closed tube!

The seller didn't pack it well, so both vertical legs broke at the top and the front support also broke in half. the switch was also broken off. I repaired the acrylic pieces and replaced the switch, and you can't tell it was broken. Don't know what the scuff marks are from except just age. Yeah, me too! Anyway, a neat piece of laser/holography ephemera I couldn't pass by.

By the way, a bit of smoke was needed to get the beam shot ... you know, for old times' sake!

[Xytrell]

Neat!

Say, while we're here, can someone explain to me why it only excites half the bore?

[Laserman532]

Neat!

Say, while we're here, can someone explain to me why it only excites half the bore?

because that is where the anode wire ends, if it ended further away that is where it would end. Those lasers came into many different power levels and this was one way of making them certain powers.

Those lasers were the first lasers I worked on as a entry level tech in 1978.

[Displaser]

Matching Holex lumia projector.

Circa January 1978 - Edmund Scientific Catalog #782, page 161



Greg

[Mattatya]

It's funny that it was hugely described in the ad but then at the end it say laser not included lol. At least back then it wasn't small print. Cool find though, I wonder how many of them are still around.

[Eidetic]

Wow! Thanks for the reference to that projector!!! The hunt is on.

[jaycey]

Dont suppose you have any black balloons for you know....





Nice little display.

[Stoney3K]

Can you make a photo with a ruler / quarter / CD alongside it? That tube looks like it's seriously TINY.

[Eidetic]

That tile on the kitchen counter is 10" wide. The bore of the plasma tube is 10.5" long.