Tube glow from a 30mW Argon laser, is it safe to look at.

**Psi** · 12-01-2011, 02:23

Pretty much what the topic says.

Is the nice blue/purple glow from a running argon tube safe to look at? Or does it contain a dangerous amount of UV.

The tube looks so nice when it's running i want to add some transparent windows to the casing, but only if it's a safe thing to look at.

Thanks guys,

**danielbriggs** · 12-01-2011, 02:36

Lots of UV!
I wouldn't reccomend looking at it for any extended period of time.

Short term, ok. Long term, issues...

**Jem** · 12-01-2011, 02:46

A clear Plexiglass window will block the vast majority of UV.

http://www.rplastics.com/plexiglass-transmittance.html

Jem

**Psi** · 12-01-2011, 02:56

Originally Posted by Jem

A clear Plexiglass window will block the vast majority of UV.

http://www.rplastics.com/plexiglass-transmittance.html

Jem

Thanks, do you know if the same applies to transparent polycarbonate and acrylic sheets.
I have some sheets but i'm not sure what kind of plastic they are.

**Jem** · 12-01-2011, 03:19

Polycarbonate is probably a better UV block than standard acrylic. IIRC Polycarbonate blocks virtually all UV up to 400nm, but you'd better do your own checks just to be certain of this.

The only way to be really certain is to take a reading with a spectrometer.

Oh, and you can easily tell Acrylic and Polycarbonate apart... Put a nail on them and strike it with a hammer. If it shatters it's acrylic, if it just dents it's polycarbonate

Cheers

Jem

P.S. I've just done a Google search using 'UV transmittance of acrylic' (or polycarbonate) and that throws up loads of results

**Stoney3K** · 12-01-2011, 04:07

Be sure the acrylic (or Polycarbonate/Lexan) you use can handle the heat from the tube. Especially acrylic has a fairly low melting point, so it may turn soft because of the tube's heat production.

Nonetheless, I like the idea of a clear window on an argon tube casing. Gives you just the right steampunk feel.

**-bart-** · 12-01-2011, 04:43

Prolonged exposure to coherent and non-coherent laser-light can cause serious craving of obtaining more lasers with more power and more colours, with serious financial consequences.

An acrylic sheet will NOT counter this effect!

**Jem** · 12-01-2011, 05:59

Here's my latest paperweight with a nice acrylic cover

**Xytrell** · 12-01-2011, 09:31

What type of glass is used in the laser?

**steve-o** · 12-01-2011, 11:09

Cool paperweight Jem

Does it lase?

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Tube glow from a 30mW Argon laser, is it safe to look at.

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