RGV build start. Need help with 532nm selection

[logsquared]

Hello. Its been a while since i have been around this board. I am starting a RGV projector. I figured i would post pics as it progresses. I actually was inspired to build the laser because i had a 30mw 532nm i have had for about 9 years. It was a good little laser with nice beam specs. I think i paid about $750 in 2000. Anyway, i ordered the violets and red diodes as well as the 405nm pbs and dicros. When everything arrived i tested the diodes all worked except my old greeny. Poor fella was only putting out 3-4mW. So, i bought a cheap ($65) 50mW green from aixiz. The laser actually did 50mW even after i added the ir filter from the dead laser. The divergence was a lot larger than i hoped but the beam was small (~1mm) at the laser. I figured i could make it work. After machining most of the mounts i decided to fire the thing up. wow, i was impressed by the how white the beam was. I figured with out real blue it wouldn't look as white as it did. Beam powers after optics (no galvo yet) were about350mw 405nm, 250mw 658, and 40-50mW 532.

Problem is the green from aixiz will not modulate via analog. When the current is ramped down around 40mW the beam starts to get about twice as wide in one direction until it splits into two beams around 30mW. below that it does really cool lumina type effects. not really cool for what i am trying to do i guess. I have modulated laser pointers with much better luck.

Can anyone suggest a 50-100mW free running (no tec) or good analog modulated green that they have used with good results? would like to keep the price below $200.

[Mr.Coffee]

For under $200 you have quite a few options when it comes to that much green. I know lasever has a 150mw for something like $180. That's before shipping, but they might have lower power lasers as well. If you shop around you should be in good shape for that much money.

[bridge]

there are many ruputation man here maybe can help you.
Rob(Stanwax), if you in Europe.
Marc(Gottauvlaser), if you in American
David(Dave), if you near Australia
Best regards!
Bridge

[sugeek]

I have seen others with the aixiz module use a flexmod (red/IR) driver for analog modulation, $35 for a driver and an extra $10 for a lasorb. Then you can keep using that little guy, and save up for bigger lasers in your next projector.

reference to picture http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...?t=8834&page=2

[allthatwhichis]

I would go with the Flexmod idea; cheaper so you can use your money on a controller or something.

[Mr.Coffee]

I agree with Allthat, if you're trying to keep with this on the cheap, you can stick with diodes, and use a flexmod (I haven't used one, but I've heard nothing but good things about them).

If you do decide to get a DPSS, Bridge (laserwave) up there makes damn good dpss, and both he and his distributors (listed in his post), will point you in the right direction. Discounts (Sometimes very, very deep), aren't unheard of, either. I try to buy Laserwave whenever I can.

[logsquared]

thanks for the input. I have the flexmod driver. it works great. i was actually going to build my own drivers. but the flexmod2 is so cheap and tiny it is well worth the money for the time i would save. not to mention the cost of components. the problem is the aixiz laser doesn't analoge modulate well. the beam actually moves of center when modulated at certain levels. thereby moving the beam out of the rgv mix. I have thought about buying a bigger ~400mw green and lower the output in software for graphics and have the extra power for beams. however the case i have chosen is fairly small. plus, the idea was to build something cheaper. hmm. decisions, decisions.

[logsquared]

have more machining work done on the enclosure. thought i would post a few. some may be interested in the case extrusion. real nice design for compact projectors. notice the lip where the halves meet. is 4.5 X 4.5 with 1/8 inch wall. very hard for light to escape. made of 6061 also. still trying to decide what green to get. it has to fit on the smaller isolated heat sink. also, looking for a +/- 24v 3amp supply that will fit in the open end(8.5 w 4.25 inches). any suggestions?

thanks.

[logsquared]

got the components and galvos mounted on the deck. getting real excited to fire it up. hooked it up to the computer and played a test patern to get things lined up. crap wheres my 405nm? looks like the eyemagic scanners don't do UV. what a bummer. looks like i need a better green, power supply and some new mirrors. I remmember reading about scanners not passing 405 somewhere on this board. have to find that post before i go to sleep.

[dave]

got the components and galvos mounted on the deck. getting real excited to fire it up. hooked it up to the computer and played a test patern to get things lined up. crap wheres my 405nm? looks like the eyemagic scanners don't do UV. what a bummer. looks like i need a better green, power supply and some new mirrors. I remmember reading about scanners not passing 405 somewhere on this board. have to find that post before i go to sleep.

The mirrors on the EMS scanners are made in the UK. Specs here:

http://www.eyemagic.gr/downloads/99_..._400-700nm.pdf