pre-orders/interest for high quality module kits

[aijii]

Exactly! Except you would knife edge two pairs and then sum them with PBS

What is the size of the beam and divergences after the initial collimator but before the cylindrical lenses ?

[radam4177]

Dr.Lava. please put me down for 2 singles and one dual

[Lasermad]

Dr

Been 14 daysand no updates at all ?

PAUL

[LaserLover]

With the abundance of diodes floating around here, just waiting to find good homes, it's about time to start up a module kit preorder thread for a nice solution to getting them into your projectors and functioning optimally.
As you guys know, I've been working with these diodes since they cost $475 on ebay, buying optics and looking for an optical solution to get good beam properties. After going through and testing about a dozen lens combinations and contacting many manufacturers, I believe the problem is solved.

Right now, we're looking at an approximately 2.5" x 5.5" footprint that will be able to produce a beam approximately 4mmx2mm with under 1x1.5mrad divergence, probably under 1mrad on both axes. This apparently will handily beat even allthatwhichis's KVANT 445 on beam properties. The great thing about this setup is that it will probably be able to be used for divergent red diodes as well. Each module will house 1 diode, analog linear modulation driver (the new FlexMod P3 when it arrives),lasorb, and a TEC system.

The issue is, it costs money to get all the parts purchased in a quantity sufficient for a good rate, so it's time to pool our resources via pre-orders to make this happen. The price will be as low as possible.. the more orders the lower it can be. MisterWilling has agreed to do the machining and chad will be a mech consultant as well.

So right now, given that the price will be as good as possible given the parts price for everyone who joins, who's interested??? I'll be able to get more specifics once we know how many people are interested. If you are interested, but wary of the price, just say I'm in for n units if the cost is x between x and y.

I'm interested in one kit but again depends on the price. Please advise on cost once you have tallied up enough buyers.

[mccarrot]

Hi Drlava,

Do you already know the losses on this setup, and have pictures and specifications of the shaped beam?

A good prism pair solution gives aprox 7% loss in the total beam path.

The reason I'm asking is because all 455nm manufacterers like Kvant, RGB lasersystems, Swislass, they all use prismpairs to shape the beam.

If "your" solution is better why does none of the other companies use this method?

Also swisslass mentioned in a other topic they did tested with cylindrical lenses, while the losses where less with the cylindrical lenses, the beams where nicer when using a prism pair.

[Grix]

Have anyone seen this? A pre-aligned prism pair on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Anamorphic-Laser...-/330445601925

[mccarrot]

Have anyone seen this? A pre-aligned prism pair on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Anamorphic-Laser...-/330445601925

A bit offtopic, but I think these are SF11 material with a 808nm AR coating, so expect more than 20% loss, but they are cheap.

For 445nm you need BK7 Material and 445nm AR coating. then the loss will be well below 10%

Keep an eye on the prism pair group buy topic for the good prisms

[drlava]

is there an artist rendition or something similar?

Hi, there will be soon, but

I'll wait until someone else figures out the lenses, then copy it

*sarcasm* I want to make sure the rendition is accurate for you first!

Just to let everyone know, it's shaping up to be a very nice compact module.

Hi Drlava,
Do you already know the losses on this setup, and have pictures and specifications of the shaped beam?
A good prism pair solution gives aprox 7% loss in the total beam path.
The reason I'm asking is because all 455nm manufacterers like Kvant, RGB lasersystems, Swislass, they all use prismpairs to shape the beam.
If "your" solution is better why does none of the other companies use this method?
Also swisslass mentioned in a other topic they did tested with cylindrical lenses, while the losses where less with the cylindrical lenses, the beams where nicer when using a prism pair.
.
.
.
.
Keep an eye on the prism pair group buy topic for the good prisms

Hello Senor Carrot, I noticed you are going to run a group buy on prisms, so this 'question' isn't too surprising. If you look at allthat's beam profile, you'll see they aren't using correction optics at all - not cyl lenses, not even a prism pair, so I'd say 'all manufacturers' do not exclusively use prisms. You wonder why the manufacturers aren't using cyl lenses, let me inform you first of all they have been using the 500mW diodes which have better beam specs so a prism pair is adequate. Secondly, a pre-formed prism pair is easier to align so it is a good fit for manufacturing. However with cyl lenses the losses are slightly better than with a prism pair, mostly due to the fact that the glass is thinner than on a prism pair. The cyl lenses do offer a better beam when they are properly aligned. From the LaserFreak thread, the prisms are giving them a 3.5x3.5mm beam, but that's with only 1 diode! With these kits it will be possible to get a beam with those dimensions but with two diodes knife-edged. Plus, the beam will be <1mrad.

Hope that helps, it's time to start amassing a buy list! I'll post renderings and a payment page soon.

[mrblack927]

Great to hear drlava! Keep up the good work!

[mccarrot]

Hello Senor Carrot, I noticed you are going to run a group buy on prisms, so this 'question' isn't too surprising. If you look at allthat's beam profile, you'll see they aren't using correction optics at all - not cyl lenses, not even a prism pair, so I'd say 'all manufacturers' do not exclusively use prisms. You wonder why the manufacturers aren't using cyl lenses, let me inform you first of all they have been using the 500mW diodes which have better beam specs so a prism pair is adequate. Secondly, a pre-formed prism pair is easier to align so it is a good fit for manufacturing. However with cyl lenses the losses are slightly better than with a prism pair, mostly due to the fact that the glass is thinner than on a prism pair. The cyl lenses do offer a better beam when they are properly aligned. From the LaserFreak thread, the prisms are giving them a 3.5x3.5mm beam, but that's with only 1 diode! With these kits it will be possible to get a beam with those dimensions but with two diodes knife-edged. Plus, the beam will be <1mrad.

Hope that helps, it's time to start amassing a buy list! I'll post renderings and a payment page soon.

Let me be clear, if your solution IS the best solution I will go for your solution and I may drop the groupbuy. I'm just looking for the best solution.

Swisslassdid tests and got beter results with prisms
My own test with a prism pair was very promising.

Multiple people told me the cylindrical lenses solution is better but I have not seen a working set up to this time.

When do you have a working setup, so we can just compare both solution and go ahead with the best solution.

peace.