Old Kwant Laser

[Eidetic]

Here's one that has me scratching my head. I got this wonderful old He-Ne laser from forum member Piotr K. in Poland who told me it was made in Czechoslovakia. I've not been able to find any information about it of the company, and thought I'd take a shot and put it out here. I understand the Kvant company started in 1995. I wonder if there's any connection between the two companies.

I have a difficult time quesstimating the date of it. The big round Brewster windows suggest early '60s, but the cold aluminum cathode says after 1966. Absence of warning stickers says late '60s or early '70s if it was a US company but I have no way to know what that signifies for lasers from Europe. Look at that glasswork! Most of the glassblowers I've met in the laser industry are Czechoslovakian. This is a neat old laser head.

[swamidog]

those old lasers are such a fusion of magic, science, and art. it's no wonder you have a passion for collecting them.

Here's one that has me scratching my head. I got this wonderful old He-Ne laser from forum member Piotr K. in Poland who told me it was made in Czechoslovakia. I've not been able to find any information about it of the company, and thought I'd take a shot and put it out here. I understand the Kvant company started in 1995. I wonder if there's any connection between the two companies.

I have a difficult time quesstimating the date of it. The big round Brewster windows suggest early '60s, but the cold aluminum cathode says after 1966. Absence of warning stickers says late '60s or early '70s if it was a US company but I have no way to know what that signifies for lasers from Europe. Look at that glasswork! Most of the glassblowers I've met in the laser industry are Czechoslovakian. This is a neat old laser head.

[142laser]

Nice. It could be 1970's made with 1960's design uver there. Does it work? Phil

[White-Light]

I'm pretty sure the old KVANT Website said that KVANT was created from the merger of 2 companies. However, I don't know who these companies were and the new web site doesn't mention it.

I also pretty much hate the new web site, its gone from modern and exciting to dull and basic, from somewhere that made me want to buy lasers to somewhere that makes me want to navigate away ASAP.

Anyway I diverge, nice laser.