Beatlemania He-Ne
Today's laser porn is a Spectra-Physics model 112 He-Ne head, from around the time of Beatlemania, 1964. It was bought surplus by an inventor here in Mesa a very long time ago, and stored in his shed ever since. When I got it, the shiny metal parts were all covered with a green corrosion but that cleaned off easily after a soak in a baking soda paste and scrubbing with bronze wool.
This is Spectra's first model after their deal with Perkin-Elmer ended with the sale of their 75th laser in mid-'63. It has a bid diameter bore that's RF excited, big Brewster windows on the ends, adjustable cavity length (god knows why!), and an elaborate torsion wire fine adjustment mechanism Rube Goldberg would love. It's missing the rear panel, both rubber boots to seal the cavity, and the mirrors, but it looks really good. I guess one "had to be there". This is a real score for the collection. AND, the guy hand delivered it!
I love seeing the development of features we all take for granted in the lasers we all use. The creative adjustment mechanisms, resonator structures, and '60s industrial design. Can't wait to spread them all out with supporting graphics and documentation mixed in.
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