Novalux Protera 488nm solid state laser

[GooeyGus]

Anyone have one??

Mine should be here tomorrow. I'm just curious to see if anyone has one or has worked with one, and what they thought of the laser.

Thanks!!!

EDIT: Pictures will be added to this thread tomorrow

[shrad]

I have a project of building my own 488nm solid state direct doubled laser, so that would be interesting to see some beam shots, and perhaps also internals shots

what is the output power of this laser? I have a KNBO3 with appropriate coatings, diode and OC (and correction optics for the diode), but I cannot figure what would be the maximum admissible pump power for this cristal

[GooeyGus]

these are done a bit differently. Whereas you will be doubling outside the cavity (need a ton of pump), these novalux lasers actually have the doubling crystal inside the cavity.

Also, it uses a VCSEL diode, so there is no need for a ton of beam correction optics, as the beam coming out is already high quality.

I will definitely post pictures!!! output is rated at 15mW. but I've heard of people getting as much as 30mW from a 15mW unit

[shrad]

I could also get a 500mW VCSEL of 976nm gooood news

[GooeyGus]

well, no pictures today. This unit is going back. I got the head out of the bag it was in, and there is something very large clunking around inside. I haven't even tried to power it up, because I know there is something not right going on. I've contacted the seller and I'll let you know how it goes. These were guranteed to work, 30 day right of return, so we'll see.

[142laser]

This laser should be great! They are SLM and will work even for holography. Is it a 20 mW model? Cool. Good luck.

[GooeyGus]

Hey Phil, do you have any info on how to hook these things up? I have like three different components but I think I only need to use like one or two to drive it....

[142laser]

Hi,
I have never had one; I have the competion's laser a Coherent Sapphire. I have heard good things about the Protara. Did you buy this from supertechshop on e bay? They have two for sale. They are a rip off and you will be lucky to get your money back if it from them. Watch them blame you for breaking the laser...good luck. Phil 142laaer

[Laser Ben]

We just got one from SVCompucycle yesterday. We got a 15mW model, it didn't work, and it came with 3 different power supplies. It gives an error when powered up.

[GooeyGus]

I think you're just supposed to use the black psu with the switch for the tec. I tried to use the one with the key as well, but I think it requires a connection to a computer with the novalux software for it to work and not give an error code.

It did come from those guys, they have agreed to send me a new head.