Laser

japer

hello

this is a crazy question

Can a laser be multiplied with a prism or some other refractory?

Could one laser light Be split into 2 lights of the same intensity of one?

Cost would be the main concern.

japer

FlyingFishFinger

I don't know much about light, but I know that you could not split one beam into 2 with both having the same intensity as the original if that's what you mean. You would need some amplification or a second light source. And I think (remember, I'm no expert) that yes, it is probably possible to split one beam into two.
Rafael

japer

Yes That what i meant flyingfishfinger.
i added the intensity because it does ask a physcal question.
if light were a signal if would loose its intensity
is their an OpAmp for light?

btw.
the light does need to terminate. i forgot to add that to the post originally.
the ideal light signal would need to be appox. 460 mm apart and a termination up to 20 meters
japer

David B

There are devices that will multiply laser power. They are basically like a laser - they consist of some material that stores energy until the laser beam comes along, then its additional energy is released with the laser pulse. Google "Q-Switched Laser".

As for splitting, laser light is just light. Just like a flashlight beam, you can use partially silvered mirrors to transmit part of the beam and reflect part. But the power of each split beam will be a fraction of the original.

Back when I was in college, I worked on a project alongside a high-powered laser like what you're describing. A laser with a Q switch was focused to form as high an electric field as possible, where it interacted with some free electrons to measure their energy. Then to get rid of the used laser power, the laser beam was terminated onto a little aluminum disc. Whenever the experiment ran it made a loud CRACK like a firecracker going off as it vaporized a little part of the disc!

http://psfcwww2.psfc.mit.edu/library/98ja/98ja025/98ja025_full.pdf

David

japer

sounds powerful David B

yea the laser ?

What type of fall out will a IRLed be?
Could you get a good Reliable 50 Ft signal ?
This approch could work also.
japer

David B

What do you mean by fallout?

LEDs are not the same as lasers, although both may emit infrared light. Do you care what makes your signal? Either may work for what you seem to be describing.

Are you saying you want to send an infrared light signal over a distance of about 50 feet to a light detector, which will produce an electrical signal?

japer

Hello David B
yes I am looking to send a light signal over a distance.
Unfountuantely the IRLed light source emmision is to wide.
The Idea is to send a light signals, to a reciever.
Then modify the signal with a unqiue signal for each light source.
the good, the laser seems to be the best
the bad, it will take 2 laser.
The application is not practical as once thought,
it will demostate an interesting type of sensor however.
japer

David B

Check out this link- maybe you could use the laser out of an old CD player for your project.

http://www.cat.gov.in/others/lasinfo/d-cd.html

Note the cautions, though. Even a little CD laser can be hazardous to your eyesight.

japer

hello David B

Thanks for the link.
I am curious about some eye protection because of light reflection.

japer