nanometers (was: AW: Uranus phaser)

[KA4HJH]

> >> So these
> >> very bright orange/red diodes should be sufficient, they are much
> >> brighter then any green led I've ever seen, indeed one should not
> >> directly look into the light source, danger of eye damage !
>
> HJ> Is this really true? I think that even if there would be danger
> HJ> when you look at it with an optical device (telescope ...),
> HJ> it would have to be labelled so. (At least in Germany)
> HJ> Just wondering.
>
>Eh... I can understand that my 35 mW laserdiode might hurt my eyes
>since the light is in phase and all that, but a 35 mW LED? No...
>In that case would a glimp at the clock in the morning be disasterous.
>
>I think it is a matter of confusing laser diodes and normal diodes.

I'll say (although there are some REALLY bright LED's that might leave you
seeing spots for a while).

I think we can agree that a 35mW laser diode is definitely a hazard to
vision ( we can also assume that it's infrared, which is even more
dangerous because you can't tell when it's on).

I personally wouldn't stare directly into a 2mW laser. Definitely be seeing
spots for a while. I do have a .2mW green HeNe laser that's so weak you can
actually stare into it with no ill effect, but most visible lasers are
significantly higher in output and infrared lasers even higher.

Lasers aren't toys, but they are a lot of fun to play with. Besides, they
look good next to analog equipment, old 'scopes, etc. Can't get enough of
that mad scientist look.
Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"