Homebrew PCBs

The laser diodes don't start to lase until the current reaches a threshold value.  Even at the threshold the power output is significant in relation to eye damage. One need to be very careful working with UV lasers it only takes a fraction of a second to cause retina damage.  Even be carful of a reflected spot on paper.

The best suggestion I have seen so far is to use thermal fax paper to image the spot size and shape.  I will give that a try as soon as I find some paper.  My diode will burn through paper very easly at less than 100ma drive.

Craig

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Mathison" <andrewdavid.mathison@...> wrote:
>
>   Is it not possible to either reduce/control the power output to a safe level or to substitute a normal laser pointer just for setting up? (I am a total newbie with lasers, I am just trying to learn at the same time....!)
> Greetings from
> 
> Andy Mathison
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>