Can glass or crystal focus light and emit it out one end?
I would like to create a homemade light lazer and utilize various colors.Is there a special crystal or specialty cut glass that can focus the light and emit it out one end,so that it can be directed at another target?
BlindPoet
on November 30th, -0001
A laser only works with a single frequencies of light at a time. This is because the beam must remain coherent and multiple frequencies cause interference which forces the beam to spread and lose intensity. He-Ne lasers produce a nice red. Argon gives you green. The easiest type of laser to make at home though would be a carbon dioxide laser. The best part is, if made properly, this laser can cut through stuff. You need several mirrors of high reflectivities (I believe 2 or 3 at 99.9%). Making any other solid state (LED) or gas lasers would be pretty hard if you’re not a skilled craftsman. There’s also pulse lasers but I highly doubt you’d be able to even get the materials for that one without being arrested. So in conclusion CO2 laser is your best bet. You should look up schematics for that. No crystals are needed.
ps. don’t forget to find the Brewster angle.
Wildthing
on November 30th, -0001
yes or maybe… no. i don’t no
DarkDesire
on November 30th, -0001
Yes there is and you would be best off buying one that is already set up.
JetSki
on November 30th, -0001
It’d likely be cheaper to buy a laser pointer. Anything else would require special lenses, light sources, mirrors and cooling systems.
But I guess that depends on what you want to do with it.
Eli
on November 30th, -0001
Yes, you must have heard about fiber optics. Learn more at:
http://www.howstuffworks.com
’nuff said?
Nice answer Nikki22…. very thought provoking!
BloodFlower
on November 30th, -0001
So far reflectors and lenses are all I can think of. but try emailing someone over at Cal Tech. they would have better answers than I can think of for sure.
Hippie
on November 30th, -0001
This might lead to a dilithium crystal engine.