An Introduction On How Argon Ion Lasers Work
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- Опубликовано: 29 апр 2020
- All music in the video is used with direct permission from the original artists, links are provided below. A special thanks to Adam at Laser Fusion on this project!
In this video I will be taking apart and cleaning an American Laser Corporation Argon Ion Laser and cleaning it. In addition to that I'll also be going over the various parts and explaining how they work. Adam explains his Lexel 95 Argon ion laser in detail as well. If you ever wondered how exactly an Argon ion laser worked this will be a great video for you to watch. A follow up video with more of the physics and a deeper look into some of the parts will be made in the future, if you have questions please ask in the comments so I can address them in more detail in the future video project.
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Excellent! Loved it! I keep trying to grab an Argon laser (had the chance to pick one up but the power supply needed a truck to move it). One day...
The PSU for the Lexel's PSU was a 2 man lift for sure, they are not light weight units at all.
Superb treatment of the subject as usual dude, love your work!
Great video as always. You got to love the cyan beam of these argon lasers.
Looking forward to A/K laser vid.
It's amazing how far laser technology has come with solid state. The modern day equivalent of this is about the size of a screw on that unit.
For real, it's bonkers what solid state can accomplish these days, just waiting on the holy grain of a direct yellow diode. It's like fusion energy always 5 years away lol
Trouble with some of those Brewster window lasers is that you would prepare the ends of the tube to a very high polish, place the windows then pump the tube down before applying epoxy around the edges. It does work well but eventually, you get leakage. That tube could probably be pumped down and refreshed. Back in the day when we used HeNe lasers, I was told that they also have a limited shelf life - even the ones with proper sealed windows. The reason, is that the helium 'burrows' through the glass walls - that's what I was told. I thought this a bit unlikely but there may be some truth in that. Years ago I would have done anything to get my hands on an argon or even krypton laser but the power requirements, water supply and the crazy cost was just too much. When you think what you can get out of a simple laser pointer these days. Great video.
Great video! When shocking your 60 X tube with the oudin coil, make sure to hit it only - inside - the air riser box on the anode side heatsink. do not zap it on the ends because you can puncture the glass stems and or go thru the seal on the stem and brewster resulting in an air leak. Also the voltage created by the zapper can fry your light detector circuit (the solar cell thingy).
Thanks! Yea, the glass tube can be easily pictured I have killed the seal on a few florescent lights that way messing around with stuff. We tried both the anode input and on the air riser for the most part, I think we did try a little on the glass end on the anode side a little just to check for local ionization in the gas. The tube was given to me with the warning that it's probably a dead tube so I wasn't going into it completely thinking of it being good. The solar cell/sensor looks fried as is and has a dark spot on it so I am planning on pulling the original and placing in a new one from a 473nm DPSS. I am trying to get another Argon ion laser so I can play around with it more. Gas lasers are a lot of fun.
I'd been thinking about making a laser but I think it'll probably be a while before I even get around to that
Great info , diagrams, footage, etc. Gas lasers are fun. If you get it working you should put it on some galvos :)
You will see a gas laser with galvos eventually on this channel, that's a promise.
Raising this thread from the dead because I have a question for you! I have a Melles Griot Argon Ion laser, 35-IMA-830-012 head paired with the 300-002 power supply. It works perfectly when cold (I.e. right when the power is applied, I turn the key to make it go through the things it does). After 30sec, the laser fires and starts lasing.
However, if the system is warmed up (I.e. key is turned to 0 position, then to 1 position), it doesn’t fire. After 30 secs you can hear the thing trying to fire repeatedly with very faint ‘tick … tick … tick’ to no avail. Sometimes in this state, it does successfully fire, but not lase. When it does that, the ticking stops, however no laser output. Looking into the chassis, it seems like the argon is ionizing through the gas return channels (I.e. ceramic bore between heat sinks has blue green light coming from it).
Do you know why this could be? In order for it to fire successfully, I’d have to wait a while for it to cool completely then try again.
Note, the laser head does have 11,038 hours logged on it, so it could be that lol
argon ion lasers are my favorite lasers
I can see why! I want to get mine running and own a few eventually. They are awesome. Argon Krypton is another ion laser type I want to get and do videos on on the future since they are white light!
Do a video on that Laserscope ! Awesome. Massive amounts of 532nm power potential. Interested to know the power supply used too drive the laser and your method of driving the Q switch, or did you manage to use the factory components. I bought the 120 watt version a year ago at a medical equipment auction for basically nothing but haven't spent much time with it. It appears to be completely networked and interlocked through a version of Can bus. Unit has a nice chiller and Vuemetrix diode driver that will require some hacking to operate.
There are a few types of Laserscopes at the shop along with a few pulled heads. Some are flash lamp some are fiber fed diode pumped. To my knowledge there isn't an operation q-switch on one that runs at the moment and the other is Can Bus locked. There have been those who have managed to hack the software but it's not something we've done yet. The units are not mine, but I am certain a video will eventually be made on some of the Laserscopes. There might be information on Photonlexicon or Sam's Laser faq, If we get a hold of the Can bus information it will most likely be in a video as well.
@@Zenodilodon I would be willing to pay for some of that info through a donation (Patreon?) sometime in the future. My unit is the diode pumped Can bus version. I'll probably just end up removing the optical deck out of the unit and drive the laser head with a high current Matsusada (0-10V, 0-150A) rack mount power supply that I have, and get the chiller working. The Q switch might be a challenge. Really appreciate the videos.
@@sylkelster I don't have a patreon, I do have paypal, not vital importance really. I can check with a few friends and see if I can track down some information. If you send over an e-mail ( Zenodilodon@gmail.com ) I can send you some contact information of those who may be able to help you with your laserscope more easily along with if you have FB/Discord links to large laser communities with other members. What kind of q-switch is in your unit. Here we have been discussing using a galvo with a shutter. Realistically the q-switch should be pretty easy with some napkin maths for duration/rep rate. Usually the hardware is relatively simple.
I'm in love with 488nm.
488nm is a fantastic wavelength, If you enjoy it check out the Melles Griot 488 DPSS video. Also the next one I plan on posting will be about the OPSL 488nm lasers. I have a bit of 488nm and I am still not sick of it!
@@Zenodilodon I shall..I have a broken uniphase argon ion laser - I don't know how to fix it, but simply won't discard it.
@@saturn1returns Depends what's wrong with it. I suggest joining the StyroPyro Discord server as there are plenty of techs in the chat and you will easily be able to find help on it.
Wow, RUclips is really slacking because I have watched similar videos before and loved them. I also loved this video of course. I wish I didn’t have to manually search your name to watch your videos and RUclips would actually let me know when you post but whatever, either way, awesome vid.
RUclips has been slacking big time, I am missing notifications for all sorts of things, I think only 2 of the comments on this video actually came through as notifications. Glad you liked the video! I hope to get a bit more diversity on laser topics this summer so search often :P
Wow! I've ever seen such a nasty looking laser, all covered with toner. Nice clean up. Couldn't believe how you so casually drenched it with alcohol and/or trichloroethylene. Never thought I'd ever see another Lexel laser, nearly identical to a second hand re-gassed krypton I once had.
Just finishing my 3 watt RGB projector redesign, but the red was little out of alignment, so I decided to have a go at re-alignment. The dichroic mount was glued down, so I used a razor knife to cut it free. While loosening the base machine screw, it pushed up on the bottom of the dichroic and popped it off the mount. Dolt! Rookie mistake #1. |-(
Only had iso-alcohol and toilet paper to clean off the old glue from all surfaces and Gorilla glue to reassemble. Again only toilet paper and iso-alcohol for final dichroic cleaning.
Of course, I need to order some proper lens cleaning tissue for trail wiping. But, I know that adhesives have improved a lot over the past 30 years and I'm sure there's something better than SuperGlue, nowadays.
So, please enlighten me, dearest Wizard of Light. What glue do you use and what cleaning solvents should and shouldn't be used?
Thanks as always :-)
Could it be a pulsed laser so it needs more a spike of power, maybe 96vdc is the lowest amount needed, try a change of about 10%, I've also noticed about a lot of power supplies is that they will trip on and off and you might need to cut the feedback, I have a tube that takes about 15A but it never gets up to full temperature because my ps is a hos
Making a laser is always a fun task!
I had the full service manual for the ALC 60x which as this point is probably worth more than the laser lol. The manual was what I was working from during the rebuild. My thoughts was that the Oudin coil may of just grounded before it made a full ignition path in the laser. We have a Cyonics argon ion PS here that needs a retrofit to try it. The tube may also be bad so I am looking at getting another ALC 60X tube and assembly to try. The second ALC 60x also has a prism tuning assembly. I don't know when I'll be getting that or when I'll get to working on it but it's a future thing in the works.
@@Zenodilodon I am sure you can make it work! Goodluck, and watch your eyes!
If you need a way to test ignition, use a small!!! tesla coil or "borrow" a igniter circuit from a large laser tube.
We tried a 20-30kv ish Tesla/Oudin coil, I think the issue was either failure in the gas quality in the tube or the coil just found ground and never got to the cathode/across the tube. We tried for a good while. Adam has used that same tool to ignite other Argon Ions in the past. We both have a bad feeling on the laser tube at this point. Maybe it's destiny is to be a what the sword market calls " A wall hanger ".
@@Zenodilodon check if you have current flow when you try to ignite the tube.
@@philipweser8774 Voltage and current where both monitored on the anode and tube, no current draw was in across the tube.
Did you ever get it working?
It's a back shelf project, could need a new tube, there is a PSU that can be re-wired and tried as well. I am looking at getting some parts in for the 60x. I am also thinking of getting a Lexel 88 down the line. Not sure what is going to happen.
I really want to get an argon laser to learn about them then m goal is to eventually make a handheld gas laser. Anyone have one they could donate or any ideas where I can find one for cheap possible free?
The first thing to maybe tackle is making a hand held He-Ne laser. I have already a working PSU schematic that will drive one of the smaller tubes using at little as a single lithium oion battery. That's something I can help you with a little. There is a picture of it on my community section. As far as running an ion laser hand held, I hope you are ok with a backpack of batteries!
calling the background music stupid, is a huge understatement.
You'll just have to watch the videos without background music. I cater to a bit of everyone's preferences and taste.
Do share your complete feelings in adequate fashion as to why you have said opinion, don't hold back as this is a snow flake free zone.
@@Zenodilodon, I have to apologize for calling the music "stupid", music can not be stupid and it's just the listener's opinion if they like it or not and I believe this music would be a very good choice for many videos or occasions. but using it the way it is used here is not adding to your video and take away from it. it's not entertaining and you don't need to cover the background as the vocal delivery is good enough also the music competing with vocals and reduces the ability of the viewer to understand the vocals especially for people with hearing problems, older listeners, and worst, for people with hearing aid or implant. also, the level of music could be 10-20 dB lower and still recognizable. In the end, I don't know you and really don't care what you think of me anyway. I made a very bad choice of words (stupid) I meant your video is better without the music not because the music is bad!!! my apologies to you and especially your musician friend.
@@Zenodilodon also appreciate you write a reply! honestly, I would delete the comment if I felt it was offending especially to the 3rd party (your musician friend) but still standing with my opinion and say, I believe your video would be better without the musician in the background...
@@thisisnotme7549 Thanks for getting back to me! As I said before, I try to cater to a bit of everyone's tastes. TBH I personally like videos without music in them, some people do so every once and a while I'll throw some in.
Let's actually cover the portion of those with hearing impairments, maybe you will understand better as well knowing the color of the grass over here. I have 5% hearing in my right ear with a constant ringing, and my left is maybe 60% capable. I can't use my laptop speakers since they simply are not loud enough and have to use external speakers. So understand that well, I have no clue what sound levels are which might explain a bit of why the music is a bit louder than it should be, I literally can't do much about that as I am fighting a constant ringing while trying to find an audio range that seems like it's good. So if I may do understand that this is a video made by a person who is hearing impaired. I also honestly have a hard time determining how good the vocals are. Thanks for letting me know they aren't absolute shit lol, your feedback is valued as well, my feedback on that is skewed.
In response to your comment about the video being better without music. That is 100% opinion as others have commented on the music being a good addition. You both cannot be correct, but I recognize both can be catered too by the production of different video styles. Some people like long videos, some people like short videos, some people like casual chat, some people just want the quick fix. As a content creator it's a tough game to play and well, I'm the captain here on this channel for better or worse.
You do care somewhat on what i think, if not you wouldn't be replying, and certainly not apologizing to any degree. Here is what I find interesting though. On many occasions people who leave the right level of mean/objectively rude comments fall into 2 categories. The first one is the flame throwing keyboard troll that is in it for the attention/power high. Usually it's an incredibly shallow superficial hit and attempted contrast to social standing. Those people get pinned and I let the real world deal with them. You fall more-so in the second category. A person who invested time to figure something out and feels impeded by a portion of content. Usually this is honest feedback left in a very straight forward blunt force way. I find that more often than not it's typically not done to be mean, attacking, or even derogatory. These types of people I find are more or less in general frustrated with life, or a situation in that moment and in some way just want to be openly heard.
This is why I let you know that you can 100% say exactly what you think. I hold to that. I think everyone should be able to speak what's on their mind even if I don't agree with it. I mean, honestly what are you going to say that is going to effect me directly? You could say that this is the worst channel on the platform and it would invalidate absolutely nothing I have done. That's a solid fact nobody can undo with words. In many ways though I look forward to hearing from those who have the best chance of knocking me down a peg or 2 as it's hard to learn and maintain falsifiability and objective reasoning without correction and reminders to be humble.
I think that's all for this reply, I hope you get back to me with more thoughts, though I would warn you that if you're not careful you might just end up with another friend.
@@Zenodilodon cheers mate! thanks for the reply. I'm happy you are not offended by my reply.
i was watching a recent video of yours and realized you experimenting with different formats for music and vocals (the video with mini laser drives from your freand) and thought it was great. you are doing great and hope you achieve whatever you desire for your channel.
hey man where you been? hope you did not forget about us lol i was looking at argon ions for sale and found one on ebay by spectra physics for only 100 bucks but i like you to have a look at it first ,not much info , nice one you got there and vid helps to know what to look for in these and how they are made but would be better without backround music as its hard enough making out your voice without it but i know your'e a rocker
Yeah you can send over the link via e-mail. I just picked up an Accucure 3000 this week. it's a compact 250mw multiline argon ion. Cost me only $130ish.
Background music is a funny thing, some people love it some people hate it. Personally I don't care for it either but when I do nicer editing I tent to put it in because it's only a few mouse clicks. I do have to work on levels though. That is tricky as I am a bit hard of hearing these days >.
yeah seems like there is a remote unit input for the driver but probably not included
@@Zenodilodon did you not get my link regarind that argon laser ? im sure i sent it to you but have not heard back ,, btw how can the same mirrors handle multy line spec? i thought each laser had specially tuned mirrors made for the specific freq that is put out? so how can argon mirrors handle all these different ones? and how is it possible to have all of them lasing at the same time because from what i know the resonator distance has to create a standing wave for whatever line is put out so when you got more than one how are you able to create all these standing wave at the same distance of mirror separation? obviously im wrong somewhere
strange im sure i left the link to that ebay argon laser here since i describe part of it in the above comment but i do not see the comment with the link? like it was removed? anyways ill try to find it again
What year was that printer from 😂
~ fights urge to yell " 5 " ~
music so loud
Video creator so deaf. My judgement of volume levels is just toast.
I wonder if an ultrasonic bath in alcohol or lacquer thinner would do the trick? I know .....ultrasonics and flammables are a big no-no but I live dangerously 😁
Or possibly more of an oil base type cleaner like kerosene or heavy mineral spirits
Obviously you wouldn’t want the optics or tube in ultrasonic because it could remove the coatings or maybe vibrate something loose and work moisture into sealed places. Similar to how large diamond rings usually aren’t cleaned and ultrasonic cleaners because it can vibrate the diamond loose and the settings need to be checked after
@@hullinstruments TCE practically washed toner off like water washing chalk off pavement. Since it's not easily purchased we tried more common solvents first. We did use an ultrasonic cleaner for the screws and smaller hardware and that did work well too.
nice video ...sound behind the explanation is silly and highly unecessary. It distracts listening. Should be removed immediately. But great video.