You are here: DIME Home > Online Education > Laser Pointers: An Insight

Laser Pointers: An Insight

Laser pointers utilize a small laser to draw attention to a certain spot. Though by itself, it is invisible, it becomesPublic concern has been aroused over the last couple of years, since even though laser pointers are designed to be safe, they can be misused very easily.

Author: cierrabarone34
Date: Jan 20, 2010 - 10:30:57 PM

Printer friendly page

Laser pointers utilize a small laser to draw attention to a certain spot. Though by itself, it is invisible, it becomesPublic concern has been aroused over the last couple of years, since even though laser pointers are designed to be safe, they can be misused very easily.

   Flash Back

   The first pointers used laser contained helium-neon gas. The laser radiation generated was at 633nm (nanometers) with power out put of maximum 1 mW (milli watt). For such lasers which have less than 1mW power and radiation between 440 and 700 nm, the human eye blink reflux offers adequate protection. These lasers are known as Class 2 laser. Retinal injury can be caused to a person deliberately looks into the beam, overcoming natural reflux.

   Following this was the diode lasers which have beams of 690nm with power output pf 5mW. Both are red wavelengths visible to naked eye but the eye sees 633nm brighter than 690nm. This explains the need for higher power for an output equaling that of 633nm laser pointers.

   The green laser pointer makes use of frequency doubled Neodymium with a blocked infrared component. The wavelength of this laser pointer is 533nm and it is brighter than the other pointers. Pointers that operate needing 1-5mW power are called as Class 3a lasers and have been proved to be hazardous if viewed for even a short time period. These lasers are required by Food and Drug Administration regulations to be marked as Danger. Class 2 lasers are marked as Caution.

   Associated Effects

   No user should look at the laser beam directly. The hazards that can occur include:

   *Startle effects
   *Flash blindness
   *Glare
   *After images etc.

   The law considers pointing laser at people as a criminal misdemeanor and the crime becomes a felony if laser is pointed towards an aircraft. Moreover, in some jurisdictions it is necessary for the purchaser of laser pointer to be above 18 years of age. Also, lasers requiring more than 5mW power should not be used as pointers.

   Blue And Green Laser Pointers

   Blue and green lasers differ in price. Green laser is less expensive when compared to blue laser. The price difference is mainly due to difference in processes that are used to generate the laser beams, components used and the volume in which they are manufactured. 

   Both laser beams use diode but they differ in the optical coating of pumped crystals and infrared light producing them. Green laser produces 1064nms infrared light while 946 nm infrared light is given out by the blue beam. Thus blue lasers require a larger pump diode making them more expensive. Green lasers have better visibility and hence are in more demand leading to higher volume of manufacturing. Green lasers are used in astronomy, burning, signaling, pointing and other diverse applications. Thus, the higher the manufacturing volume, the lower is the price.

   Laser beams should be used with caution and only for the purpose they are intended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laser pointers helps to draw attention to a particular spot. It become visible when light disperses due to dirt particles in the path of the laser beam. Read more about laser pointers by visiting us at the provided link.

View all articles by cierrabarone34

Link to this article:

Code to copy:

<a href="http://www.dime-co.com/online-education/Laser-Pointers-An-Insight.shtml">Laser Pointers: An Insight</a>

---

Search for articles: Advanced Search

Recommended Associates

Latest Articles in All Categories

Putting Up a Small Commercial Printing Business

So You Might Be Unemployed And Desire To Become A San Francisco Real Estate Investor Now

Meditation and Mindfulness: Dealing With Emotion

CPA Websites: Five Essential Ideas for Composing Convincing Articles

Set Goals In Order to Come Up With Your Action Plan

Is the Air in Your Home Safe to Breathe?

Coarse Fishing Tackle Review: The JW Young 13ft Trotter Rod

Section 1031 Exchanges For San Diego Real Estate Investors

Phoenix Real Estate Investing For Highest Possible Earnings

Legendary are the Volk Racing TE37 Wheels

Developing the Next Generation Wall Station (ChaseDesk™) for Healthcare - A Case Study

What are step down transformers?

Introducing Sharehype, the Revolutionary Tool for Online Marketers

Rewards To Shopping For Austin Real Estate On The Web

Hydroponics for Beginners

Do you write?

Would you like submit your articles and have them approved on a priority status? Find out more about how you can become a Priority author for pennies a day! Click here.

News Feed

Dime-co.com Home

Business (9328)

Computers & The Internet (5740)

Entertainment (1348)

Family (958)

Finance (1963)

Health (4246)

Home and Living (6670)

Marketing (6113)

Shopping & Product Reviews (2624)

Sports (694)

Travel and Vacations (1689)

Video Articles (1)

Editors Pick (1)