Laser Pointers and Ice

[bruto]

Alas, it seems that infrared laser pointers are not sold in the United States though.

I suppose if you want a whole carload of information about every possible laser you could find somewhere, this is not the best place, But if you're curious about what would happen if an ordinary American points an ordinary laser pointer at stuff, perhaps this is a good one. There are people here willing to point laser pointers at stuff, after all.

 

[John Jones]

Not true.
http://www.cnilaser.com/laser pointer and portable laser.htm

IR handheld lasers https://www.laserglow.com/int-handheld.htm

I'll be darned. What good is a laser pointer you can't actually see? Unless the pointer part is a euphemism for something.

 

[Steve001]

Alas, it seems that infrared laser pointers are not sold in the United States though.

They are.
http://www.handylaser.com/pages/infrared_laser.aspx

 

[Steve001]

I'll be darned. What good is a laser pointer you can't actually see? Unless the pointer part is a euphemism for something.

Mostly for burning stuff I'd imagine. Follow link.
http://www.handylaser.com/pages/infrared_laser.aspx

 

[Hellbound]

I'll be darned. What good is a laser pointer you can't actually see? Unless the pointer part is a euphemism for something.

Mostly for burning stuff I'd imagine. Follow link.
http://www.handylaser.com/pages/infrared_laser.aspx

Actually, I could see a military application for it. Might be visible in night-vision goggles. Some of the IR TV-remotes are.

 

[catsmate]

Actually, I could see a military application for it. Might be visible in night-vision goggles. Some of the IR TV-remotes are.

Yep. Many military laser dot projectors can switch to IR for use at night, almost all light amplification systems also incorporate IR conversion (for things like map reading).

Here's a warning from NIST about cheap green pointers outputting rather high levels of IR

 

[MRC_Hans]

I seem to recall some home-brew projects using the lasers in DVD-R drives, but I don't remember the details. I think you can cob up something with a little more zing than a pointer, though. Maybe enough to pop the right color balloon.

The laser in a DVD writer, preferably a high-speed version,puts out a fair power in red light. Can burn holes in balloons and thin plastic sheets.

CD writers use IR.

(Blu-ray uses, of course, blue, but I don't know if any writers are on the market yet).

Hans

 

[MRC_Hans]

Here's a warning from NIST about cheap green pointers outputting rather high levels of IR

Interesting! I immidiately tested my green laser pointer, but it didn't have that problem.

Hans

 

[catsmate]

The laser in a DVD writer, preferably a high-speed version,puts out a fair power in red light. Can burn holes in balloons and thin plastic sheets.

CD writers use IR.

(Blu-ray uses, of course, blue, but I don't know if any writers are on the market yet).

Hans

Recordable BD has been around for a while, not much uptake as it's an expensive niche product. You'd be better off buying a cheap blue diode rather than cannibalising.
Depending on the record speed BD-R lasers can emit up to ~500mW @405nm.

 

[Olowkow]

Here is a 7 watt relatively dangerous carbon dioxide IR laser aimed at ice, ~1:00 minutes.



Fairly serious green laser cutting snow. Turn down silly music.



5 mw green laser pointer vs. ice cube



Ice and snow are too reflective and dispersive to absorb much energy from a laser.

 

[Steve001]

Interesting! I immidiately tested my green laser pointer, but it didn't have that problem.

Hans

Some green pointers may not have an ir filter.