the brightest laser pointer in the world!
TLDRThe video script discusses the creation of an oversized, high-powered green laser pointer, highlighting the potential dangers and educational uses of laser pointers. The creator shares concerns about the strength and infrared leakage of common laser pointers, before detailing the construction process of the massive laser using a high-powered green laser diode array and a microwave flyback transformer. The video showcases the laser's capabilities, from lighting matches to burning through various materials, and touches on the engineering challenge known as the 'green gap'.
Takeaways
- 🌟 The speaker discusses the mixed feelings about green laser pointers, highlighting their educational value but also their potential dangers.
- 🔍 Green laser pointers can be more powerful than advertised, posing a significant risk to the eyes if not used properly.
- 🚫 The issue of invisible infrared light leakage from these devices, even from dim green spots, is a concern due to the powerful infrared laser diode used in their operation.
- 💡 The educational potential of laser pointers is emphasized, as they can demonstrate various scientific phenomena when used safely and appropriately.
- 🔧 The speaker's ambition to create a large-scale version of a green laser pointer is driven by the desire to showcase its capabilities in a more dramatic way.
- 🌐 The technology behind green laser pointers is not new, with handheld green lasers driven by infrared lasers being around for about 30 years.
- 🔋 The use of a high-powered green laser diode array, obtained through unconventional means, is intended to power the mega scale laser pointer.
- ⚡ The speaker explores using an inverter microwave oven as a power source for the laser array due to its lighter and more efficient design.
- 🛠️ The process of building the laser involves creating a prototype drive circuit and testing it before integrating it with the laser array.
- 🔥 The completed laser is extremely bright and has various applications, including lighting matches, burning materials, and even cooking chemicals on a microwave.
- 📈 The green laser's brightness is attributed to the eye's higher sensitivity to green light compared to blue, despite the blue laser having a higher output power.
Q & A
What are the potential dangers of green laser pointers mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions that green laser pointers can be substantially stronger than advertised, posing a risk to the eyes. They can also leak dangerous amounts of invisible infrared light, which can be harmful even from pointers with a dim green spot. Additionally, there's a risk of fire hazards due to the intense heat the laser can generate.
How does the technology in green laser pointers work?
-The technology in green laser pointers involves a powerful infrared laser diode that powers a separate laser crystal. The output from this crystal is then fed through a frequency doubling crystal to produce green light.
What is the significance of using a direct diode version for the laser pointer project?
-The direct diode version is preferred because it is more modern and eliminates the need for a frequency doubling crystal. It also directly emits green light, which is more efficient and safer compared to the older technology that involves infrared light.
How did the creator obtain the high-powered green laser diode array?
-The creator obtained the high-powered green laser diode array through a contact named Biggie cheese and a sketchy operation based in China. The manufacturer denies the existence of such a product, indicating its potentially illicit or restricted nature.
What is the purpose of using an inverter microwave oven in the project?
-The inverter microwave oven is used because it is lighter and more efficient than traditional microwave ovens. Its transformer has been swapped for a smaller ferrite transformer, which still delivers the same power but in a more portable form factor, suitable for powering the laser array.
What are the unique features of the completed laser pointer project?
-The completed laser pointer is the brightest one ever made, being six thousand times stronger than a normal laser pointer and 60 times past the limit of the highest laser danger rating of class 4. It can light matches, burn through various materials, and even engrave wood and metal.
What is the 'green gap' in engineering mentioned in the script?
-The 'green gap' refers to the current unsolved problem in engineering where green laser diodes and LEDs are not very efficient. Solving this problem could lead to more efficient lighting with better color rendering than current LED options.
How did the creator test the burning capabilities of the laser pointer?
-The creator tested the laser pointer's burning capabilities by focusing the beam with a lens to increase power density and then attempting to burn or engrave various materials such as wood, soldering wire, CDs, and plastic.
What challenges did the creator face while designing the drive circuit for the laser array?
-The creator faced challenges with the compatibility of using a simple analog circuit based on a 555 timer with a flyback topology, which is not ideal for higher powers. Issues included excessive current draw, voltage exceeding limits, and a feedback loop causing the circuit to malfunction. Solutions involved degapping the microwave transformer core, adding additional windings, and adjusting component positions.
What precautions should be taken while using the completed laser pointer?
-The script emphasizes the importance of wearing protective goggles while using the laser pointer due to the high risk of eye damage. Additionally, one should be aware of the potential fire hazards and the risk of electrical shock from the high voltages involved in the device.
How does the creator describe the efficiency of the drive circuit used in the project?
-The creator mentions that the drive circuit has an efficiency of 94% power conversion, which is their best achievement so far. However, they also note that it is probably the worst laser diode driver ever made that actually works as intended, highlighting the trade-off between efficiency and the simplicity of the design.
Outlines
🌟 Introduction to Green Laser Pointers
The speaker introduces a green laser pointer, a common and affordable device with potential educational uses. However, they express concerns about the device's potential dangers, such as being stronger than advertised and the risk of invisible infrared light leakage, which can harm the eyes. Despite these risks, the speaker highlights the positive impact of these pointers in sparking scientific curiosity and plans to create a massive version of a green laser pointer using a high-powered green laser diode array.
🔋 Powering the Mega Laser Pointer
The speaker discusses the challenges of powering the laser diode array for the mega laser pointer. They explore the idea of using a modern microwave oven's inverter technology, which is lighter and more efficient due to its high-frequency switching. The speaker opens an inverter microwave oven to reveal the circuitry and warns of the dangers of the transformer inside. They then describe their prototype drive circuit, which uses the microwave flyback as a boost inductor, and successfully tests it with LEDs before attempting to power the laser array.
🔥 Testing the Mega Laser Pointer's Capabilities
The speaker showcases the completed mega laser pointer, acknowledging its potential dangers and lack of practical uses. They demonstrate the laser's ability to ignite various materials, such as matches, paper bags, plastic, and flash paper, as well as its potential uses, like heating reactive chemicals from a distance and cutting electrical tape. The speaker also highlights the laser's efficiency and compares it to their previous blue laser build, noting the green laser's greater brightness despite lower output power.
🎥 The Laser's Effects on Various Materials and Devices
The speaker conducts a series of experiments to test the laser's effects on different materials and devices. They observe the laser causing a Crooke's radiometer to spin rapidly, engraving wood, melting soldering wire, burning a CD, and cutting through a cup. The speaker also tests the laser on an old camera, revealing that while the laser distorts the camera's view and damages the LCD screen, the camera still functions after prolonged exposure to the laser beam.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Green laser pointer
💡Infrared laser diode
💡Frequency doubling crystal
💡Laser diode array
💡Microwave flyback transformer
💡555 timer
💡Power electronics
💡Pyrolysis
💡Laser engraving
💡Green gap
Highlights
The speaker discusses the mixed feelings about green laser pointers, acknowledging their educational value but also their potential dangers.
Green laser pointers are often stronger than advertised, posing a significant risk to the eyes.
These devices can leak dangerous amounts of invisible infrared light, even when the green spot appears dim.
The technology behind these laser pointers is quite old, with handheld green lasers driven by powerful infrared lasers being around for 30 years.
The speaker has acquired a high-powered green laser diode array, which is a more modern and efficient technology compared to traditional laser pointers.
The green laser diode array is tested and produces an impressive amount of light, indicating its potential for creating a powerful laser.
The speaker plans to use an inverter microwave oven to power the laser array due to its lighter weight and more efficient power delivery.
The inside of microwave ovens is extremely dangerous, with the transformer being a significant risk factor.
A prototype drive circuit using a microwave flyback as a boost inductor is successfully tested with LEDs before being used with the laser array.
The completed laser is the brightest ever made, being six thousand times stronger than a normal laser pointer and surpassing the highest laser danger rating of class 4.
Despite its power, the green laser is less efficient than the speaker's previous 100-watt blue laser build, highlighting the engineering challenge known as the green gap.
The laser's burning capabilities are tested, demonstrating its ability to light matches and engrave wood, among other applications.
The laser is also capable of cutting through soldering wire and burning CDs, showcasing its practical applications.
The speaker uses the laser to cook an LCD screen, resulting in an impressive display of the laser's power.
The drive circuit for the laser achieves an impressive 94% power conversion efficiency, despite being a unconventional design.
The speaker shares insights into the challenges and peculiarities of designing the laser's power electronics, emphasizing the field's complexity and unpredictability.
Transcripts
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