7 colour laser optics

A warning before we start, this project should give little trouble to experienced laser modders, if you have never built your own laser I would suggest starting with something more basic.

Using inexpensive and easy to get parts, build a 7 colour, including of course white, hand held laser.

The following parts will be enough to build a bare, 7 selectable colour laser, it is up to you to make the housing of your choice. This could easily be built into a project box but I wanted a hand held pointer. Video link below shows what I decided to do with it.

Basic parts list
2 off Aixiz modules *
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5914
1 off Standstone11 5mw green module
http://www.o-like.com/b2b_cpinfo.asp?id=839
1 off SenKat red laser diode (fit into Aixiz module)*
http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65&zenid=1fbee4eaf3f879a42b204d666a1760bc
1 off PHR 803T sled (fit Blu ray LD into Aixiz module)*
Look at group buys on laserpointerforums.com
1 off PS3 sled
Look at group buys on laserpointerforums.com
1 off Non working DX 5mw green module

• you could avoid having to fit the laser diodes by buying them from http://hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12

Additional parts used in this build
3 off Lathe turned adaptors
If you have a lathe no problem if not & you need to improvise.
1 off Rkcstr drive' low range (for the blu ray)
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1206947255
1 off Rkcstr drive' high range (for the red)
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1206947255
3 off RCR123A rechargeable batteries
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11386
3 push buttons, one for each colour.

If you have no experience of mounting laser diodes and drivers into modules there are usually some ready assembled ones for sale in buy,sell and trade here. http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?board=b_bst
Or by buying them from http://hightechdealz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12

Step 1: Modding the PS3 sled01

You will need to remove all of the optics EXCEPT the 2 splitter cubes
And the turning mirror (remove all the bits marked in red)

Comments

[Daxuto]

Sorry for all the questions, but was wondering what resistance the potentiometer for the spiro had? Also, where did you obtain the acrylic fs mirrors?
On my quest through dealextreme for these lasers, my shipment was a tad slow, so I issued a missing parts message (it had been a few weeks at least), and ended up with a free extra red diode and new wish green diode when the original ones ended up arriving the same day as the "replacements".
Quite a deal I'd say

[rog8811]

Acrylic mirror from ebay.
Pot, I just found one that worked....100 ohm I think it was.

[Daxuto]

okay thanks. Alright, I had done a mini spiro earlier on, like a few weeks ago, and 100Ω pots seemed to work well

[Daxuto]

Two more (sorry, I just keep running into things): What did you do about the buttons on the green modules to bypass them, just solder wires directly to it? Lastly, if I'm building your driver for the red and bluray, would it cause any problems if i were to have them share the same ground? I wouldn't expect it to matter, but I don't want to kill any diodes ^^;

[rog8811]

The blu ray and red can share the same power supply, the green needs to be kept separate as it is pos earth,
I remove the push button and solder a link to replace it.

[Daxuto]

Ok, so no problem there, thanks again.

[Daxuto]

How did you manage to get a set of mirrors in that handheld flashlight-sized body? Or is it a secret? >3>;

[rog8811]

No secret, just trial and error.
It was not the first 2 mirror setup I had done so I had a head start on it.

[Daxuto]

Okay, and if I am assuming right, the closer you have the mirrors to each other, the smaller they will have to be, seeing as the laser's path's radius doesn't spread as far, right?

[rog8811]

Yes the mirrors are close together but need to be placed so that the first one doesn't get in the way of the reflected path from the second mirror, there is no formula for this, just suck it and see

[Daxuto]

Yeah, sounds fine, arranging them in a way they don't block it shouldnt be too bad

[Daxuto]

Quick questions:
How many laser diodes are necessary, you say 2 red aixiz modules, 1 working green module (link is outdated), one broken green (why do we need this?), both a PS3 sled as well as PHR 803T sled (again, why is this?), a SenKat red laser diode (why do we need to put this in an aixiz if we have two others?)?
Sorry about that, but I'm not quite sure what aixiz modules and what lasers we really need, the wording on the parts list is a tad difficult to understand.
Also, what are the Rkcstr drives for, are they the only drives that can be used, and why is there not one for the green diode?
Many thanks, this parts list is my birthday gift this year, so I can make this project~

[rog8811]

How many laser diodes are necessary
One bluray, one red
you say 2 red aixiz modules
one foir the bluray one for the senkat red,
1 working green module, one broken green (why do we need this?),
Broken green for the part that joins the working laser to the sled assembly.
both a PS3 sled as well as PHR 803T sled
I needed parts from both to make it work

As to the rest of your questions, could I suggest that you visit laser pointer forums to see more up to date information? This laser was the very first 7 colour laser, many more have been built since and there is a lot of more up to date info on that site than I can give you.

Good luck!

[Daxuto]

Ahh, okay. I have the bluray in an aixiz premade, and this red module, would the red that comes in it be fine?
If I read right on your site, you needed the mirror from the ps3 sled and the body of the other, as it was smaller, right?
Thanks for the answers, I figured out the others in the meantime, so now I have a better understanding ^.^

[Daxuto]

(also, for the sled setup, I'm referring to this arrangement)

[matstermind]

how many mW are the purple and red diodes?

[mackintoshlinessless]

how do you make a beam combiner because im trying to make one to combine a red and green laser to give me yellow

[rog8811]

You need either a dichro or a suitable splitter cube from an optic sled.
You then need to mount the 2 lasers solidly at the right angles to get a good beam.......

There are loads of tutorials on how to do this, try laserpointerforums.

regards rog8811

[mackintoshlinessless]

so could i get a sled with a splitter cube out of say, a portable cd drive or a computer disk drive from a computer thown out for council clean up. because im noot going to pull a ps3 apart. thanks

[rog8811]

Yes, take any old sled apart and shine the lasers through the various optics to find something that will work...that is how I do it.

Regards rog8811

[mackintoshlinessless]

oh thanks! that will really help me

[nomooremr.niceguy]

Does anyone have the schematic for a good driver circuit for a blue/violet laser diode (Model 803T to be exact)? I would be very grateful if someone could send me one, because none of the schematics I've dug up perform up to par. Thank you for any help you can offer.

[rog8811]

What drivers have you looked at? What is it they don't do that you want to do? I have used Rkcstr drives and LM317 drivers and am happy with the result. Regards rog8811

[nomooremr.niceguy]

I've looked at an LM317 driver on Kipkay's 007 Weapon project, but someone said it would only allow the diode to last for a few hours. So I was hoping that someone would have had experience with one that would allow for longer life that I would be able to use, seeing as it would have been tried and tested. I just though if someone else has already done the research, and had the experiences, why not ask for advice? They wouldn't give it if it were an inconvenience to them. Also, I have an entire assembly, and it contains 2 laser diodes. One appears to have 3 leads, and the other appears to have 4. Which is the blue/violet diode? I'm assuming it would be the diode with 4 leads. If so, which lead is which? They seem to be in a square formation. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[rog8811]

There is no problem using the LM317 circuit as long as it is set up correctly, you will find all you need to know here...
http://www.rog8811.com/laserdriver.htm
Remember that we use these Laser diodes at far more current than they were designed for, a safeish current for a PHR 803T is 100ma.
To help identify your LD go here......
http://www.rog8811.com/laserdiodes.htm

[nomooremr.niceguy]

Thank you so much. That's really helpful. I'll see how it turns out. When I bought my laser diode it said it was rated at 150 mW. I understand that it is better to under drive it than over drive it. But I want to make sure I really understand this before I go and do something stupid. If I understand you right, it says it's rated at 150 mW, but you recommend running it at 100 mW. Is that correct? Would that be because it will over drive? (I assume so, but as I said, I want to really understand this.) If I run it at 100mW, would it still have the "burning" capacity shown in other instructables? I'm sorry about all the questions. Thank you so much for your time and your patience.

[rog8811]

At 100ma you will get close to 100mw which is plenty to burn, you may have seen my zippo laser lighter, that is running at around the suggested power. I have killed 2 PHR blu-rays by trying to run them @ 110ma so I now go for safe! The 150mw rating may be correct but having not seen the diode you have I am not going to advise you to up the power, that is up to you....do you feel lucky. :) Regards rog8811

[nomooremr.niceguy]

Ok. That makes sense. Thank you. What would you suggest using as a housing? Do you have any suggestions? Would it be possible to fit it in a large wrist watch?

[rog8811]

If your wristwatch is the size of a zippo lighter the answer is yes, it would be a first as far as I am aware, do it and post an instructable ;) Regards rog8811

[nomooremr.niceguy]

I'm very sorry. I now have another question. I've acquired all the parts, and looking at the schematic you referred me to, I was just wanting to make sure the two leads of the variable resistor that connect are the leads labeled 1 and 2. Is that correct? Sorry. They weren't labeled on the schematic. Also I got a 10mfd 25v axial cap. Will that work sufficiently? And the arrows on the side do point to the positive lead, am I correct? Thank you for all your help.

[rog8811]

the two leads of the variable resistor that connect are the leads labeled 1 and 2. Is that correct? If you are using a multiturn pot like in the diagram. Of the 3 pins, the middle pin connects to an end pin (doesn't matter which) that leaves you with just 2 pins and 2 wires to connect...You can't go wrong. Also I got a 10mfd 25v axial cap. Will that work sufficiently? Cap will be fine... most capacitors have the neg (-) marked... the long lead is normally the pos (+)....That is the best I can tell you without seeing it. Regards rog8811

[nomooremr.niceguy]

I hate to bother you again, but right now I'm having some trouble with a couple of the schematics you posted on your site. The first schematic of the dummy load and the schematic of the dummy load attached to the driver circuit show the resistor on opposite sides of the diodes. I was hoping you could clarify where it should be placed in the circuit. Should I attach the driver circuit's positive or negative lead to the resistor? Thank you again for all your help.

[rog8811]

It doesn't matter where the resistor goes in the test load, either end will do.;) (I have added a note to the website, thanks for pointing it out) Regards rog8811

[nomooremr.niceguy]

I was considering integrating a reed switch into the circuit. I was wondering if a neodymium magnet would upset the circuit.

[rog8811]

I cannot think of anything that would be effected by a magnet, it would need to be incredibly powerful to bend the beam :) Regards rog8811

[nomooremr.niceguy]

I built it and tuned it. Regrettably I think I must have damaged the laser diode when I removed it from it's original housing. I can't get the dot smaller than a quarter inch at 5 feet, and it's still a dot even without the focusing lens. Everything I've read says it should be a line. Oh well, another day, another disaster. Thank you for all your help. It's much appreciated. I would give you a patch if I could. Happy tweaking! Sinisterly, The Not So Nice Guy

[nomooremr.niceguy]

That's just what I wanted to hear. Thank you again.

[nomooremr.niceguy]

Not a problem. Thank you for all your help.

[nomooremr.niceguy]

Ok. Thank you. My pot. is a multi turn. But the turn is on the side instead of the top. But I don't think it would matter. And the cap has + in between arrows. so I think it's safe to assume the arrows point to the positive side. I didn't know the long lead is positive. That's useful. Thank you again for all your help. I'll let you know how it turns out. Have a good day.

[nomooremr.niceguy]

Also, does it require a 9v battery? Or could I substitute it with 3 CR2032's or something of that caliber?