Laser diode array

[jxmiller]

Not sure if this is feasible in the realm of cost, but this surely could work to heat liquid to vaporization temps. Please look through all of their products they have varying devices, not just the one I linked to.

Passively Cooled Pump Donut™ Photo

 

[SethG]

Oh yes, everything is better with a "laser." I just about cracked up thinking about Dr. Evil with a laser powered vaporizer. I think this would be outside the cost that most everyone would be willing to spend, but it's an interesting concept.

This has got me thinking though, I have a short spool (20 feet or so) of erbium doped IR amplification fiber. I wonder how much power I could get out of it...

 

[jxmiller]

SethG, looking around I think I have found what might be the best option.


Infrared Laser ~$200
LINK

I believe the innards are quite small once the device is taken apart. I think the diode is probably less than 10mm and would probably fit inside a 901.

I think it would have to be protected from vapor or liquid by glass.. I am unsure if the laser would pass through the glass effectively.

Yeah this would be a high cost experiment.

 

[SethG]

I actually put a bit more thought into this. I'm afraid that the power consumption needed to turn electricity to laser energy and than back into heat energy, even if the laser was infrared, would be extraordinarily high. I'm afraid the power consumption with current technology wouldn't warrant the end result. Plus there is the issue of fluid delivery to the laser, photon absorption rate and efficiency of materials, safety...

As long as I'm mentioning safety, what about heating the atomizer by electrical induction? Sure, some might say that having a sizable capacitor in your face/mouth/hand might not be a good idea, but think of the vapor and the atty would last almost forever!

 

[henrid84]

what about a Flux Capacitor?
or even a unlicensed nuclear excelarator


but really, all jokes aside. the battery life in those lasers is good enough to last and 200mw is more than enough to vaporize liquid. it could even just point in the direction of cart filler and once the area is evaporated it would moisten back up in a matter of seconds, just like a normal atty. still though, not cost effective but would be a nice personal project (concept).

 

[BuzzKill]

Guys 1 watt 808nm laser for $5 on Ebad ! 1000mw more than enough to vaporize a liquid on a small object

LAter
Marlbuzz

 

[SethG]

Guys 1 watt 808nm laser for $5 on Ebad !

I'm not seeing it there, the lowest I have seen with the same specs are $20 + $10 shipping. That's not really that much to blow considering it "could" be a viable solution to the atty burning out issue. I wonder what the lifetime of those are, and how durable they would be to getting dropped? I'll message one of the sellers.

As long as this is out there, might as well roll with it. I'll consider buying one of these in the next few weeks considering I have an final quarter bonus coming up.

The funny thing with infrared (IR) is that most metals reflect it very well. Although the nickle foam material in use in the current atomizers is very porous and may absorb a large percentage of the IR, it may not be the most effective. I would like to shoot for close to 100% absorption, perhaps this could be overcome by using a specific shape like a cone to increase the absorption, kind of a "beam block".

Glass absorbs IR quite well...

There is the matter of safty concerns. Although this type of laser wouldn't require a high voltage power supply like a CO2 laser, and 1000mw isn't powerfull enough to cut steel, there is high probability of damage being cased if the beam was to intercept ones eye. It would basically cause an instant cateract to the front of your eye...

From Sam's Laser FAQ:
The beam is TOTALLY invisible. While the 10.6 um wavelength can't reach the back of the eye and the retina (unless the front part has been totally obliterated), the eye can still be permanently damaged since the transparent tissues like the cornea and lens are quite sensitive to increases in local temperature - and have limited or no ability to sense there is a problem until it is too late.

I'm willing to give it some more thoughtful consideration.

 

[SethG]

Using the formula: Power = E² / R (Voltage squared divided by Resistance equals Watts).

So a 510 atomizer from what people are saying the resistance should be will consume 3.9 watts = (3.7 volts)² / 3 ohms

However I just tested my atty at 1.7 ohms resistance, so my atty is consuming 8 watts of power. No wonder my battery life stinks! But the vapor is awesome!

I just tested a disposable "smoking everywhere" I just acquired at 2.45 ohms, so it's consuming 5.5 watts assuming the voltage is the same. I have no way of testing the voltage as the battery is an automatic.

I think the total power output of the laser should be 3 to 5 watts to be effective. Perhaps as little as 1 watt would work as a test...

Right now I'm not taking into consideration the the amps needed as I'm not certain as to the exact diode. The calculation for that is I = P / E (Amps = Watts divided by Voltage). This will be required for finding the correct way to supply power to the laser. An approximation is 3-5A at 1.8V.

Time for work, more later?

 

[jxmiller]

SethG, I thank you for your time and effort in this. I have seen people suggest Lasers before and it was seemingly in a joking manner. When I came across the website that has those diode arrays (very small ones I will add) I thought hmm maybe there is a possibility. multiple weak lasers focused in on a single point would heat up rapidly I thought.

I am glad to see someone running with this as a viable solution.

Safety first.

 

[BuzzKill]

Seth optical power is not the same as heat energy that the coil has , ( I dont know the math to compare them ) But if you watch a 1watt laser cutting things like paper you KNOW it will vaporize the PG IMO !

It is a matter of focus for the laser , the beam area is what matters the 1watt rating is the total optical power output , the more focused it is the higher the power density will be .

Take a look at this design it uses a glass bead to wick the PG ( this i just a thought at this time )

Seth see this Ebay item
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-5-808nm-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a0319fca3

 

[SethG]

Marlbuzz, I understand the concept of power density, much like using a magnifying glass to focus the suns light. Unfortunately not all lasers have low divergence, that is the beam will spread out. Most of the IR laser diodes I have seen on eBay look like they have high divergence, probably for use as YAG laser pumps for industrial purposes.

I sent one of the sellers a message asking if he had the manufacturer's data sheet or if the laser was coherent. He didn't know and offered me a discount, so I'm guessing not. I need to put a lot more research into this before I make a purchase.

As long as we are posting concept images, here is what I have come up with. I can't imagine any sane person who would point a high power laser at their face.... even if protected.This design also has the added safety feature that the laser will not function when the atomizer is removed from the battery.

 

[jxmiller]

Marlbuzz, I understand the concept of power density, much like using a magnifying glass to focus the suns light. Unfortunately not all lasers

I think a problem could the the lens accumulating vapor into droplets and messing up the focus.

 

[SethG]

I think a problem could the the lens accumulating vapor into droplets and messing up the focus.

Oh, this will definitely be a problem. Hopefully this will vape off if the laser is strong enough. Better for droplets to build up on a lens or a "window" than to build up on the front of the diode IMHO.

 

[BuzzKill]

Seth I had the same Idea for an interlock ( a MUST HAVE !!) with lasers , I dont know the specs on these diodes as far as focus goes ( most have a built in focal point/lenght ) we would need the MFG specs to know for sure.

The power at the lens should be enought to self clean ?? test test test . I have some bids in on Ebad for a set to test with ( I own a Fiber optics company and could possibly test some power densities at different distances ( meters might be to low power for that ? I will check )

ANyhow I think the idea has some merit to it IF it could be made to work ?

here is a similar device QPhotonics online store: Multimode laser diode, 1000mW @ 808nm

look at the divergence specs

 

[voltaire]

I was thinking about making a post about this very idea after seeing an ebay auction for a small and powerful laser after having read up on the ins/outs of attys. Didn't think anybody had considered it, heh, I shoulda known better. Anyway, I can't post links yet, but if your interested check out this ebay seller's auctions: pyrotronic

He's got some cool videos of them in action. And no, I'm not him, nor do I know him or have ever done any business with him.

 

[SethG]

The absorption rate through glass of the "near infrared" light we are looking into using should be low enough that optical type glass should be functional. This is good news, special types of (expensive) crystal may not have to be purchased to make this possible. I have to retract my statement that glass absorbs IR quite well, this is apparently only true of far infrared light. Far infrared being above 1300nm.

 

[BuzzKill]

It sounds like you know your stuff in this area Seth ! ( or you do good research ?? ) anyhow I am going to get some lasers to test this idea ( super duper Hi Tech PV DUDE ! )

Well mines a LASER !! lol it only cost $200

I love doing this stuff I am an inventor by trade so I get sucked inot these things , I;ll let you know when I win a laser bid .

 

[jxmiller]

what were you guys thinking would be a good material to hold the juice? I assume black works best for heat.. although I am unsure of infrared... I would still think something black would be best.

 

[BuzzKill]

We are thinking a glass/pyrex bead 2mm dia or so to wick the liquid and be the heating point ? this is ALL speculation !!!

testing is the only way to REALLY know what will work , glass may make the liquid just spread and run away ? it may need a porus material to hold it in place , maybe a ball of atomizer material ?? or steel wool or ??

any ideas SETH ??

 

[virtuetovice]

There's someone on YouTube who does a lot of home made laser stuff and he uses a 405nm laser in all of his projects. They are powerful enough to nearly instantly light a match. After looking into the site he suggests you get the diode from, I DID find the 808nm diode for $70, free shipping. They have driver circuits and all there.
1 watt 808nm laser diode 1000mW