r/lasers

I’m currently building a compact Raman spectroscopy setup for biological/organic samples and looking for recommendations for a stable CW laser source around 785 nm, ideally somewhere in the 80–120 mW range with single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) operation.

Main priorities are: narrow linewidth / stable spectral profile with minimal mode hopping during longer acquisitions, low intensity noise and a compact footprint since the system is intended to be integrated rather than purely bench-top

At first I was leaning toward more traditional larger Raman laser heads, but I’m starting to wonder whether modern compact OEM-style modules have reached the point where they’re stable enough for demanding spectroscopy work without sacrificing spectral quality.

I’ve looked into ECDLs, volume holographic grating stabilized diodes, and compact DPSS systems, but I’m still trying to understand what people are actually using successfully in real-world Raman setups nowadays.

For those working in Raman, hyperspectral imaging, or biomedical spectroscopy:

what architecture ended up being the most reliable long-term?

Would appreciate any recommendations and lessons learned 😃

A coworker of mine was pointing a barcode scanner in my eyes last night, and since then my left eye has felt weird and I've notice weird blurriness when using both of my eyes, however it doesn't seem as severe when I close one eye and just use the other. Are these lasers even strong enough to do damage or am I just paranoid? For details, he was standing about a foot or two away, and I rubbed my eyes after exposure which in hindsight was probably a bad idea. I wear contacts so maybe that affected it, I'm not sure. Is there a good chance the laser damaged my eye(s)?

I need some googles and i dont want to risk cheaping out but i dont really know where to buy.
All stores i come across, also searched this subreddit, are stores in the US.

NL or close to NL would be ideal (for shipping costs), but if its just europe, that would also be great.

I got some powerfull +-450nm diodes but im not gonna touch those until i got some good goggles.

I’d like to burn some pests from a safe distance. Wasps nests and whatnot. Also lasers are just fun and I want to burn stuff at a distance at home. What handheld units do you guys like in the couple hundred dollar range?

Edit: and before I get reprimanded on safety, I’m looking at styropyro videos and comments for suggestions on the best safety goggles to get

I was in class and a kid was pointed a red laser at my face I lndirectly looked at the beam and then the laser went in my eye I quickly flinched and worried about my eye later my eyes felt a little irritated what do I do

Im still a tad confused about the diode packages. Searching "TO-..." in google gives me poor results because it means many things as a word lol.

Is TO-9 the most standard package for these diodes or do they vary quite a bit? i assume if they do vary, its per power level that low power ones might have smaller packages? Also does the number always just mean the diameter so a TO-5 should be 5mm?

Whats the best way to propperly mount and heatsink these? Once again, poor results make it hard to buy pre-made press-fit mounts.

I bought a green laser pointer on Amazon a while back. It was way more powerful than advertised. I discovered that it can pop a black balloon. I love this laser, and would love to show it off to my neices and nephew, but I am afraid of eye damage. I am planning to build a box that the laser is locked into, and you would have to put the balloon in the box with the laser. This would prevent anyone accidentally shining the laser into anyone's eyes directly, but I am worried about seeing the laser from the side. I would obviously be present the whole time, but it's quite bright, should I also get a laser shield for the box? Any idea what brand laser shield would be best for a green laser?

I had an idea and I would like your input on it since I am totally new to lasers.

I work in the shipping industry and there are a few locks we need to enter where we have 5 cm or about 2 inch on each side free board. This is perfectly manageable during day time but during the early and late hours in the winter it is an experience.

The ship is 40 meters long and my idea is to build an assembly with either class 2 or class 3r laser pointing straight down next to the wheel house and make a plane to the horizon in front ( following the side of the ship )

Essentially to have a vertical line that I can see of where the ship is going in a straight line ( about 50~100 meters in front of the ship)

Do you guys think this is feasible or unwise ?

Hey folks,

First off I don't know anything about lasers. My mom is having a hard time weeding her garden. She does not want to use chemicals. I saw a video of an agriculture experiment weeding large fields with the use of AI + lasers. Got me thinking

Can anybody recommend a handheld laser that she can use while wearing the proper PPE to burn weeds in her garden. We live in the USA.