Hello I have read a few books on holography and was hoping to take it up as a hobby but found it to be far too expensive. Laser pointer holography seems to be a much cheaper way of making holograms but I don't know exactly how to do it. Is the setup the same as for a HeNe laser or is it different? Thanx
Kristan - Wed, Apr 28, 99 08:16:57 PM
Hi Kristan and welcome to the forum.
Laser pointer holography basically relies on the small semiconductor laser that is found inside your pointer to replace the HeNe laser.
While you will find that most of your set-ups are the same as with a HeNe, there are a few additional factors that come into play, such as --
1. Your power source. Since the laser pointer runs off of batteries, and the age of the batteries determine the output power of your pointer, you may find that you'll have to adjust your exposure times somewhat as your batteres get used up.
2. Some people find the elliptical beam a little hard to work with at first, but manage to do a fine job quickly.
3. You're limited with power more than with a HeNe, as pointers are ClassIIIa lasers and must not exceed 5mW of power output. The flip side is that they seem to be very, very stable and I've managed to create a nice, bright 8 x 10 reflection hologram using mine.
4. And probably a few more things that I'm forgetting that someone may log on and think of.
But, overall, you'll find it very easy to work with your pointer and you'll be able to create very nice holograms with it.
I suggest you browse around the forum and also visit my laser pointer pages here, along with Steve Michael's site here for more information.
As of 4/28/99, I am not aware of any other laser pointer holography pages on the web, although I'm sure they're on their way.
Good Luck.
Frank DeFreitas 207.16.159.183
eileen - Tue, Mar 20, 01 09:06:19 AM
Is there any way you could have a still or moving image appear on the same angle as the laser beam, meaning if laser is horisontaly pointing so is the image,flat in a way, anybdy know please? email: ebnefsi@email.com 144.82.100.120
Lance - Fri, Jun 15, 01 11:11:07 PM
Is it possible to use a laser diode from a cd player or a supermarket scanner?? 64.165.151.7
Colin - Mon, Jun 25, 01 08:44:38 AM
A CD player is usually an infrared diode as not easily suitable. Some supermarket scanners use a HeNe laser and I know of someone who uses one. The newer scanners use a diode and perhaps they would be suitable. You would have to get one and measure the coherence length and polorization. 64.167.148.188