25-45mW GREEN LASER MODULE

25-45mW Green Laser Module, retail $250 (www.wickedlasers.com)
Manufactured by Leadlight, modified by Wicked Lasers (www.wickedlasers.com)
Last updated 09-15-10




(In reference to the envelope I received from Wicked Lasers around noon PDT on 08-19-04):
{sung like the Foreigner song "Feels Like the First Time"}
Feels like a flaaaaaash-liiiight...feels like a FL

BREAK IN 24576
READY.
CONT

?OUT OF DATA ERROR IN 32768
READY.
Let's try that again...as soon as I saw the address on the package, I *knew* it wasn't a flashlight...

Feels like a laaaaaa-sssser...feels like a LAAAAA-aaaaa-ssser!!!
Feels like a laaaaaa-sssser...feels like a LAAAAA-aaaaa-ssser!!!
This is a green DPSS (diode pumped solid state) Leadlight brand laser module that's been modified from 5mW to 25-45mW (this particular unit comes in at 32.7mW). It comes in a handsome black aluminum presentation case, and includes the two AAA cells it feeds from.


SIZE



If necessary, feed the laser module the included batteries (see below), and then you'll be ready to rock. Mine came with the batteries already installed; but that doesn't mean yours will too. It might, but no guarantees here.

To use the laser module, just aim it at something you wish to point out, and press & hold down the button on the barrel for as long as you need the laser spot. Release the button to turn the laser module back off. Yes, it really is as easy as that.

The laser module comes with a pocket clip, already attached. You know what it's for.
If not, slip the laser module into a shirt or pants pocket, and slide the clip over the outside of the fabric of the pocket when the module is being inserted into the pocket.

The laser module also comes with a hinge-lidded aluminum presentation case with foam cutouts for the module and a set of batteries. You may store the module in this case if desired.



To change the batteries in your green laser module, unscrew and remove the tailcap, dash it to the ground, and stomp on it with spiked golf shoes...O WAIT!!! YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! So just set it aside instead. ;-)

Tip the two used AAA cells out of the barrel and into your hand, and dispose of, recycle, or recharge them as you see fit.

Insert two new AAA cells into the barrel, flat-end (-) negative first. This is the opposite of how batteries are installed in most flashlights, so please pay attention to polarity here.

Screw the tailcap back on, and be done with it.
Aren't you glad you didn't stomp on that tailcap now? ;-)

Current usage measures 323mA on the included Energizer Titanium E2 cells.



This is a laser module, not a flashlight. So I won't throw it against the wall, stomp on it, try to drown it in the toilet bowl, run over it, swing it against a steel rod, or inflict upon it punishments that flashlights may have inflicted upon them. So this section of the laser's page will seem a bit more bare than this section of the page on a page about a flashlight.

Green diode lasers are a lot different than those common red lasers you see all the time.

In a 640nm red laser module, there's a red-emitting diode and a lens to collimate (focus) the beam.

In a 532nm green laser (module or larger size), there's a BIG infrared laser diode that generates laser light at 808nm, this is fired into a crystal containing the rare-earth element "neodymium". This crystal takes the 808nm infrared light and lases at 1064nm (yes, deeper in the infrared!). This 1064nm laser light comes out of the NdYV04 (neodymium yttrium vanadium oxide) crystal and is then shot into a second crystal (containing potassium, titanium, & phosphorus, usually called KTP) that doubles the frequency to 532nm - the bright green color you see. This light is then collimated (focused) by a lens and emerges out the laser's "business end". Just before the lens, there's a filter that removes any stray IR (infrared) rays from the pump diode and the neodymium crystal. You don't want that stuff in your green beam, trust me. :-)

This is why green diode lasers are so much more expensive than red ones. Lots of itty bitty parts, and they all need to be aligned by hand. If the polarisation is "off", one or both crystals need to be turned. With red diode lasers, you just slap in the diode and slap a lens in front of it.

VERY IMPORTANT!!! This laser was originally designed, and is labelled to, output less than 5mW.
Output power was increased to well over 30mW by Wicked Lasers. This is NOT a toy, and you MUST NOT shine it into your eyes, other people's eyes, pets' eyes, for that matter, the eyes of any person or animal you encounter. Eye damage can occur faster than the blink reflex can protect them, regardless of what species' eyes you irradiate with this laser. So just don't do it.
This is a CDRH Class IIIB laser device. Treat it with respect, and it'll treat you with respect.

This laser is not water-resistant, so please be extra careful when using it around sinks, tubs, toilets, fishtanks, pet water bowls, or other places where water or water-like liquids might be found. And you'll probably want to cover it up or otherwise get rid of it (such as by putting it in a pocket or bag) if you need to carry it in rainy or snowy weather.

Since this is a high powered laser module, I would recommend a duty cycle of no longer than 50%. That is, one minute on, and at least one minute off to allow the "guts" inside to cool down. This is not stated anywhere on the packaging or on the website, but is my own recommendation.



Beam photo at ~12".
Beam is not white like this photograph makes it appear.

Beam is also a lot smaller than it appears; the
beam image bloomed significantly when photographed.



Beam photo at ~15'.
Beam is not white like this photograph makes it appear.

Beam is significantly smaller than it appears;
the beam image also bloomed when photographed.



Beam photo on a structure at ~55'.
It's that green dot just slightly to the lower left center on that slanted square.
The albedo of this target is approximately 0.80 to 0.85.
Taken while the sun was still up (7:30pm PDT 08-19-04).



Beam photo on a structure at approximately 0.8 mile (1.2 kilometres).
It's that green dot on the upper, windowless portion of the target building.
The albedo of this target is approximately 0.50 to 0.55.

Sunset in Seattle on 08-19-04 when this photograph was taken was 8:13pm PDT.
The photograph was taken at approximately 8:16pm PDT.



Photograph of the laser's beam in a dark bathroom, with the laser directed at a matte black surface.
The albedo of this target is probably below 0.05.
The target surface was approximately 6' away.


Spectrographic analysis
Spectrographic analysis of this laser.


Spectrographic analysis
Spectrographic analysis of this laser; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 800nm and 820nm in a futile attempt to capture the 808nm laser line from the pump diode.

USB2000 spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.


ProMetric analysis
Beam cross-sectional analysis.
Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was sent by C.T. of www.wickedlasers.com on 08-16-04, and was received on 08-19-04.

Measured 32.7 milliwatts on my unbelievably crude TDC Mark 7 Laser Power Metering Apparatus, consisting of a monocrystalline silicon solar cell (the type with the matte finish), a DMM (Digital Multi Meter), and a mathematical formula that takes into account the solar cell's response curve and the laser wavelength when you add the meter reading to it.

This is well within the 25-45mW specifications; no worries there.

The written number on the box indicates this laser outputs 40mW; the laser power meter used by Wicked Lasers is probably a bit more professional than mine.
So my power reading could very well be incorrect.

To measure laser power, I'm using a monocrystalline silicon solar cell, connected to a DMM on the 400mA scale. I shoot the laser at the solar cell, observe the DMM, and note its highest reading (waving the laser around on the solar cell).
Then I apply the following mathematical formula:
(current in amps as shown on meter display)*1239.7/532/0.97
The resulting value is the laser's output power in watts.

* Legal Notice: * This green laser module and others like it are designated solely as OEM components for incorporation into the customer's end products. Therefore, they do not comply with the appropriate requirements of FDA 21CFR, section 1040.10 and 1040.11 for complete laser products. The customer is responsible for compliance with FDA requirements.


UPDATE: 08-23-04
Using known-new Energizer Max alkaline cells, I obtained a reading of 35.79mW from this laser, using the same apparatus and mathematical formula I described earlier.


UPDATE: 06-30-05
Using a laser power meter built specifically for that purpose, I obtained a power reading of 39.0819mW.


UPDATE: 09-15-10
I have given this laser to a very close friend for his birthday; therefore, the dreadful "" icon will appear appended to its listings on this website, denoting the fact that I no longer have it handy for future analyses or comparisons.

He was informed going in that this laser is used and not new, so he won't be caught with his pants down later on.





PROS:
Very bright green laser beam.
More powerful than most other "pointer" style lasers.
Nice looking black and gold case.
Feels good in the hand; is also rather hefty.
Lower current draw per mW output than other high-powered green laser modules I've evaluated.
No beam artifacts - none that I've been able to detect anyway.
Uses batteries that are relatively inexpensive and readily available.


CONS:
Not waterproof or submersible - but most modules aren't. Will not figure into my rating.
Consumes a lot of power, so you'll be going through batteries if you use it a lot.
Can't use it in public without a variance.
More delicate than directly-injected diode laser modules/pointers.


    MANUFACTURER: Leadlight
    PRODUCT TYPE: Pen style laser module
    LAMP TYPE: DPSS diode laser/NdYVO4/KTP crystals
    No. OF LAMPS: 1
    BEAM TYPE: Very narrow; it's a laser, remember? ;-)
    SWITCH TYPE: Pushbutton momentary on/off on barrel
    BEZEL: Metal; has aperture (hole) for laser beam to emerge
    BATTERY: 2x AAA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 323mA
    WATER RESISTANT: No
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: Presentation case, two Energizer E2 AAA cells
    COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: Unknown; but probably China
    WARRANTY: 90 days

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





Wicked Lasers 25-45mW Green Laser Module * www.wickedlasers.com






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