Laser question

[hedons]

Hi,
I am a ME working on a toy design. I know next to nothing about lasers diodes.

Is there a laser diode of low enough power that it could be safely incorporated into a kids toy? (visible "dot" required. Or is all laser light potentially harmful to the retina?

Thanks!

[chroot]

Try a class II laser, < 1 mW output power.

http://electron9.phys.utk.edu/optics507/Laboratories/Laser%20Safety.htm

- Warren

[dlgoff]

Is there a laser diode of low enough power that it could be safely incorporated into a kids toy?
Does it have to be a laser? Could you just use a LED as the light source?

[hedons]

Originally posted by dlgoff
Does it have to be a laser? Could you just use a LED as the light source?

Hi Don,
I think it would have to be a laser as I need to reflect a narrow beam off several surfaces.

[dlgoff]

...I need to reflect a narrow beam off several surfaces.
Are you using it as "machine vision"? e.g. using it to locate where the toy is?

[hedons]

Originally posted by dlgoff
Are you using it as "machine vision"? e.g. using it to locate where the toy is?

Hi Don,
Without giving too much away...
I am using it to create a series of reflected visible beams as it passes through a suspended medium.

Thanks!

[dlgoff]

Originally posted by hedons
Hi Don,
Without giving too much away...
I am using it to create a series of reflected visible beams as it passes through a suspended medium.

Thanks!

Just curious. Does it have to be visible light or could it be infered?

Regards

[hedons]

It must be visible for the effect I am looking for.