How can I enlarge the light produced by a laser?

[angela6884]

TL;DR Summary

I need to enlarge a laser for a science project. Please help!

I need to enlarge the light produced by a small laser beam that I have for a science project. I can't buy a larger laser because they're too expensive and not in the right color. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Replusz]

If you need more power you can try connecting it to a stronger power source - lifetime will decrease.
If you need a larger diameter you can use concave mirrors.

 

[DaveE]

Summary:: I need to enlarge a laser for a science project. Please help!

I need to enlarge the light produced by a small laser beam that I have for a science project. I can't buy a larger laser because they're too expensive and not in the right color. Any suggestions? Thanks!

If you mean more power, then you are kind of stuck. Each laser you buy is most likely operating at the highest power it is capable of. Even if you could increase it's power, which is almost always more difficult than connecting it to a "stronger" power source (whatever that means), you would greatly reduce it's lifetime.

If you mean you want a beam with a greater diameter, then that is much easier. What you need is some form of a telescope to expand the beam. This could be as simple as 2 lenses (a Galilean telescope). Search google for "laser beam expander" to get more ideas. if you have a fixed target distance, and you just want a larger spot, then a single lens will do.

Khanacademy has some good introductory videos about lenses, like this one: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/geometric-optics/lenses/v/multiple-lens-systems

 

[angela6884]

If you need more power you can try connecting it to a stronger power source - lifetime will decrease.
If you need a larger diameter you can use concave mirrors.

Oh thanks! Yes, I meant diameter. Sorry that I didnt state that in the beginning.

 

[angela6884]

If you mean more power, then you are kind of stuck. Each laser you buy is most likely operating at the highest power it is capable of. Even if you could increase it's power, which is almost always more difficult than connecting it to a "stronger" power source (whatever that means), you would greatly reduce it's lifetime.

If you mean you want a beam with a greater diameter, then that is much easier. What you need is some form of a telescope to expand the beam. This could be as simple as 2 lenses (a Galilean telescope). Search google for "laser beam expander" to get more ideas. if you have a fixed target distance, and you just want a larger spot, then a single lens will do.

Khanacademy has some good introductory videos about lenses, like this one: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/geometric-optics/lenses/v/multiple-lens-systems

Thanks! I'll definitely look into it more and thanks for the video!

 

[hutchphd]

Also Edmund Scientific on beam expanders.

 

[Tom.G]

You can use any telescope or one side of a binocular. Aim the Laser into the eyepiece and the expanded beam comes out of the objective lens. You will have to adjust the focus to get a parallel beam out.

Getting everything aligned and held in place is often the hard part. If beam quality is critical you can check the alignment by shining the Laser at a wall several feet away. Mark the spot on the wall, then without moving the Laser, mount your 'beam expander' and focus as needed. Then move and tilt the beam expander so the mark you made is in the center of the expanded beam.

Have Fun! And please let us know how the project turns out.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[davenn]

Also Edmund Scientific on beam expanders.

Have Fun! And please let us know how the project turns out.

in case you guys didnt notice, the OP has been banned and hasnt been active since 15th March 2021