Best laser pointer for optics lab?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying suitable laser pointers for use in an optics lab, particularly for educational experiments involving lenses. Participants are seeking recommendations for reliable brands that ensure safety and functionality, while expressing concerns about the quality of available products, especially those from less reputable sources.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is looking for a laser pointer with a real safety class, mentioning a specific product found online and asking for other brand recommendations suitable for educational purposes.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the lack of responses and suggests rewording the original post for clarity.
  • A later reply questions the specifics needed for the laser pointer, such as wavelength and power, and discusses the importance of safety classifications, suggesting class 1 or 2 lasers for educational use.
  • This reply also notes that many lasers used in physics experiments are not typical laser pointers and emphasizes the need for proper safety behavior around lasers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for safety in laser pointers and the desire for reputable brands, but there is no consensus on specific product recommendations or the exact requirements for the lasers needed.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not defined specific requirements such as wavelength or power, which may affect their recommendations. The discussion also highlights the importance of safety features, particularly regarding the presence of filters in green lasers.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals involved in educational optics experiments, educators seeking safe lab equipment, and those interested in reliable laser pointer brands.

Dorea
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
I'm serching around the web to find the best laser poiter (with real safety class). the below one is the only thing that I could find:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NQCF35G/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Do you know any other brands suitable for educational goals? we need to use laser pointer for some experiments such as lenses experiment. Lasers should have on-off button, safe ray and magnet.

(There's many chinese products that I can't trust them!)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Science news on Phys.org
Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 
I'm searching for a well-known brand for safe laser pointer. Internet is full of chinese products! I thought maybe someone knows a good brand in his/her country.
 
Well, this is kind of a big question. Maybe you'll get some more help if you be more specific. What kind wavelength do you require? What kind of power?

"Safe" in terms of lasers is an interesting term. You'll probably want something in the visible wavelengths, with power low enough that the blink reflex will save you - so class 1 or 2. However, nothing can make up for proper safe behaviour around lasers.

If you buy a green laser, make sure it has the appropriate filter on it - green lasers are made by frequency doubling an IR laser, and really cheap laser pointers will tend to leave out the filter to remove the IR part.

Most lasers used in physics experiments aren't laser pointers.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
9K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
16K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K