Question about solar interference on laser tag guns

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the performance of laser tag guns in outdoor settings, particularly concerning solar interference and the potential advantages of different laser wavelengths, such as blue versus infrared. Participants explore the mechanics of laser tag technology and the effects of atmospheric conditions on laser visibility.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that laser tag guns likely use infrared lasers, questioning how well they function despite solar interference.
  • Another participant argues that the majority of blue light from the Sun reaches the Earth's surface and suggests that switching from infrared to visible light may not significantly improve performance due to the Sun's higher output in the visible range.
  • A different participant proposes that laser tag sensors might only respond to coherent light.
  • It is mentioned that laser tag guns typically use infrared LEDs modulated with a specific carrier wave, which may not be sensitive to the IR wavelength.
  • One participant inquires about wavelengths of light that come less powerfully from cosmic sources, prompting further clarification on the comparison being made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of blue lasers compared to infrared lasers in outdoor settings, and there is no consensus on the impact of solar interference on laser tag performance.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of light scattering and the specific mechanics of laser tag technology remain unresolved. The discussion does not clarify the exact relationship between different wavelengths and their effectiveness in outdoor environments.

Brainguy
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So my brother had a birthday party the other day where this company that rents laser tag guns comes over and all his friends played a big game of laser tag outside. the guns worked surprisingly well, and there was even a "grenade" that would shoot lasers out in all directions once a pin was pulled. They were most likely IR lasers since I could not see a little dot on my hand when I shot myself, but the question is: I was surprised by how well the guns worked, despite solar interference; and I didn't know why so naturally I had to learn. Also, on a rant, would a "blue-ray laser gun" (blue laser) work better outside than a normal red or IR one? Because based on what science teacher said, blue light gets caught up in the atmosphere (turning it blue) and never makes it to earth, so my idea was that since there is no alien blue light coming to interfere, the game would work much smoother. Or am I getting this all wrong and red light DOES interfere with blue light. (actually, red and blue make purple...) ughh.. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. Ill post now to get answers more quickly.
 
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The majority of blue light from the Sun reaches the surface of the Earth without scattering in the atmosphere. I don't think moving the laser from IR to visible would accomplish much, as the Sun's output is higher in the visible range than in the IR range. However I am not familiar with the workings of laser guns, so I could be wrong.
 
It is possible that the Laser Tag sensors respond to coherent light only.
 
Laser Tags guns do not use a laser for the actual tagging, but an infrared LED with a lens to focus the beam. The infrared is modulated with a 57.6 KHz carrier wave. The receiver detects this 57.6 KHz signal and isn't very sensitive to the IR wavelength.
This works the same as Tv-remotes, only those have less power and the beams spread out more.

see http://membres.multimania.fr/ormeralion/Fichiers/ctii.pdf

esp. page 31: Infrared emitters and their driver circuitry
 
Hmm, ok. Is there a wavelength of light that comes less powerfully from the cosmos?
 
Brainguy said:
Hmm, ok. Is there a wavelength of light that comes less powerfully from the cosmos?

I'm not sure what you are asking. Less powerfully than what?
 

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