Before I get to that, an update on the formula that I said I calculated in my previous post. My teachers, and Jarrel suspects that there's some wrong stuff with it, and so I have left them my calculations to check through. At first sight, there seems to be nothing wrong, and till now, nothing wrong (apart from the fact that it seems wrong, because it proves that the formula we've been taught is 50% of the actual answer) Oh well, just wait for Monday I guess.
Anyway, yeap, I have finally managed to get out all that stupid solder that was stuck between the pins of my laser diode I ripped out from an 18x DVD-RW drive.
I had started this DIY laser project during the November hols, but then ran into some trouble with the diode, schoolwork, etc, and hence waited till now. The red laser is supposed to be capable of 200mW of power when done properly (i.e. heatsink and proper current regulating circuit) To give some of you an idea how much this is, take a normal laser pointer and point it at a piece of white paper. Look at the dot. It's small, nice, and clearly noticable. Now, take one of these that I'm trying to make and point it at the same paper. 2 seconds later look at something else. See that the dot has stayed in your eye? Now look back at the paper and notice that it has started to smoke? Ok, time to turn it off before your desk or something else starts burning too... It's basically similar to the dot that you get when you use a magnifying glass to focus the beam of the sun on to a paper. It is AS BRIGHT as that! Btw, your typical laser pointer is less than 5mW, and most are 1mW.
Making a laser of course is tricky business. Them diodes are really sensitive to current and heat. You can't just hook em to a battery (or a few) and turn it on. The laser will fry itself. A current regulating circuit is required! Thankfully, I have an interest and little hobby in electronics, so that wasn't too much of a problem.
I dunno what's so nice about a strong laser that can burn stuff and make other people go like, "HOLY SHIT!" with their eyes wide open, but I like that, and maybe some of you might like it too. Let me know if you do, I can guide you to making one.
But anyway, I'm looking forward to machining a heatsink for the laser when there's a nice break or so. Should be finished by end of this year, if not mid year.