There’s clearly a demand for this sort of desktop laser, the simplicity of using a diode over a laser tube ... be piped out a nearby window, or connected directly to the optional air filter ...

Both laser diodes and LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are used for this purpose, but the laser diode generates a smaller beam that is easier to couple with the smaller core of singlemode fibers.

Check out the demo after the break. Looking for something to do with the leftover laser diodes from this project? Try making yourself a laser microscope.

The range includes three new 405-nm laser diodes, which offer 20 mW, 45 mW or 85 mW optical output power. Photonics Products claims this performance represents the highest power available in a ...

Could a practical green laser diode finally be within sight? The latest research looks optimistic. Researchers at the Japanese company Nichia have fabricated an InGaN semiconductor laser diode ...