Has anyone ever built their own laser?? I want to try to make one just for the hell of it, but I am not sure how to go about getting some of the materials needed such as a quartz window, glass tubing (could i replace this with plexiglas?), a dichroic mirror, and gasses such as helium, neon, or what ever works and is cheep!

I found these sites :

http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/lasercon.htm

 

http://www.edu.linkoping.se/bit2a/laser/homemade/CONSTRUC.htm

I know some people have has luck with N2 lasers.

 

It's basicly a calabrated sparkgap. You don't need any glass tubing, it uses regular N2 from the air, and it lazes in UV spectrum.

Nice links Jaques.

 

Cheers.

mmalluck that is awesome! Thanks!!

If any of you guys build a laser, post pictures... I will but I'm busy, I don't know when I will get time.

Why do you need a spark gap outisde of the plexiglass box??? http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/n21asm.gif

Thanks for the links. I dont think i am good enought to be able to make it my self but it would be pretty cool.