The “Beam me up, Scottie” effect with an argon blue laser.
“Continue reading” for more details about argon laser galvanometers with 11 photos.
The beam is controlled by two galvanometers that rotate a mirror to an angle depending on applied voltage. Two galvanometers at right angles can control x and y axes. Applying low frequency AC will give various effects such as a circular beam if the x and y inputs are identical.
Above: The galvanometers set-up for the argon blue laser. The beam passes to the two galvanometer mirrors on to a mirror (first surface) and then out through a diffraction grating (15,000 lines per inch). This is only of interest with the argon blue laser as it is a multi-line laser with about 5 colours in one.
Above: The multi-line laser is resolved into its various green and blue components which were not visible otherwise.
Above: Complex Lissajous figures with the spectral components broken into multiple lines.
Above: The argon blue laser set-up outdoors with a fog generator.
Above: The digital camera doesn’t do justice to the violet and deep blue colours.
Above: Now this was really a WOW effect for me. This cone of laser light strikes swirling fog giving a stunning rotating light. You can see nothing beyond this and it is very disorienting. Then it starts to shrink and narrow as if you will be enveloped in this wormhole like tunnel. A real claustrophobic sensation.
Above: The rotating plane of fog lit by laser light gives lots of strange effects.
Related pages
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Galvanometers – Wikipedia
Lissajous figures – Wikipedia
Photo date: Aug 18, 2006