PWJ43 - Argon Laser tube teardown

2.5W/15kW Argon Laser teardown and explanation. Tube came from Coherent Novus 2000 medical laser system.
BTW: The vacuum seals of the mirror assy are most likely made of Indium, a very soft and low melting metal that is also used for soldering.

[cambridgemart]

The three rods that form the resonator frame are Invar, it's a very low coefficient of thermal expansion metal commonly used in gas lasers as it helps prevent the cavity alignment being lost as the temperature changes.

[jochenblacha]

Well, this teardown was more elaborate, and satisfying to watch, than the one Tesla500 (YouTuber) did a little while ago (spoiler: he actually re-used the radiator and fan of the water-cooling loop for his water-cooled "Watts beyond sanity" LED light project).

Thanks for the videos on this device, this was a welcome change from the "big irons" (though it is always fun to watch you tear down the mainframes) and not less impressive in terms of technology that goes into building such things.

[ismaelenriquecassi]

Hello!...
Nice video!
Just a simple question... Do you have the Coherent Novus 2000 laser service manual?
If so, would you, please, share it with me?
Thanks!

[douro]

Older laser barcode scanners (before diodes became common) have a tiny HeNe laser in them only five inches long with an output of 1mW. Metrologic was the most common manufaturer of these smaller HeNe lasers.

[scabskunk]

I think i remember reading somewhere that the tubes at the end of the reservoir are glass recharge tubes. If the laser does not have enough gas to ignite then you could crack one of the tubes and release gas back into the system. Would be interesting if you could crack open the reservoir near the end and see if there is glass tubes in there.

[zaprodk]

The seals on the mirror bellows are probably indium.

[Tangobaldy]

I like it when you use hammer an screwdriver, to then gently remove he brass ring

[PicaDelphon]

the plastic around the gas metal tube is for arc protection the gas flow is conductive and when, and the vacuum becomes expanded under high current..

[DMahalko]

36:10, well what do you know, it's a Ledex rotary solenoid. found one finally. Though this company hacked it from advancing a rotary contact switch, into another 2-position rotary application. The opposite side at 36:33 has two metal studs sized to align with the mounting holes on rotary contact switch circuit boards.

[chrisridesbicycles]

Interesting how many mechanical parts are in there.

[thcoura]

why they need to refill the Argon gas?

[dusterdude]

I'm not sure but I think Beryllium Oxide may also be used in Magnatron tubes for microwave ovens, I have been told you can take them apart only so fare due to this hazard.
Thank you for the fascinating Video! I really enjoyed watching you explore. and felt like I was right there beside you sharing the experience. :)

[steveroberts]

Innova series tubes are Copper Disk with Tungsten Disk / Aluminum Oxide based, not BeO, trust me on that, I've repumped many of them.

[Spirit]

That's several thousand dollars of just beryllium oxide right there, even in reclaimed form.
Oh, and - it's not a certainty that you will get lung cancer, but berylliosis is a lot worse than lung cancer in terms of pain and suffering, and that IS a certainty.

[Talent]

if you still have these lasers i can buy it ?

[videoucet]

Rub out that inscription and give this beryllium oxide tube to "Whats inside" guys like a gift.

[saschaHAsstMenschen]

Daraus lässt sich bestimmt ein Laserschwert bauen. Jetzt muss ich nur noch jemanden finden der ein mobiles AKW für mich baut. 😉