1. Corey Stevenson, UW-Madison
Laser Pointer Safety
8-Jun-18
Corey Stevenson, UW-Madison

2. Goal
The goal of this project is to test laser pointers and to develop a way to bring the laser pointers into compliance with their regulated power rating.
8-Jun-18

3. Data So Far Both Visible and IR Visible IR Pointer λ Power (mW)
Wavelength (nm)
630 #1
1.79
653.1
1.72
653
0.05
657.3
630 #2
1.07
645.0
1.00
644.7
0.03
652.5
532 #1
17.57
782.2
6.55
539
10.28
1026
532 #2
29.41
832.2
8.42
555
20.83
1032
532 #3
26.06
828.5
21.93
538
12.46
1002
405 #1
27.12
Too low
21.12
3.58
405 #2
24.02
18.40
7.32
8-Jun-18

4. Measuring Visible Power Meter “Hot Mirror” Laser Pointer Measuring IR
8-Jun-18
Modern Physics

5. Summary of Data Red laser pointers appear to be fine
Green laser pointers have large quantities
of both IR and visible components
Blue laser pointers have some IR, but the
main problem is the visible component
8-Jun-18
Modern Physics

6. Plans Trying a “blank” battery to reduce power
Test various materials for filtering IR
(rather than just an IR filter)
Testing with a DC power supply
8-Jun-18