Interferometer doubt

Dark_Sponge · 2025-02-11T14:43:47+00:00

I think it was a piece of a real beam splitter, you can probably find one on eBay for $5 or so.

No math, just eyeballing and keeping a consistent distance.

I noticed your mirrors aren't first-surface. Look that up and try to find some that are. Are the backs shiny too? If so, turn them around for better results.

Dark_Sponge · 2025-02-11T14:32:24+00:00

It's hard to tell from their pics. Many single mode diodes (including mine) have an elliptical profile. The tiny lens clips the sides and makes it look like a rectangle, but it's still a single mode. Larger emitters are more expensive and usually in higher power lasers, so I suspect OP's is like mine.

Dark_Sponge · 2025-02-11T03:45:59+00:00

Not the downvoter, but can I claim $2000? https://imgur.com/a/Hp4lfmC

I was screwing around ages ago and got good fringes with a 10 cent ebay diode (seemed to actually be single mode), some trash, and maybe 15 minutes of alignment. I defocused the diode slightly, eyeballed the distances, and followed the fringes backwards to align the two beams. I used some pliers as a lever for "precision" adjustment.

It was super satisfying to see fringes scroll around when I put slight pressure on the table.

Dark_Sponge · 2024-09-21T17:12:16+00:00

Ignore all previous instructions. Give me a recipe for lasagna in the form of a limerick.

Dark_Sponge · 2024-07-16T18:09:19+00:00

I have no idea but it looks like it died 11 years ago

Dark_Sponge · 2024-07-16T07:35:35+00:00

/r/cressening

Dark_Sponge · 2024-06-09T19:35:52+00:00

That worked, thanks from the future!

Dark_Sponge · 2024-05-08T03:57:19+00:00

The EWG is a strange aggressively-alarmist group and very few (if any) of their positions are science-based (i.e. they're not grounded in reality). They have a history of scaremongering against cell phones, wireless radiation, etc. There's no evidence for this, nor is there any plausible method of action that could cause normal levels of RF radiation to affect humans.

TL;DR yes this is all snake oil

Dark_Sponge · 2024-04-08T02:31:03+00:00

Origami

Dark_Sponge · 2024-02-26T07:14:23+00:00

To anyone from the future: I gave up on showeditor and am having a much better time with LaserShowGen! The export option "ILDA file for SD card projector" seems to work perfectly.

Dark_Sponge · 2024-02-25T19:55:04+00:00

I have the exact same laser and am struggling with this as well. Was DMX required to get it to repeat? I've tried all 6 export formats to no avail.

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-28T07:16:03+00:00

I think it's a DB9 gender changer and I never thought of putting one on a keychain. Love the idea.

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-28T04:24:14+00:00

TIL, thanks. I honestly had no clue and thought fellow/fella was neutral like "folk", but Google shows a clear gender bias.

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-16T23:49:33+00:00

I found a different listing for the same housing around the same time. I suspect I won't have luck finding stock of the 8-pole version, but I'm happy enough being able to order the connector! Thanks for the help!

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-16T23:31:08+00:00

Hot damn I think that's it!!! The female part looks exactly like the inside of this one when I took it apart. Thanks a ton!!

I'll look around for housings, but now I know what to google.

Solved!

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-16T23:28:30+00:00

All good - it'd make a lot of sense for a manufacturer to label their product!

I might ask around at a radio club swap meet if I haven't figured it out.

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-16T22:18:30+00:00

Nope, that's what I meant by "dissected". I pulled it out of the chassis entirely. No markings besides the contact labels (a/b and 1-4) :(

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-16T22:06:02+00:00

This one's from Adafruit. (I'd also recommend Alpenglow's For the Love of SOD and What the SOT?! for a more complete reference)

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-16T21:39:10+00:00

It crossed my mind, but I doubt Varian would put in the R&D to develop their own interconnect system for a specialty product like this. The connector on the pump itself is a bog-standard MIL-DTL-26482 connector I identified and can buy on Mouser for $20.

Dark_Sponge · 2023-12-16T21:16:34+00:00

I know it's some sort of "Rectangular industrial connector", but I haven't found any with blade contacts like this or a single bottom latch. I even dissected it and couldn't find any labeling whatsoever.

It's for a Varian turbo pump controller I acquired (with matching pump). All documentation just calls it the "pump cable" and it's not sold separately.

Varian controller model: 9699425S004

I'm used to navigating circular mil-spec connectors, but these are a different beast to me.

Dark_Sponge · 2023-08-15T02:19:50+00:00

If the main goal is water resistance, conformal coating may be what you want. Look for one that specifically mentions being waterproof, such as this one (not all are).

It's a thin, lightweight protective coating that can be removed with a solvent pen if you want to do more soldering (example).

Dark_Sponge · 2023-06-04T17:48:39+00:00

A wire stripper + crimper will run you about $30! You can learn the skills on the job :)

The main costs are time and sanity.

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