Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!ucsd!ucrmath!gumby
From: gumby@ucrmath.ucr.edu (john donahue)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Lasers
Message-ID: <9801@ucrmath.ucr.edu>
Date: 9 Nov 90 00:03:23 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of California, Riverside
Lines: 26

Hi all,

I was talking with my Dad about a device he wants to create that involves
lasers. They would have to be fairly small (running off AA batteries or
something like that -- it doesn't have to run for hours at a time), and
be "visible" so both the endpoint of the light *and* the "line of light"
can be seen.

Are such devices made? Can they be purchased through mail order or can you
go to some electronic store and pick them up these days? What do they
cost and what other variables are there to consider? We saw one in a
"Sharper Image" catalog, but it was too big, and they wanted something
like $250 for it -- but it was the closest thing we'd seen yet.

He's an electrical engineer and knows about some of this stuff, but
I'm pretty clueless (I'm just a computer geek at heart) and perhaps we
both could use a general introduction to how lasers work and what the
technology has to offer these days.

Any and all help is appreciated!

-- John
-- 
INET: gumby@ucrmath.ucr.edu
UUCP: {ucsd, uci, ucdavis}!ucrmath!gumby
"Consequences, schmonsequences, as long as I'm rich" -- Daffy Duck