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 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software » Les Hall's Projects including eChucK
Ray Gun Optics Experiments
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Inventor
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Joined: Oct 13, 2007
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Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 1:18 pm    Post subject: Ray Gun Optics Experiments
Subject description: That kooky Inventor is at it again!
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I dreamed me a dream, it was 18 years ago or thereabouts, and in this dream i built me a ray gun. It wasn't very bright, nor did it make a ray gun sound, but it did prove the concept that was percolating in my mind. Here's how it works:

Assumptions that may make ray gun optics possible
    we need not preserve the image of the source
    we can use distance to separate light at different angles


That and a handful of implementation details are what I have in mind to do this task. While I hope to succeed with these experiments, I will be happy regardless of their outcome as is the way with creating, as you know. So to the task at hand, a description of what I am specifically doing to test this concept will appear in the following posts.

This work is protected by the Creative Commons Share Alike License which is summarized on this web page:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Les

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Last edited by Inventor on Mon Nov 21, 2016 1:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Inventor
Stream Operator


Joined: Oct 13, 2007
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Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267

PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 1:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Now to describe the thoughts behind the implementation. In addition to the two assumptions, we have a design observation, which follows.

    Bright light sources are scattered by nature


If we want to make a laser pointer we use a laser LED as a point source and put a lens on it that is appropriately designed to change it from a point source to a beam (or parallel source in my amateur parlance).

If we want to make a solar cooker, we use a Fresnel lens to capture the sunlight which is very nearly parallel and convert it the other way into a point source.

So we know that we can convert from point to parallel and vice versa with conventional optics. We will use this information later.

Now back to the scattered bright sources. If you want to make a super bright light, you must use a distributed source. Examples include arc welders, LED arrays, chemical light sources, laser arrays (can anyone say "Death Star"? lol but for real!).

To make our ray gun, then, we must take a scattered source and convert it to a point or parallel source. Conventional optics can take it from there. The problem is that doing that job is not easy. Yet therein lies the fun!

More in the next post.

Les

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Inventor
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Joined: Oct 13, 2007
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Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Here are some photos of the test fixture and neutral "control" lens in place.

More details to follow.

Les


Ray GunOptics 3.JPG
 Description:
Ray Gun Optics Test Fixture without Test Lens
 Filesize:  2.11 MB
 Viewed:  520 Time(s)
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

Ray GunOptics 3.JPG



Ray Gun Optics 4.JPG
 Description:
Ray Gun Optics Test Fixture with Test Lens, side view
 Filesize:  1.88 MB
 Viewed:  478 Time(s)
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

Ray Gun Optics 4.JPG



Ray Gun Optics 1.JPG
 Description:
Ray Gun Optics Test Fixture with Lens, Top View
 Filesize:  2.01 MB
 Viewed:  526 Time(s)
This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

Ray Gun Optics 1.JPG



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Inventor
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

After quite a few failed prints, finally one that looks promising. It is very diffused and yet it does what I want it to do plus the diffusion. That is, if I understand what I want it to do!

Looking at left lens from the side you don't see much light intensity. Looking from the top and angles near the top you see more light. This is an indication that the lens is directing the sideways moving light in a more upward angle than their original travel would lead them. It will take measurements to record that though, as it could just be my wishful thinking.

I need to polish the lens using 400 grit down to 3000 grit to bring on the clarity. That will take a long time so wish me luck!

Les


Lens 1.jpg
 Description:
Lens in ColorFABB _HT unlit
 Filesize:  1.97 MB
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Lens 1.jpg



Lens 2.JPG
 Description:
Lens in ColorFABB _HT "enlightened"
 Filesize:  1.5 MB
 Viewed:  548 Time(s)
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Lens 2.JPG



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Adis



Joined: Apr 05, 2015
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Location: Bihać
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

It looks great!
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