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HeNe laser tube spes?

I just got a laser power meter and was measuring the output of some

20+year old HeNe laser tubes. These tubes were used in early 80's Pioneer laser disc players. The service manual for one of the players gives the spec on the tubes to be at 1mW at 633nm. I tested 3 tubes all after about 15 minutes of warm up and on one tube I get 1mW the other 1.2mW and one gives 0.8 mW, all using the same power supply. What would be considered too low for the out put on these tubes? Do these tubes normaly exceed the 1mW spec? If so, usualy by how much? Maybe Sam G. could give me an Idea?
Reply to
pr7820
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The spec is the minimum power after warmup during the life of the tube. A new or young tube may be 2X the rated power or even more.

So, if they are rated 1 mW, you should see 1 mW or more after warmup (at least 10 minutes). If you wait, I bet all your tubes are greater than 1 mW.

Often, you'll find that unless the tube is truly end-of-life, the mirror alignment has changed slightly due to thermal cycles and adjusting it will bring back the missing power.

Don't attempt this unless you have read the info in the Laser FAQ chapter on HeNe Laser Testing, Adjustment, Repair.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Mirror:

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Sam Goldwasser

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