Blue LASERS

A blue LASER is a LASER which emits light at a wavelength of between 360 and 480 nanometers (nm). The light from "blue LASERS" of shorter wavelengths is sometimes violet (reddish-purple), a color for which the human eye has a very limited sensitivity. We have an excellent article on human eye spectrum sensitivity that you should read. If you want a BLUE (445nm) LASER, get one of the the Cobalt Series LASERS.

Commonly available blue portable LASERS are semiconductor Diode-Pumped Solid State (DPSS) LASER diodes based on gallium(III) nitride (violet color) or indium gallium nitride (they are often true-blue in color, but are able to produce other colors, as well). Both blue and violet LASERS can also be constructed using frequency-doubling of infrared LASER wavelengths from diode LASERS or DPSS LASERS.

Owners of these blue / violet DPSS Hand-Held LASERS may notice that when they point their LASER at a piece of white paper, the color of the dot seems to lighten and turn a brighter blue or even off-white. This color change is actually due to blue fluorescence from brightening (fluorescent) dyes added to make the paper look whiter in bright light. It is the same effect as one would achieve by exposing the paper to a black light (UV) lamp. The fact that all DPSS LASERS emit (at least some) Ultra-Violet radiation, may contribute to this effect.

Blue DPSS (Diode-Pumped Solid State) Hand-Held LASERS are more of a novelty item than a practical alternative to Direct Blue (445nm) or Green (532nm) DPSS LASERS. Blue DPSS LASERS are extremely inefficient as to the output power they produce relative to the power they consume from the batteries. With some "Blue-Ray" LASERS, the beam spot appears almost white. In order to achieve appreciable power output at the (409nm) "blue / violet" wavelength, a larger diode must be used because the power it must dissipate is almost 8 times that of a comparable green DPSS LASER. "Blue" DPSS LASERS are typically unsuitable for continuous output due to the power requirements and the need for additional heat-sinking. Physically, the optics ("guts") of these LASERS is much more complex than their Direct Blue (445nm) counterparts (such as the Cobalt Series). A DPSS Blue LASER is more intolerant of rough handling, and the cost is significantly higher than a green DPSS LASER of identical power. Since the human eye is less sensitive to this color (blue) than it is to green, the blue LASER's beam is not nearly as visible as a green LASER of identical power output. The Cobalt Series 445nm LASERS are so bright because of their very high output power. They are brighter than ANY Green LASER currently on the market, and are ruggedized and tolerant of abuse that would destroy a green or blue DPSS LASER.

Recent developments (early 2010) in LASER technology have made 445nm Direct Blue LASER diodes available in the commercial marketplace. These diodes eliminate the complex optics of DPSS devices by directly emitting a cool blue (445nm) LASER beam. These diodes were never intended for use as "LASER Pointer", as their power output considerably exceeds what is reasonably required for "pointer" applications.

However, it was soon learned that the visibility issue (due to insensitivity of the human eye to this wavelength) became moot at the power levels achieved (1,000 to 2,000mw) by these diodes, which is typically TEN to TWENTY TIMES the power of the average 100-milliwatt DPSS "LASER Pointer". Although the beam brightness (as perceived by the human eye) from the higher power blue devices now exceeds the green (532nm) units, this visibility is achieved by power emission levels orders of magnitude greater than a standard green LASER Pointer.

For those who are dissatisfied with the Arctic, or are looking for an "equivalent" LASER with a more reasonable form factor, the Cobalt 1000 is your baby. Adventurous souls who want to take LASER ownership to its utmost extreme, the Cobalt 2000 is the most powerful hand-held LASER on the market, bar none. A word of caution: THESE LASERS ARE NOT TOYS – and they are extremely dangerous if misused. These LASERS are the most powerful hand-held LASERS on the planet – they are orders of magnitude more powerful and consequently more inherently dangerous than even a 500mw Green LASER. Because these units require extreme vigilance and unfailing safety precautions when used, we advise our readers here never to use these devices where reflections of the beam are likely, in close quarters, or where there are observers without suitable eye protection . Please use EXTREME CAUTION when handling these devices.