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How to Build a High Powered Laser

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Last Updated: January 31, 2022

Want to learn how to build a simple but powerful laser with electronics you already have
in your house? We'll show you how to use parts from a desktop computer with a DVD
drive to create a fully-functioning red burning laser.

Steps

1 Lay the desktop computer on its side and open the cover; this should
be relatively easily done by unscrewing the screws running alongside
of the cover.

2 Remove the cover. Extract two of the main components, the PSU and the
DVD burner.
• The PSU should come right out, and the DVD burner might be anchored
down with two small screws. Undo those and it should come right out of
place.
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3 Extra the heat sinks. After extracting the first two main components, you
need to extract the heat sinks; they will easily pop out with no effort and are
usually located on the motherboard. The picture above is what the heat sinks
look like The second heat sink will be a smaller version of the one shown, it will
be placed directly on top of the motherboard, so when you open the computer
and take our components out will see a tiny heat sink sitting on top o what
looks like a giant microchip, just pull it out.

4 Open the DVD burner and extract the sled. After extracting the sled, you
will need to remove the laser diode located in the sled.
• The sled should be relatively easy to remove, as it is located on the upper

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face of the burner.

5 Unscrew the diode head Once you remove the sled, and file down the
soldered metal to make a smooth shape around the base. You should
end up with a lense diode that is captured in the picture above.Most DVD
burners will have the same set-up, however, if your burner is different, your
diode will still look like the one in the picture, if you need further guidance on
how to remove the diode refer to the following youtube video from user
"tingawinga5" :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndHKivuU7RQ

6 Press the laser diode into an AIXIS module. Those can be purchased on
eBay for around $3-8 each, and can be easily assembled and re-
assembled.

7 Ensure you've squeezed the diode into the module. Make sure that you
attach long wires into the diode following this schematic.
• Your positive IN will show a thick circle around the attachment point so will
your PD (unused). However, your negative will show a thinner circle around
its entry point, and they will be arranged in the same order as this
schematic. Solder your wires into the proper points and your end product
should look like figure two above.

8 Do not reverse the polarity. In this step, you will need to be very careful
as to not reverse the polarity when soldering wires; make sure you clearly
marked your (+) and (-) wires on your laser diode. Solder the positive output
wire to the 3 ohm resistor, then continue by soldering the second end of the
resistor to the output tongue of your lm 371 module(3). As for your diode's
negative wire, solder that directly into the ground tongue of your module(2) and
create a wire for running to a negative wire. From your input tongue on your
module(1), solder the positive running wire. When soldering it is suggested that
use a plastic card is used as a separator all between elements to avoid run off
of the liquid metal, if you are new to using a soldering iron, practice on some
spare wires first by following this video from youtube user "cold
restart":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfXXRfRIzYbr>

9 Drill a ½ inch hole horizontally into your heat sink. After that, clean the
whole form (all metal debris), and insert your laser diode assembly into it,
making sure the side with the lense sits flush against the edge of the heat sink.
After carefully positioning the diode assembly, use thermal glue to permanently

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affix it into place. Allow ample time for the finished product to dry. (During this
time you will start working on the PSU.)

10 Start working on the PSU.

• The PSU can be slightly tricky, break it down to the following steps:
• Clip off all of the white plastic wire connectors.
• Sort the wires by colors; this will make the job way easier.
• Find the black and green wires, clip them, and then tie them together
(make sure you cover the exposed area with electric tape)
• The yellow wire will be your (+), the red wire your (-).
• Solder the wires to your module wires as directed in step eight.
• You may want to glue the second heat sink to the module chip, since this
chip might get really hot.

11 Make sure all of your wire connections are properly insulated and
soldered, since we are working with a 110V power supply all naked
wires must be covered to make sure no exposed wires are rubbing on
each other.

12 Put on safety goggles. While wearing safety goggles, make sure that
the diode is facing a wall of a hard surface, and plug the PSU into a
power outlet. Turn on the power button and enjoy your new laser. #*The laser
can run for prolonged periods of time without getting hot since the heat sinks
will help dissipate the heat from both the diode and the module.

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Community Q&A

Question

What is the heat sink for?

Community Answer

The laser becomes very hot, and with electronics, heat is bad. With too much
heat, components wear out or fail completely.

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Question

What’s the most that this laser can burn?

Phoenix lasers
Community Answer

This is a 100mw laser diode, so it could light a match, burn the surface of
wood, and possibly cut electrical tape.

Question

How do this work?

Phoenix lasers
Community Answer

It works by using a driver to regulate the power coming from the laser, and
from there the power flows into the diode, lighting it up and producing a lot of
light, which can be focused into a single point. The heat sink is to make sure
that the diode does not overheat, but you still should not run it for a long time,
because it still heats up.

Question

Could I modify these plans to use a green laser diode from a laser pointer
with a wavelength of 532nm and a "maximum" output of 240mw (many
people have gotten higher power output with this model)?

Phoenix lasers
Community Answer

It is not really a modification, but yes you can. The first thing you need to do is
adjust the driver to your desired current. After that, you should connect the
driver to the diode, and last but not least, put the driver and diode in a module
and hook it up to a power source. Make sure you use eye protection.

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Question

Can the laser burn wood?

Phoenix lasers
Community Answer

It can burn the surface of wood if it is focused, but it will not burn through it.

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Tips

• If the diode does not fire, check to make sure it is not cracked.

• In case no light comes out, check your wiring make sure none of the (-) and (+)
terminals have been reversed.

• If the diode or drive start overheating, make sure they are properly tucked into
the heat sinks.

• if you see any smoke come out immediately disconnect the device form the
electricity, and allow time for it to cool off and all excess charges to bleed out
before examining it.

• Always use laser goggles! Don't go cheap on them. Lasers can easily cause
permanent damage to your eyes, even if you only look at the dot.

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Warnings

• Always wear eye protection while operating the laser.

• Make sure you perform the experiment in a controlled environment away from
all flammable materials.

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• Always make sure you have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit on hand.

• Make sure all of your electrical connections are proper and insulated to avoid
any electrical shock or fires.

• This laser will burn through surfaces, so avoid contact with humans, animals,
or flammable surfaces and materials.

• Do not perform this experiment unless and adult is present.

• Harm and damage can be done be or to anyone performing this experiment.

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Things You'll Need

A desktop computer equipped with a DVD R/RW drive out of which you will
extract:

PSU

DVD burner

Heat sinks (2)

An AIXIZ module

Soldering iron

Heat resistant thermal glue

Drill with ½ inch metal drill bit

LM37 drive with 3ohm resistor (can be bought on ebay for around 4 $ )

safety goggles

electric tape

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References

1. www.computerhope.com
2. www.wisegeek.com
3. www.loneoceans.com
4. laserpointerforums.com
5. hightechdealz.com
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