Laser Visuals Ltd - Laser Introduction

All laser systems irrespective of size or complexity, contain three main components: the laser, the scanning system and the controlling system.

THE LASER

The laser is the actual source of light for the system. The main property which separate a laser from other forms of light is it's ability to produce an intense, near parallel beam of light.

Different types of laser can produce virtually any colour in the spectrum.

Helium Neon Lasers	normally produce a RED light
Argon Ion Lasers	produce GREEN, CYAN and BLUE
Mixed Gas Lasers	can produce WHITE light
Diode Lasers	produce intense bright GREEN

The multiple colours on White Light and Argon Systems can be individually selected by introducing filters into the beam; for further information please visit our dpss v argon web page for details on brightness levels once you split out the filtered colours.

THE SCANNING SYSTEM

The Scanning System normally comprises of a selection of precision moving mirrors, which control the deflection of the Laser Beam. Two main kinds of effects are produced from the Scanning System:

SPATIALS	Spectacular Laser Beams cut and sweep through the air creating vivid sheets of laser light, tunnels, fans and beam zaps etc ..
LASER GRAPHICS	The path of the laser beam can be accurately plotted to draw complex graphics and text onto virtually any flat surface

Systems with Fibre Optic Beam Delivery allow the Scanning Systems to be mounted remotely from the laser.

THE CONTROL SYSTEM

Systems of varying complexity allow the operator to control the deflection of the laser beam via the Scanning System. There are two main categories of the Laser Control System:

LASER CONTROL DESKS	Self contained control panels allow the user easy access to a wide range of functions such as spatial pattern generation, colour change, lissajous effects and sound to light facilities
COMPUTER BASED LASER DISPLAY CONTROLLERS	Using a PC or Laptop as the host, Laser Visuals provide the software and interface required to create complex spatial and graphics routines. Images can be drawn on a PC screen then projected using the laser systems; Beam Sculptor 3D & Pangolin