How to Create a Laser Hologram
Holograms are widely popular in both the scientific and civilian crowds, and are believed to be the next logical (and awesome) step in visual entertainment. However, for right now the ability to create completely lifelike, three-dimensional moving pictures is still somewhat remote, although the film industry is making some significant advances.
With a few cheap laser pointers and some basic tools, you can create your own very simple holograms in your own home, according to DIY Holography.
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Things You'll Need
- Cheap 5 milliwatt (mW) laser pointers (at least 2)
- Clothes pins
- Small tabletop clamps (one per laser pointer)
Instructions
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Set up your clamps across a small area such as the surface of a table or work bench, at least two or three feet apart from each other. Clamp the laser pointers into the clamps with the activation button exposed at the top or sides of the pointer.
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Tamp down the activation button on each laser point with a clothes pin so that they will remain active independent of your participation. Do this only when you're ready to construct your hologram, so as not to waste power. You should also turn off enough lights that the laser beams are bright and clearly visible from every angle.
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Move each laser in its clamp until the beams cross. Once two beams have crossed in midair, the light particles will double in volume, causing a point of extra-brightness to appear at the junction. Congratulations, you have created your first laser hologram!
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Add more lasers to the array and cross the beams in different ways to create various shapes in the air above your lasers. Since the beam of a laser is so powerful, you can use it to cross several other beams simultaneously, allowing for more intricate patterns to be formed. The more time you spend practicing, the more complex holograms you will be able to make.
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Tips & Warnings
Laser beams, even the underpowered ones your cheap laser pointers will produce, can cause serious damage to the human eye. Wear appropriate eye protection and follow all safety precautions when experimenting with lasers.
