Transformers made for powering large neon signs are inexpensive and very reliable. Most commonly, the secondary is center-tapped, which prevents the use of its full peak-to-peak output in applications where one of the terminals needs to be grounded. In the power supply described in this post, I took out the high-voltage transformer out of its metallic
d.i.y. CW CO2 Laser Power Meter Posted at www.prutchi.com
I just posted at www.prutchi.com the construction of a simple, but very useful laser power meter. I used it to tune my 18 W CO2 laser, but the concept is applicable to any other high-power CW laser. Click here for a direct link to the blog post.
