Inexpensive and Readily-Available DIY Laser Dyes

My friend and fellow DC Dork, Jon Singer, does a lot of laser research and experimentation at the Joss Research Institute. This week, he sent me a link to a new article he’d posted, a report of his findings on lasing various fountain inks, invisible ink, “optical whitener,” and other readily-available materials, for creating DIY laser dyes.

The lovely green halo from the solution above resulted from lasing Noodler’s Baystate Cranberry ink, diluted with some Everclear alcohol. The halo is not visible to the naked eye and Jon’s not sure what causes it. He wonders if maybe there’s more than one fluorescent dye in the ink.

Inexpensive and Readily Available Laser Dyes for the Do-It-Yourselfer

More:

• DIY Flashlamp-pumped organic dye laser
• Homegrown laser crystals
• El cheapo mirror mounts