Re: Death of laser

[herbgottlieb@juno.com (Herbert H. Gottlieb)]

 "Yvon Jean" <phys@ntl.sympatico.ca> writes:
> Message en plusieurs parties et au format MIME.

> Today I was demonstrating Young's double slit experiment using an old 
> (26 yrs) He-Ne laser.  The laser stayed lit for about 15 min.
> One of the student exclaimed..."Sir, why is the pattern 
> getting dimmer with time ?"   The pattern  was definitely getting 
> dimmer and within a few minutes completely gone. 
> Is this the usual way for a laser to go ? 
Congratulations for having kept your HeNe laser going 
until the ripe old age of 26.  It is normal for a HeNe laser 
of that age to become dimmer and dimmer before it 
passes on to join its compatriots in laser heaven. 

There is a good chance that the electronic power supply is 
still functioning. If so, open the laser housing and replace the 
laser tube.  Hopefully it will be completely rejuvenated and 
last for another 26 years.

Herb Gottlieb from New York City
(Where old lasers never die... Like old soldiers,
they just fade away) 

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