Selection Guide

Lasers

To make the best informed choice, see the table below. It lists laser education applications and the best laser choice for a particular use. The top row lists all of our major laser product categories. In general, Helium-Neon (He-Ne) lasers are the preferred choice if you require long coherence length and wavelength stability for optical interformetric experiments. Diode lasers are the best choice for communications experiments.

Experiments/Model	IF-RL	IF-VL	IF-UL	IF-HN	IF-HNM*
Type	Diode	Diode	Diode	He-Ne	Helium-Neon Modulated
Refraction & Reflection	$	$$	$$	$	$$
Lens	$	$$	$$	$	$
Beam Convergence Divergence	$	$$	$$	$	$$
Diffraction	N/R	N/R	N/R	$	$$
Polarization	Linear polarization	Linear polarization	Linear polarization	Random polarization	Random polarization
Holography	N/R	N/R	N/R	$	$$
Perimeter Security	$	$$	$$	$**	$$**
Light Shows	$	$$	$$	$	$$
Voice Communications	$	N/R	$$ Most versatile	N/S	$
Baseband Video Transmission	N/S	$	N/S	N/S	N/S
RF Video Transmission	N/S	N/S	Best choice	N/S	N/S

$ Best laser value for the application
$$ Laser is well suited to application, but other, lower priced, alternatives exist
N/S Not suitable
N/R Not recommended for holography and diffraction experience
* HNM - HE-Ne Laser - Modulated
** The higher the laser's power, the quicker the exposure

Laser Receivers

Industrial Fiber Optics manufactures laser receivers specifically designed to decode information transmitted via laser beams, which then convert that information to electrical or audible forms. With so many lasers on the market today, determining which receiver one should purchase for a particular application can be frustrating. See the table below it lists the receiver applications and the best receiver choice for a particular use.

Application	Stock No.	Component Compatibility	Comments
Voice or Audio (only)	IF 513	Suitable for use with any diode or helium neon laser made by the following companies: Elanco, Fisher Scientific, Heath Kit, Industrial Fiber Optics (IFO), Meredith Instruments, Metrologic and Scientific Laser Connection (SLC).	Receiver only. Also sold as packages with microphones. See Laser Accessories section.
Speed of Light Measurement	IF LSL-SA1	For use with the IF VL series of diode lasers.	Receiver included in the Laser Speed of Light Kit (IF LSL-1). Also is a replacement for Metrologic Instruments' Laser Speed of Light/Audio Kit Part No. 45-720.
NTSC or Composite Video	IF VR	Can be used with any Industrial Fiber Optics or Scientific Laser Connection "Video Laser".	Used with RCA jacks on TVs and VCRs and receives on color video.
RF Video	IF VR2	For use with Industrial Fiber Optics WBS laser only (Part No. IF UL-08-635).	Used for reception of TV picture and sound over a single laser beam.