|
EFFECTS
| Some of the terminology used in
laser displays is quite technical and can be confusing. Here is an
explanation of some of the basics:
|
Laser:
"Laser" is an acronym
derived from "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation".
A laser is a device which produces a coherent
beam of light. The beam remains almost parallel for long distances and
contains one or more extremely pure colours - Millions of colours can be
synthesised by mixing the pure colours together in a full colour laser
system.
Light show lasers are usually gas-filled tubes using high voltage
current to ionise the gas (cause the gas to glow). Mirrors at each end
of the tube help amplify a process called "stimulated
emission". Most of the stimulated emission light travels between
the two mirrors; between 1% and 4% comes out of one of the mirrors to
create the beam of light that we see. Gas lasers usually require high voltages and water cooling thus are complex
to operate and maintain, and take a great deal of time and
effort to set-up.
Interior of an Ion (gas) laser
The new generating of solid state DPSS
lasers are small, efficient and very reliable. They are
air-cooled and run from a regular wall outlet. The most
common type is the 532 nm DPSS laser that produce a bright lime
green which has the advantage of being 3.5 times as bright to the
eye as the same power of argon laser. Thus a 250 mW DPSS
532 laser can appear as bright as the typical 1 watt argon laser
system.
Laser F/X uses a DPSS laser for our touring system so as to
provide a high apparent brightness show from a reliable solid
state laser
that runs off a wall outlet anywhere in the world. |
|
| Diffraction
grating: A material containing microscopic
lines (gratings) that breaks up light passing through it. They are
used with lasers to create special beam or graphic effects.
The SpecScanDPSS-Pro projector
can produce 4 different grating effects which can be rotated
forward and reverse at variable speeds. The
two most popular types that we use are the Wide Fan grating
[picture above with a colour laser], which produces a flat ceiling of thousands of
laser beamlets; and the Burst grating with produces a
three dimensional burst of thousands of laser beamlets. |
|
 |
Scanning
System: The scanning system consist of a
pair if very tiny but precise mirrors driven by special servo
controlled amplifiers. This allows the mirrors to accurately
deflect and position the laser beam.
When driven by the control
system and graphics computer, they can produce sheets [see picture
on left], cones, tunnels, blades and fans of light. The scanning
system also draws the complex 2D and 3D images for laser graphics
and animations. |
|
Laser
Graphics: Graphics are words and logos,
like your event or production company logo, that are projected
using the laser system. The graphic is digitized in advance into a
computer and stored like a hi-tech connect-the-dots drawing. When
t is played back at the show, the points are output at such a high
speed that the eye sees an image like the one in the photo on the
right.
Graphics can be displayed with added effects such as
rotations and modulation. Graphics help to personalize and
customise your event and can be used to promote your image or
advertise sponsors to the audience. |
 |
|
 |
Laser Animations:
Laser animations are done in the same way as cartoons on TV. A
number of individual drawings are digitized and then played back
in sequence at speeds between 15 and 25 FPS (Frames Per Second) to make a character move,
walk or dance.
Laser F/X has a
library of thousands of frames of laser animations and is a
supplier of quality animations to other laser companies
world-wide. Our AWARD WINNING work can be seen at clubs and other venues
around the world.
NOTE: The sample
animations on our site are animated .gif files and thus are not
a realistic indication of image quality or speed of movement in
the actual laser animations. |
|
| Text messaging:
Allows you to type in short messages to be projected by the laser
system like an LED signboard - ideal for promoting your next
party or announcing the names of DJ’s. |
|
Hazer:
A Hazer is a s special kind of smoke machine that produces a fine
haze with long ‘hang time’ that is ideal for laser shows. The
hazer uses CO2 to force the fluid through the machine at high
pressures and thus create a very fine haze than hangs in the air
long after the larger smoke particles produced by the typical
smoke machine have fallen to the floor.
Laser F/X provides an MDG MAX3000 hazer with our shows for the
ideal haze to make the show look spectacular.
|
 |
|
 |
Safety:
All of our laserists operate the shows within international safety
guidelines.
Static beams must remain separated 3 meters vertically
from the dancers. Audience scanning effects are carefully
controlled so as to project only safe levels of laser onto the
dancers. |
|
| You can read a very
detailed glossary of
laser light show terminology on our main web site at http://www.laserfx.com/Science/Science3.html
|
^
Back to Top
HOME
*
EFFECTS
*
SYSTEMS *
GALLERY *
BOOKING *
ABOUT US
* RESOURCES
* SALES
When
you need a thrilling visual experience, call Laser F/X
905.523.7669
Laser F/X
International, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
© 1997-2003
Laser F/X International 905.523.7669 - All rights reserved.
Logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners
- used by permission.
|
