IR filter for laser?

Question

I want to get an IR filter for my 5mw green laser pointer can you use http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7668543&st=IR+filter&lp=12&type=product&cp=1&id=1134701342695 this as an IR filter for your laser pointer and will it weaken the lasers visiblity. one more thing I heard there was a film IR filter you can make does that really work and does an IR filter protect your eyes

Answer 1

You have linked to a UV lens filter which is designed for a camera! How will you make it fit on your laser pointer.

And even if it did it would be absolutely POINTLESS on your laser POINTER! hahaha.

Lasers are just one type of coherent light - in your case green - thats the point of them (haha)! So you will be filtering out nothing as you're not shooting out either UV or IR EM raditaion just green light.

It won't protect your eyes. The laser light is high intensity that is the problem - but the risk is MINIMAL ANYWAY unless your doing something stupid and staring into it for hours on end!  

Hope that helps

Answer 2

Digi-Key (digikey.com) sells filters which fit over infrared LEDs and lasers to only let a certain range of wavelengths through. I guess you could cut and glue one of these to your device to get your experiment going.