November 7, 2007 4:26 AM PST
Forget videos--get Blu-ray in a laser pointer
(Credit: Wicked Lasers)No matter what happens in the raging format wars, Blu-ray may always have an exit strategy--in laser pointers, if not videos.
The "Sonar Series" of pointers from Wicked Lasers actually uses Blu-ray technology (blue laser diodes) in its beams, which are so intense that they approach infrared waves, according to BornRich. The result is a "supernatural fluorescent effect" emitted from its aircraft-grade aluminum casing, the company claims.
Unfortunately for consumers, the price is equally paranormal at $2,000. Maybe you can find a used one at a roadside stand near Roswell.
E = hc/lambda
Infrared light has 750-1000 nm wavelengths. These lasers appear to be nearly ultra-violet radiation, which has wavelengths smaller and thus more energetic than the visible spectrum. This laser is emitting light at 405nm, which is at the far end of the visible color violet and nearly ultra-violet.
The visible spectrum is from ~400nm (violet) -> 700 nm (red).