File:High Power Green Laser, Dark Background (2) (from Flickr).jpg

Another shot of my 450mW high-power green (532nm light wavelength) IR-DPSS-FD laser. Here, it's sitting on my rather dusty floor (as you can tell by looking at larger versions of the image; the laser scatter really brings out the dust) pointing towards me. My camera was mounted on a tripod and pointed down towards the laser (the laser itself shone through the legs of the tripod). Again, the laser beam is extremely visible due to Rayleigh scattering.

See also original shot of my green laser.

DANGER: The laser shown here is a class 3B laser device. Class 3B lasers are NOT laser pointers, and should never be used for that purpose. Despite the fact that I took the picture with the laser sitting on the floor of my room, and despite the fact that I seem to have fun when using my lasers (I do), I took proper safety precautions to ensure that myself and others do not get injured; for example, I wore ANSI Z87.1-standard green laser safety goggles at all times when the laser was operating.

In other words, unless you know what you're doing, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. You could inadvertently blind yourself or someone else. And, of course, high power laser devices should NEVER be pointed at other people, and lasers of any kind should NEVER be pointed at aircraft, especially those in flight. High-power lasers like this one should be treated with the same respect as you would treat a loaded gun.

Please be aware that high power laser devices may be restricted by laws in your area.

Note: Original image as displayed on Flickr contains in-image notes. View the image on Flickr to see them.