File:High Power Red Laser (from Flickr).jpg

A picture of my powered on 300mW 650nm (+- 10nm) direct-diode laser. Although not as spectacular as the green laser (red lasers don't experience Rayleigh scattering like green lasers do), one difference between this shot and the shot of the green laser linked to above is that in the green laser shot I used a red light in the background to provide a contrasting red ambient light to the green laser. However, in this shot, there was no other light on in the room, aside from the laser itself - the red glow in the background is entirely due to the scatter from the laser hitting a wall about a meter away.

Don't be fooled by the fact that you can't see the beam very well. This laser, when focused, is extremely powerful. I once used it to etch my name into the back of my graphing calculator.

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 my desk, 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 red 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.