Using a laser pointer to find the data track of cd or dvd

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alexeom1113
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:58 pm
Occupation: Student; 8th grade
Project Question: Using a laser pointer to measure a data track of cd and dvd
Project Due Date: January 12th
Project Status: I am conducting my experiment

Using a laser pointer to find the data track of cd or dvd

Post by alexeom1113 »

We were doing this topic for our science fair project, and we faced some big problem right now.

When we point the laser pointer at the dvd or cd, we don't see enough reflection. We only see 1~2 reflection. And we have tried various different situation, for example, changing an angle of incident beam, changing a type of paper that we put behind the protractor, and ALSO we changed a type or laser pointer, 532 nm with green one. \
WHAT SHOULD WE DO? :(
bfinio
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Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:41 pm
Occupation: Lead Staff Scientist, Science Buddies
Project Question: Expert
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Using a laser pointer to find the data track of cd or dv

Post by bfinio »

Hi alexeom1113,

One suggestion I can make off the top of my head is to try the experiment in a darker room. Try turning off the lights and even closing window shades. If the room you're in is very bright, all that extra light will drown out some of the fainter reflections from the laser pointer.
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