CO2 Laser Physics, Power Testing, and Wind Waker Woodblock Printing with AlphaPhoenix

In this video, AlphaPhoenix host Brian Haidet explains lasers as energy transformation devices, focusing on a 60 watt CO2 laser used to cut wood and acrylic. He dives into the concept of population inversion, the way energy from electricity becomes infrared light, and how a laser can deposit heat in a tiny spot to vaporize material with precision. He also demonstrates a hands-on power test using a beaker of water to illustrate how much power the laser delivers and discusses measurement caveats.

"From a physicist's perspective, a laser is just a really complicated way to transform energy" - Brian Haidet, AlphaPhoenix

Introduction: Laser Physics and Energy Transformation

Brian Haidet introduces lasers as a sophisticated method to convert electrical energy into highly localized infrared light. He emphasizes that a laser can concentrate energy into a microscopic spot, enabling precise heating and material removal. The discussion sets the stage for exploring population inversion and how different energy storage auras (excited states) contribute to laser operation.

"From a physicist's perspective, a laser is just a really complicated way to transform energy" - Brian Haidet, AlphaPhoenix

CO2 Lasers, Gas States, and Population Inversion

The video explains the CO2 laser tube, the gas mix inside, and how electrical energy accelerates electrons to excite nitrogen and CO2 molecules. Collisions transfer energy to CO2 molecules, exciting vibrational modes that can emit infrared photons when returning to lower energy states. A population inversion is described as having more molecules in excited states than in the ground state, enabling net light amplification as photons stimulate further emissions.

"Population inversion is the condition where you have lots of unstable high energy states and very few low energy states" - Brian Haidet, AlphaPhoenix

Power Demonstration and Heat Management

The presenter demonstrates a power-measurement approach by directing the unfocused laser into a water bath to observe temperature rise. The experiment suggests the tube is delivering around 70 watts under the test conditions, while acknowledging limitations like incomplete light capture and heat escaping. The discussion underscores that lasers transfer energy to heat locally and that proper cooling is essential for continuous operation.

"We are turning kinetic energy directly into light" - Brian Haidet, AlphaPhoenix

From Laser to Art: Wind Waker Woodblock Printing

The second half covers a woodworking-and-printmaking project: using a laser to reproduce a Wind Waker-inspired woodblock print. The process begins with converting game graphics into a printable vector, after filtering, thresholding, and manual cleanup to mimic authentic woodblock imperfections. The block is etched, then color layers are applied using separate blocks and tea-dyed watercolor paper to achieve a vintage look. The artist shares challenges with ink consistency, roller quality, and alignment, recounting several iterations before achieving satisfying results.

"Spent weekends soaking paper in tea to yellow it for color blocks" - Brian Haidet, AlphaPhoenix

Reflection and Creative Output

Beyond the technical details, the video reflects on the satisfaction of combining physics with hands-on making, and on the appeal of automating a traditionally manual process. The final prints hang on the kitchen wall, embodying a blend of science, craft, and personal nerdiness that characterizes AlphaPhoenix’s projects.

"There was something pure about it somehow" - Brian Haidet, AlphaPhoenix