College Science Student Builds a Homemade 40-Watt Laser Shotgun That Sets Paper on Fire and Blasts Through Balloons

Southern Illinois University science student Drake Anthony (aka “DIY Laser Guy“) recently created a great 40-watt laser shotgun. His futuristic shotgun shoots eight parallel five-watt laser beams, totalling 40 watts, that are all manipulated with lenses to make a more direct beam. Anthony uses his laser weapon to set paper on fire, blast through a collection of balloons, burn a ping-pong ball, and more.

The output of this laser is complete insanity, and is made up of 8 parallel 5W laser beams totaling to 40W. The parallel beams are manipulated with lenses, sort of like how a choke modifies the spread of a shotgun blast. The massive diode array is powered by a huge lithium polymer battery pack (capable up dumping 250A) and the laser array is regulated by a whopping 24 LM317 drivers.

photo by Drake Anthony