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What is a "Laser Fountain"?A "Laser Fountain" is a creation in which water is the medium used to make the laser beams visible. Using various types of fountains available, a wide variety of effects can be achieved. Graphics, as well as beam effects, can be created using laser fountains, so a complete show can be designed around them. This is useful when designing a laser show around a natural water feature such as a lake or pond.
How Laser Fountains WorkLaser beam effects are made visible using what is called "enhanced scattering" - using a particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere to scatter the light and make it visible. The usual medium to achieve this effect is fog or smoke. Using droplets of water instead of smoke gives a much more brilliant and "sparkly" effect, as the tiny droplets of water in the fountains scatter the laser light like miniature lenses. Types of Laser FountainsA wide variety of effects can be achieved using laser fountains. Varying the placement of the lasers relative to the fountains gives an unlimited number of visual and spatial designs. Here are some of the fountain effects that Laser Spectacles, Inc. has experimented with:
Fountain ModifiersAir is the main fountain modifier. The basic effects listed above can all be modified by "aeration", in which air is mixed with the water as it leaves the fountain nozzle. This introduces a "foamy" effect and makes the water more reflective of laser beams. Creative use of aeration is one of the keys to producing brilliant and colorful laser fountains. In the outdoors, air affects the fountains by means of the wind. The wind can introduce "aeration" of its own, and a strong wind can cause certain fountain effects to "bend". The show controller in such a situation should have a live interaction capability that allows an operator to keep the fountains and lasers perfectly meshed. Water pressure is another fountain modifier. Obviously, modifying the water pressure will change the height of a fountain effect. There are more subtle effects that occur with changing the water pressure quickly over time. Control and Interfacing of Laser FountainsLaser Spectacles, Inc. controls both aspects of laser fountains, the laser show and the fountains, by means of the Lasergraph DSP computer, and its Peripheral Interface Cards. With the DSP it is simple to control all aspects of laser fountains, from positioning and creation of laser effects, to directing and modulating waterflow to the fountains. Audio can easily be integrated via SMPTE or MIDI timecode. The system can integrate with other types of lighting by means of a DMX-512 interface. Factors Affecting Laser Fountain DesignSafety Regulations - In the USA, the FDA regulates the placement of laser beams to 3 meters above the surface that the audience is standing upon, and 2.5 meters laterally from the audience. Brightness - Maximum brilliance is achieved when laser fountains are lit from the rear (backlit). And, since this is an effect requiring darkness for a background, the ambient light levels at performances should be taken into consideration when specifying the size lasers to be used. Audience Comfort - The audience should not get wet! However, in some places this may be a desired part of the effect, such as water parks. Cost of Laser FountainsWhile laser fountain installations must be designed and bid individually, a typical budget for an effective and comprehensive laser fountain show is $250,000. |
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