Talk:Ruby
From Academic Kids
Normally I don't like to mention prices in a wikipedia article, but I don't know how else to say that synthetic rubies are *incredibly cheap*, compared to "natural" rubies. Does posting the $15 price on the [Ruby_(gemstone)] article violate NPOV, and if so, what can I do to fix it ? (I am not associated with Edmund Scientific other than occasionally buying a few items from them). -- DavidCary 01:38, 18 May 2004 (UTC)
The sentence
"Ruby" lasers operate with a corundum lasing medium.
is technically correct, although it implies that there is no "real" ruby in a ruby laser. Synthetic rubies are used in lots of lasers (such as the rangefinder in the M-60 battle tank http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/laserssl.htm#sslhrl ).
Would it be better to say
"Ruby lasers" use a synthetic ruby as the lasing medium.
? (Are there any lasers that use any form of corundum that is any color other than red/pink ?)
-- DavidCary 01:38, 18 May 2004 (UTC)
The article currently claims "Most manufactured rubies have dopants added to them so that they can be identified as artificial." This may be true, but I suspect it's a misunderstanding of the fact that *all* rubies (natural and synthetic) have chromium as Doping Dopant in the semiconductor sense. References ? Wiki:DeletedUnlessDefended -- DavidCary 01:38, 18 May 2004 (UTC)
- I've removed the pricing and commercial link: aside from being highly inappropriate, it didn't really say much. The price of artifical rubies depends on the process used to make them, and the quality of the cutting. Flux rubies, for example, can still be pricey for most people (although far cheaper than naturals).
- As for the sentence about dopants, it's entirely false. There was one specific brand of flux ruby, the Ramaura ruby, which included a dopant to identify them as artificial under UV light. It was a family business run by two women, and they've sinced retired. They were very high quality, of course, and they often rejected bribes in order to omit the dopant.
- I've corrected a few more errors (none made by you, I don't think), but this article still needs a lot of work. It seems I'll have to abandon my recently self-imposed rule of "no editing of articles on subjects which you are a professional", because I'm shocked at how long such misinformation stood. Oh well. -- Hadal 06:05, 16 Jul 2004 (UTC)
- Hadal, as the supplier of the ruby pic I have an interest in this article so here's a thought ......
- Wouldn't exactly the opposite rule be best i.e contribute particularly to articles where you are an expert? How else could errors be corrected that only a professional will know about? Best Wishes, Adrian Pingstone 08:25, 16 Jul 2004 (UTC)
- Hadal, as the supplier of the ruby pic I have an interest in this article so here's a thought ......
