This set of two circuits from the basis for a very simple light wave transmitter. A LASER beam is modulated and then aimed at a receiver that demodulates the signal and then presents the information (voice, data, etc..). The whole thing is very easy to build and requires no specialized parts execpt for the LASER itself. LASERs are available from MWK Industries.

Schematic Of Receiver

Parts:

Part
 Total Qty.
 Description
 Substitutions
 
C1, C2
 2
 0.1uf Ceramic Disc Capacitor
 
 
C3
 1
 100uf 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
 
 
R1
 1
 100K Ohm 1/4W Resistor
 
 
R2
 1
 1M Ohm 1/4W Resistor
 
 
R3
 1
 10K Pot
 
 
Q1
 1
 NPN Phototransistor
 
 
U1
 1
 741 Op Amp
 
 
U2
 1
 LM386 Audio Amp
 
 
SPKR1
 1
 8 Ohm Speaker
 
 
T1
 1
 8 Ohm:2K Audio Transformer
 
 
MISC
 1
 Wire, Board, Knob For R3, LASER Tube and Power Supply
 

Notes:
1. In the transmitter schematic, no ballast resistor is shown because most small LASER power supplies already have one built in. Yours may differ, and a resistor may be needed.

2. The receiver should be kept away from bright lights. You may want to put a piece of wax paper in front of Q1 to keep the LASER from swamping it.

3. In order to get any decent amount of modulation, you may need to drive T1 with more then a watt.

4. The circuit can be made to transmit computer data with the use of two modem chips.