Information about Ion Lasers

Ion lasers (also known as gas-ion lasers) emit high-powered beams in the visible and ultraviolet (UV) spectral ranges. Ion lasers are composed of a plasma tube, a vacuum- sealed alumina (or ceramic envelope), and a number of windows or mirrors. The plasma tube is filled with ionized gases that settle into levels with transitions between. When these ionized gases are electrically stimulated, radiation is emitted into the alumina. The ends of the alumina are either two Brewster windows, or one Brewster window and a sealed cavity mirror. The area between is referred to as the optical cavity. A 100-percent-reflecting mirror and a partially transmissive output-coupling mirror define the optical cavity. From here, the emitted radiation is focused into a high-powered, high quality beam with a moderate to high continuous-wave output of typically 1 mW to 10 W. In single-frequency operation, the high reflector is replaced with a Brewster prism, and an etalon is inserted.

Products & Services Related to Ion Lasers

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Lasers

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) lasers use the energy-state transitions between vibrational and rotational states of CO₂molecules to emit at long IR, about 10 µm, wavelengths. These lasers can maintain continuous and very high levels of power and are typically used in cutting, welding, etching, and marking applications.

Diode Lasers

Diode lasers use light-emitting diodes to produce stimulated emissions in the form of coherent light output. They are also known as laser diodes.

Excimer Lasers

Excimer lasers are rare-gas halide or rare-gas metal vapor lasers that produce relatively wide beams of ultraviolet laser light. They operate via the electronic transitions of molecules.

Helium Cadmium (HeCd) Lasers

Helium cadmium (HeCd) lasers are relatively economical, continuous-wave sources for violet (442 nm) and ultraviolet (325 nm) output. They are used for 3-D stereolithography applications, as well as for exposing holographs.

Helium Neon Lasers

Helium neon (HeNe) lasers have an emission that is determined by neon atoms by virtue of a resonant transfer of excitation of helium. They operate continuously in the red, infrared and far-infrared regions and emit highly monochromatic radiation.

Lasers

Lasers are devices that produce intense beams of monochromatic, coherent radiation. The word "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Solid State Lasers

Solid state lasers use a transparent substance (crystalline or glass) as the active medium, doped to provide the energy states necessary for lasing. Solid state lasers are used in both low and high power applications.