Information about Lasers

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About 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. Lasers consist of a gain medium inside an optical cavity, and are available in a variety of types for numerous purposes. Types of lasers include carbon dioxide lasers (CO2 lasers), dye lasers, excimer lasers, helium cadmium lasers (HeCd lasers), helium neon lasers (HeNe lasers), laser diodes, laser pointers, and solid state lasers.

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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.

Ion Lasers

Ion lasers function by stimulating the emission of radiation between two levels of an ionized gas. They provide moderate to high continuous-wave output of typically 1 mW to 10 W.

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.

Engineering Web: Lasers - Machine Design

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