A majority of lasers are emitted by a device called a laser diode. Lasers emit light in the infrared spectrum, meaning they will not harm your skin or eyes if you are looking directly at them. However, some people have had negative reactions to lasers in the past so it’s important to know all there is to know about these devices before using them.
The Femtosecond, Picosecond, and Nanosecond Lasers
One of the most popular types of lasers is the femtosecond laser. This laser emits pulses that are just one quadrillionth of a second long, making it incredibly fast and precise. Out of the many applications of the femtosecond laser, it’s most often used for eye surgery, such as LASIK because it can make incredibly small incisions with little to no bleeding. Larger incisions can cause more damage, which requires additional treatment. On the other hand, small holes do not require tissue stitching and are easier for patients to heal. The picosecond laser is similar to the femtosecond laser with one key difference: it emits pulses that lasts one trillionth of a second rather than quadrillionth. This type of laser is used in most consumer products today because it’s fast enough to scan CDs and DVDs but still precise enough to engrave plastic materials like credit cards, id badges, nameplates, and store tags.
The nanosecond laser is another popular laser as it emits very short light pulses that last only one billionth of a second. A nanosecond laser is a versatile tool used for many purposes, including welding and precise marking. It’s also an optimal choice for making light displays like the ones in Las Vegas casinos because the pulse duration is shorter than 1/10 of one percent of human vision (meaning almost all people will be unable to see it). It’s also used in medical procedures such as laser ablation, which is a process that uses lasers to remove tumors or other lesions from the body.
The Continuous Wave Laser
Unlike the femtosecond, picosecond, and nanosecond lasers, the continuous wave laser emits a steady beam of light. This type of laser is mostly used for industrial purposes because it can be tuned to emit a wide range of wavelengths. The wavelength is an important characteristic of lasers because it determines how the laser will interact with its target. For example, a continuous wave laser with a long wavelength can be used to cut metal while a shorter wavelength can be used to etch patterns into the glass.
The Diode Pumped Solid State Laser
As the name suggests, this type of laser uses a diode to pump energy into a solid-state material. This is the most common type of laser used today because it’s relatively cheap to produce and has a long lifespan. The diode-pumped solid-state laser can be found in everything from DVD players to industrial cutting machines. How does it work? Well, this laser starts with a small crystal that’s about the size of a grain of rice. The diode is then placed against the side of the crystal and emits light. This light is absorbed by the atoms in the crystal, which causes them to heat up and emit their light. This process is repeated over and over again until you have a powerful laser beam. This just scratches the surface of the different types of lasers available on the market today. As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a laser for your specific application. Do your research and talk to experts to find the best laser for your needs.
The Excimer Laser
An excimer laser is a special type of gas laser that emits ultraviolet light. It’s often used for eye surgery because the wavelength is very close to the visible spectrum, meaning less energy is needed to cause a reaction. This also makes it less likely to damage surrounding tissue. When used, it allows for very tiny incisions. For example, it’s also used during LASIK surgery because it can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness with incredible accuracy and minimal side effects.
The Dye Laser and The Picopulsed Laser
While lasers emit light in the form of an incredibly focused beam, dye lasers go a step further and produce extremely bright laser pulses that last only one trillionth of a second. This type of laser is often used for research purposes or as an additive in consumer products like DVD players. In addition to using several lasers at once to create a vibrant display, another common use is installing security features on products such as credit cards, ID badges, nameplates, and store tags. The picopulsed laser emits pulses that are one thousand times shorter than picosecond lasers, which last only one-millionth of a second each. This type of laser can produce extremely short pulses that help create continuous surface damage with very precise control at high speeds – useful applications include drilling, ablation, micro-machining, and micromachining. For example, in drilling, this laser can be used to drill very small holes or create rubber-like materials.
The Q-Switched Laser
This type of laser emits particles in nanosecond pulses, which are one-billionth of a second each. Q-switched lasers are often used for medical purposes because they can remove tattoos and birthmarks with less damage to surrounding tissue than other types of lasers. They’re also used during eye surgeries for this same reason. However, these types of lasers can cause bleeding, discomfort, scarring, shock waves that break the outermost layer of the cornea (the epithelium), and retinal injury leading to blindness. Overall, they must be handled with great care and patience as it’s incredibly easy to misfire them and cause more harm than good.
There are several different kinds of lasers out there and they all have their uses. When it comes time to purchase one, make sure you do your research and inspect the product closely before making your purchase. If you’re uncertain, then consult an expert for help in choosing the laser that’s right for you. Make sure to keep up with the latest news and trends in laser technology, as the industry evolves every day. And be aware of your surroundings if you’re using one because lasers can cause serious harm to human skin and eyes.
