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Solid-State Laser
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Published: September 26, 2006
Lasers are composed of one of four different types of mediums: solid, liquid, gas, and electrical. Semiconductors work in an electrical state while the Solid-State lasers work in a solid form, thus the name. The solid matrix that the lasing material is distributed upon includes the Ruby Laser or the Neodymium, also known as the Yttrium-Aluminum Garnet (YAG) laser.
The history of Solid-State lasers goes back four decades to 1960. The first solid state laser used a synthetic ruby rod with a mirror on both ends of the rod. One of the mirrors was semi-transparent. There was a helical xenon flashlamp that surrounded the rod and was similar to a lamp used in high-speed photography. The lamp flash created an intense blue-white light that raised some of the chromium atoms in the matrix. The end result was coherent red light (a laser) measured at 694.3 nanometers.
Though the process of solid-state laser technology is highly scientific, it does have practical applications in everyday life. These applications include: medical and surgical needs, printing and copying, scientific research, entertainment, cutting, drilling, and welding. Finally, laser projectors used in light shows use solid-state lasers instead of gas lasers. Solid-state lasers are the largest and have the highest peak power.
Solid-state lasers come in a variety of colors. These colors depend on the wavelength the laser module is releasing. The solid-state lasers emit colors such as green (532nm), red (671nm), blue (473nm) and infrared (1064 to 1342nm). The green laser is used in laser shows and stage lighting because it is attractive to the eyes. It is also popular in the scientific community. Red, blue, and infrared are also used in the medical profession, and in the construction and communications fields.
Laser expert Don Klipstein suggests buying a laser pointer, or comparable equipment with a wavelength around 555 nanometers. Wavelengths around 700nm border on infrared, are not very bright, and are almost invisible. "It is recommended to get a diode laser with a wavelength as close to 555 nanometers as possible, as opposed to longer wavelengths," Klipstein said.
Klipstein continued by saying, "As the wavelength gets closer to 555 nM, the visibility becomes greater, while the color becomes closer to a yellowish green. Wavelengths less than 555 nanometers are bluer and less visible than 555 nM. Wavelengths less than 400 nanometers are ultraviolet."
In early August of this year the Northrop Grumman Corporation announced construction of a facility in California dedicated to the work of lasers for the military. The first task at the finished 11,000 square foot facility will be a 100 kW laser, the Joint High-Power Solid State Laser. Northrop Grumman also plans to produce lasers more powerful than the 100 kW solid state laser.
Bishop, Bob-Northrop Grumman Space Technology. "Photo Release-Northrop Grumman Begins Work on Dedicated Facility for High-Energy, Solid-State Laser System Integration and Production." Bloomberg.com. August 2, 2006. Northrop Grumman Corporation. September 25, 2006.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewssto ry&refer=conews&tkr=NOC:US&sid=amvqefb />
Enlight Technologies. "Low to Medium output power DPSS modules." Enlight Technologies, Inc. September 25, 2006. http://www.enlight-tech.com/dpss_modules.shtml
Goldwasser, Sam. "Solid State Lasers." Repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu. Copyright 2006. Samuel Goldwasser. September 25, 2006. http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/laserssl.htm#s slint
Weschler, Matthew. "How Lasers Work." HowStuffWorks. Copyright 2006. HowStuffWorks, Inc. HSW Media Network. September 25, 2006. http://science.howstuffworks.com/laser7.htm
Klipstein, Don. "Don K.'s Laser Page." Members.misty.com/don/laserdon.html.
September 25, 2006. http://members.misty.com/don/laserdon.html
The history of Solid-State lasers goes back four decades to 1960. The first solid state laser used a synthetic ruby rod with a mirror on both ends of the rod. One of the mirrors was semi-transparent. There was a helical xenon flashlamp that surrounded the rod and was similar to a lamp used in high-speed photography. The lamp flash created an intense blue-white light that raised some of the chromium atoms in the matrix. The end result was coherent red light (a laser) measured at 694.3 nanometers.
Though the process of solid-state laser technology is highly scientific, it does have practical applications in everyday life. These applications include: medical and surgical needs, printing and copying, scientific research, entertainment, cutting, drilling, and welding. Finally, laser projectors used in light shows use solid-state lasers instead of gas lasers. Solid-state lasers are the largest and have the highest peak power.
Solid-state lasers come in a variety of colors. These colors depend on the wavelength the laser module is releasing. The solid-state lasers emit colors such as green (532nm), red (671nm), blue (473nm) and infrared (1064 to 1342nm). The green laser is used in laser shows and stage lighting because it is attractive to the eyes. It is also popular in the scientific community. Red, blue, and infrared are also used in the medical profession, and in the construction and communications fields.
Laser expert Don Klipstein suggests buying a laser pointer, or comparable equipment with a wavelength around 555 nanometers. Wavelengths around 700nm border on infrared, are not very bright, and are almost invisible. "It is recommended to get a diode laser with a wavelength as close to 555 nanometers as possible, as opposed to longer wavelengths," Klipstein said.
Klipstein continued by saying, "As the wavelength gets closer to 555 nM, the visibility becomes greater, while the color becomes closer to a yellowish green. Wavelengths less than 555 nanometers are bluer and less visible than 555 nM. Wavelengths less than 400 nanometers are ultraviolet."
In early August of this year the Northrop Grumman Corporation announced construction of a facility in California dedicated to the work of lasers for the military. The first task at the finished 11,000 square foot facility will be a 100 kW laser, the Joint High-Power Solid State Laser. Northrop Grumman also plans to produce lasers more powerful than the 100 kW solid state laser.
Bishop, Bob-Northrop Grumman Space Technology. "Photo Release-Northrop Grumman Begins Work on Dedicated Facility for High-Energy, Solid-State Laser System Integration and Production." Bloomberg.com. August 2, 2006. Northrop Grumman Corporation. September 25, 2006.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewssto ry&refer=conews&tkr=NOC:US&sid=amvqefb />
Enlight Technologies. "Low to Medium output power DPSS modules." Enlight Technologies, Inc. September 25, 2006. http://www.enlight-tech.com/dpss_modules.shtml
Goldwasser, Sam. "Solid State Lasers." Repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu. Copyright 2006. Samuel Goldwasser. September 25, 2006. http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/laserssl.htm#s slint
Weschler, Matthew. "How Lasers Work." HowStuffWorks. Copyright 2006. HowStuffWorks, Inc. HSW Media Network. September 25, 2006. http://science.howstuffworks.com/laser7.htm
Klipstein, Don. "Don K.'s Laser Page." Members.misty.com/don/laserdon.html.
September 25, 2006. http://members.misty.com/don/laserdon.html
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