The first laser ever made used a synthetic ruby crystal- a solid-state laser with an emission wavelength of 694 nanometers.
Now, over 50 years later, lasers can be from solids, liquids, or gases. They span the electromagnetic spectrum from far-infrared to the edge of ultraviolet, and emit wavelengths from 3 micron to 157 nanometers.
The full diagram of commercial lasers here at Wikimedia Commons.
We made a new and revised chart from the data showing more specifically the industrial and scientific lasers used in micro-drilling applications.
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| click here to enlarge |
From the description:
"Laser types with distinct laser lines are shown above
the wavelength bar, while below are shown lasers
that can emit in a wavelength range... the height of
the line gives an indication of the maximal power/pulse
energy commercially available. For the Ar+-Kr+ laser
only the most important lines are labeled...
Currently most of the data is taken from Weber's book
"Handbook of laser wavelengths", with newer data in
particular for semiconductor lasers."
From the original, we switched the bar around to go from longer to shorter wavelengths, instead of the other way around. Otherwise, it's the same data. It gives a nice visual overview of the laser spectrum and their myriad types.
Next week I'll be writing about an exciting research paper from NOAA for which we made 3 key parts. It connects atmospheric research, WWII planes, Hurricane Katrina, UV-LEDs, and Lenox Laser orifices all together! So be sure to check back.
And as always, check out past posts and our company website for even more information.
