Page 33 - Microsoft Word - Journal of Physics.doc

Gas lasers

Laser gain medium and type

Operation wavelength(s)

Pump source Applications and notes

Helium-neon laser

632nm 543nm, 593nm, 611nm, 1.152nm, 1.520nm, 3.390nm

Electrical discharge

Interferometry, holography, spectroscopy, barcode scanning, alignment, optical demonstrations

Argon laser

454nm, 488nm, 514nm 351nm,457nm, 465nm, 476nm, 472nm, 528nm

Electrical discharge

Retinal phototherapy (for diabetes),

lithography, confocal

microscopy,spectroscopy pumping other

lasers.

Krypton laser

416nm, 530nm, 568nm, 647nm, 676nm, 752nm, 799nm

Electrical discharge

Scientific research, mixed with argon to create "white-light" lasers, light shows.

Xenon ion laser

visible spectrum extending into the UV

and IR.

Electrical discharge Scientific research.

Nitrogen laser

337nm Electrical discharge

Pumping of dye lasers, measuring air pollution, scientific research. Nitrogen lasers can operate superradiantly (without a resonator cavity). Amateur laser construction. See TEA laser

Carbon dioxide laser

Invisibile 9.400nm 10.600nm,

Transverse (high power) or longitudinal (low power) electrical discharge

Material processing (cutting, welding,

etc.), surgery.

Carbon monoxide laser

Invisibile 2.600 a 4.000nm, 4.800 a 8.300nm

Scarica elettrica

Material processing (engraving, welding, etc.), photoacoustic spectroscopy.

Excimer laser

193nm (ArF), 248 nm (KrF), 308nm (XeCl), 353nm (XeF)

Excimer recombination via electrical discharge

Ultraviolet lithography for semiconductor manufacturing, laser

surgery, LASIK.