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Semiconductor lasers

Laser gain medium and type

Operation wavelength(s)

Pump source

Applications and notes

Semiconductor laser diode (general information)

0.4-20 µm, a depending on active region material.

Telecommunications, holography, printing, weapons, machining, welding, pump sources

for other lasers.

GaN 400nm Optical discs.

AlGaAs

630nm Invisibile -900nm

Optical discs, laser pointers, data communications. 780 nm Compact Disc player laser is the most common laser type in the world. Solid-state laser pumping,

machining, medical..

InGaAsP

Invisibile 1.000nm-2.100nm

Telecommunications, solid-state laser pumping, machining, medical..

lead salt 3-20 µm

Vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)

850 - 1500 nm, depending on material

Telecommunications

Quantum cascade

laser

Mid-infrared to far-

infrared.

Electrical current

Research,Future applications may include collision-avoidance radar, industrial-process control and medical diagnostics such as

breath analyzers.