Kaasulasit

Kaasulasit, also known as gas lasers, are a type of laser that produces a beam of coherent light by stimulating a gain medium composed of a gas or a mixture of gases. The gas is typically contained within a sealed tube, often referred to as a laser tube or discharge tube. An electrical current is passed through the gas, exciting the atoms or molecules within it to a higher energy state. When these excited particles transition back to their ground state, they emit photons, which can then be amplified through stimulated emission to create a laser beam.

The type of gas used determines the wavelength and characteristics of the emitted laser light. Common gases include helium-neon (HeNe), argon, krypton, and carbon dioxide (CO2). HeNe lasers are widely used in alignment, interferometry, and barcode scanning due to their stable red beam. Argon and krypton lasers produce light in the visible spectrum and are utilized in medical applications like ophthalmology and in scientific research. CO2 lasers, operating in the infrared region, are powerful and find extensive use in industrial cutting, welding, and engraving, as well as in medical surgery.

The construction of a gas laser typically involves the gas-filled tube placed between two mirrors, forming an optical resonator. One mirror is highly reflective, while the other is partially transmissive, allowing the laser beam to exit. The gain medium's ability to amplify light, combined with the resonant cavity, ensures the generation and propagation of a coherent and directional laser beam. Gas lasers are known for their reliability and ability to produce specific wavelengths of light.