Laserarten

Laserarten, or laser types, categorize lasers by their gain medium and operational characteristics. This framework helps compare wavelength ranges, efficiency, power, and suitable applications.

Gain-media families include solid-state lasers (crystal or glass hosts such as Nd:YAG and ruby), gas lasers (carbon dioxide, helium-neon, argon), liquid dye lasers, and semiconductor (diode) lasers. Fiber lasers, a subset of solid-state devices with doped optical fibers, are also widely used. Each category covers a broad range of wavelengths, beam qualities, and power levels.

Emission behavior and pumping methods further distinguish lasers. Lasers can operate in continuous wave or pulsed modes (including Q-switched or mode-locked outputs). Pumping can be electrical or optical, depending on the medium. Individual types vary in tunability, beam quality, efficiency, and maintenance requirements. Diode-pumped solid-state and fiber lasers are common for high reliability and efficiency, while dye lasers offer tunable wavelengths in certain spectral regions.

Applications span manufacturing, medicine, telecommunications, and scientific research. Lasers enable precision cutting and welding, laser surgery and therapy, data transmission, spectroscopy, and metrological references. Safety considerations and regulatory standards govern their use across industries.

The laser concept emerged in 1960 with Theodore Maiman’s ruby laser, marking the dawn of practical light amplification by stimulated emission. Since then, laserarten have diversified through advances in materials, optics, and photonics, yielding a wide range of devices suited to specific technical and commercial needs.