Lasersystems

Lasersystems, or laser systems, refer to coherent light devices built around a laser transition in a gain medium. A typical system combines a gain medium with an excitation source, an optical resonator to amplify light, and a delivery path that directs the output to the target. Laser light is characterized by high spatial coherence, spectral brightness, and, in many cases, very short pulse durations.

Gain media include crystalline solids (such as Nd:YAG), glasses, semiconductor diodes, molecular gases, and liquids. The excitation source can be electrical power, optical pumping, chemical reactions, or combinations. The resonator, often consisting of mirrors or distributed Bragg reflectors, provides feedback and defines the laser mode. Additional subsystems handle cooling, power control, safety interlocks, and beam delivery optics.

Common laser families: solid-state lasers (Nd:YAG, Yb:YAG), fiber lasers, diode lasers, gas lasers (CO2, CO, He-Ne), dye lasers, excimer lasers, and semiconductor lasers. Many systems combine multiple stages, such as diode-pumped solid-state lasers or fiber lasers with frequency conversion.

Operation modes: continuous-wave and pulsed. Pulsed operation uses techniques such as Q-switching or mode-locking to produce high peak powers. Key performance metrics include wavelength, output power, beam quality (M2), efficiency, and stability. Wavelength ranges span from UV to infrared depending on the gain medium and frequency conversion.

Applications include materials processing (cutting, drilling, glazing), medical procedures (surgery, ophthalmology), scientific research, metrology and sensing, laser spectroscopy, and free-space communication and LIDAR. System design emphasizes safety, reliability, and integration with automation.

Safety and regulation: lasers pose eye and skin hazards, with risk dependent on wavelength, power, and exposure duration. Industry standards and regulatory frameworks (for example IEC 60825-1 and ANSI Z136 series) guide labeling, interlocks, training, and risk assessment.