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Laser Pointers: Colors and Uses
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
“Light amplification by stimulated emission of
radiation.” This is the literal definition behind the word laser. In our world’s current technological state, lasers come in a
variety of shapes and sizes. Movies have even turned lasers into weapons in
the form of light sabers. One common form of lasers is the laser pointer. While red may be
the most common color (and no, it doesn’t mean the holder is evil like Darth
Vader), there are multiple colors of laser pointers — all with different
intended uses.
RED
As red is the most
well known color and is where we shall start. Red laser pointers are common
because they are typically the least expensive ones to make. Deep red laser
diodes start near 650 nanometers wavelength. Orange-ish colored ones start around
635-nanometer wavelength. Laser diodes, which are the most common type of
lasers produced, are semiconductors electrically pumped. Red or red-orange are
simple to produce because laser diodes are easily available in these colors.
While it seems red lasers may not be used much
anymore save for that professional presentation, there have been advances in
their technology in recent years. Some newly designed red pointers take
advantage of diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL). DPSSLs are solid-state
lasers (in case you couldn’t guess). Pumping a solid gain medium, such as a
ruby, with a laser diode, makes DPSSLs. What makes this technology special is the
compactness and efficiency DPSSLs have to offer. This form of laser in its high
power form can replace ion lasers in certain scientific ventures. Heck, even
other color laser pointers are taking advantage of this technology.
GREEN
Green lasers have become a popular color in the
beginning of the 21st century. The wavelength spectrum for green is around
520-570 nanometers. The most common type of green pointers is also DPSSLs. However,
laser diodes are not commonly available in the spectrum of green light. Making
things a little bit more complicated, green light is created by high power
infrared laser diode. Some green pointers operate in quasi-continuous wave
mode, which is to help extend battery life and reduce heat. Like any lasers,
pointing a green laser at one’s eye can be extremely dangerous and can causer
permanent retinal damage.
Humans can more
easily see the beam of a green laser than a red laser because the human eye is
more sensitive at low light levels, which are levels in the green region of the
light spectrum. That being said, green pointers are excellent for pointing out
objects that are very far away, as a person can easily follow the laser’s beam
in its entirety. Currently, many astronomers use green laser pointers to indicate
the locations of stars to people, as certain types of green pointers can be
visible for thousands of feet. Green lasers that operate under milliwatts (mW)
are powerful enough to light matches and pop balloons.
BLUE
Blue is the up-and-coming color in the laser
pointer world. The common wavelength is 473 nanometers, and those blue pointers
have a similar composition to their green counterparts. The wavelength for
these pointers is 360-480 nanometers. There are gas lasers and semiconductor
laser diodes with blue beams. Some blue lasers that emit light below 445
nanometers actually appear violet in color.
The common usage of blue lasers is seen in
Blu-ray players. (OK, actually Blu-rays use violet lasers, but those violet
lasers function at 405 nanometers, which makes them barely visible at that
wavelength.) Another use of blue lasers can be seen in medical applications. Cystoscopy, a test used to
detect bladder cancer, has incorporated using blue lasers during the procedure.
But also like their green counterparts, blue pointers can be potent enough to
pop balloons, meaning you should take precautions when using these powerful pointers.
While these are just the popular
laser pointer colors, who knows what color modern technology will produce next?
Maybe rainbow lasers will be the next big thing!
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