Laser and its applications

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1.Introduction (Brief history of laser)

The laser is perhaps the most important optical device to be developed in the past 50 years. Since its arrival in the 1960s, rather quiet and unheralded outside the scientific community, it has provided the stimulus to make optics one of the most rapidly growing fields in science and technology today.

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Definition of laser A laser is a device that generates light by

a process called STIMULATED EMISSION. The acronym LASER stands for :o Light o Amplification by o Stimulated o Emission ofo Radiation

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Typical Application of Laser – Fibre Optics

An example of application is for the light source for fibre optics communication.

Light travels down a fibre optics glass at a speed, = c/n, where n = refractive index.

Light carries with it information Different wavelength travels at different

speed. This induce dispersion and at the receiving

end the light is observed to be spread. This is associated with data or information lost.

The greater the spread of information, the more loss

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Fiber Optic A technology that uses glass(or plastic)

threads (fibers) to transmit data. A fiber optic cable consists of a bundle of glass threads, each of which is capable of transmitting messages modulated onto light waves.

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Other Application Of LASER

Many scientific, military, medical, communication and commercial laser applications have been developed since the invention of the laser

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Military Military  uses of lasers include applications

such as  target designation  and ranging, defensive countermeasures, communications and  directed energy weapons.

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Medical Cosmetic surgery (removing tattoos,

scars, stretch marks, sunspots, wrinkles, birthmarks, and hairs.

Eye surgery  and  refractive surgery Laser

repairing retina

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Communication

The speed of the communication is high, But still the communication with the outer world

is still lagging.

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Materil Procssing

Laser cutting, laser welding, laser brazing, laser bending, laser engraving or marking, laser cleaning, weapons etc. When the material is exposed to laser it produces intense heat, thus the material is heated and melted.

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