Infrared Lasers

Infrared lasers are electromagnetic radiations with a wavelength longer than seeable light. But they are shorter than microwave radiation. Infrared lasers supply light to the optical fiber communication systems. Infrared lasers having wavelength of 1,330 nm or 1,550 nm are the finest options for typical silica fibers. Infrared lasers are also used for welding, cutting and engraving of materials. They provide high power and fine band tunable light. Therefore infrared lasers are useful in photo acoustic (PA) techniques. At present CO2 and CO lasers are usually used as light source in PA detection of gases. The reason is that these lasers offer comparatively high power.

Diode-pumped infrared lasers are used in a variety of industrial applications. These lasers are used for engraving metal parts, constructing circuit boards, checking products, and direct-to plate printing. They are of immense relevance in the medical field. Infrared lasers are also used to fix plastic components. They provide process flexibility and do not emit poisonous vapors. There are long wave infrared lasers and short wave infrared lasers. Communication systems depend on long wave infrared lasers. Long wave infrared lasers are not much affected by bad atmospheric surroundings.

There are other infrared lasers called tunable infrared lasers. These lasers contain high pressure molecular gas lasers and nonlinear frequency converters. Mid-infrared lasers are used by high sensitivity gas systems. Far infrared lasers that are optically pumped provide high CW power.

Medical profession is the most important field that is utilizing infrared lasers more useful. Infrared lasers can be used in thermokeratoplasty and viterctomy. Infrared lasers find use in the visual media and in military applications. Infrared lasers act as target designators to specify a target for an accuracy channeled munitions launching from an airplane. Infrared lasers are also used in high sensitivity gas sensing systems.