Different types of lasers
I found a great resource for laser types. Check out the full list after the jump.
Gas lasers
| Laser gain medium and type | Operation wavelength(s) | Pump source | Applications and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helium-neon laser | 632.8 nm (543.5 nm, 593.9 nm, 611.8 nm, 1.1523 μm, 1.52 μm, 3.3913 μm) | Electrical discharge | Interferometry, holography, spectroscopy, barcode scanning, alignment, optical demonstrations. |
| Argon laser | 454.6 nm, 488.0 nm, 514.5 nm (351 nm,457.9 nm, 465.8 nm, 476.5 nm, 472.7 nm, 528.7 nm) | Electrical discharge | Retinal phototherapy (for diabetes), lithography, confocal microscopy, pumping other lasers. |
| Krypton laser | 416 nm, 530.9 nm, 568.2 nm, 647.1 nm, 676.4 nm, 752.5 nm, 799.3 nm | Electrical discharge | Scientific research, mixed with argon to create “white-light” lasers, light shows. |
| Xenon ion laser | Many lines throughout visible spectrum extending into the UV and IR. | Electrical discharge | Scientific research. |
| Nitrogen laser | 337.1 nm | Electrical discharge | Pumping of dye lasers, measuring air pollution, scientific research. Nitrogen lasers can operate superradiantly (without a resonator cavity). Amateur laser construction. See TEA laser |
| Carbon dioxide laser | 10.6 μm, (9.4 μm) | Transverse (high power) or longitudinal (low power) electrical discharge | Material processing (cutting, welding, etc.), surgery. |
| Carbon monoxide laser | 2.6 to 4 μm, 4.8 to 8.3 μm | Electrical discharge | Material processing (engraving, welding, etc.), photoacoustic spectroscopy. |
| Excimer laser | 193 nm (ArF), 248 nm (KrF), 308 nm (XeCl), 353 nm (XeF) | Excimer recombination via electrical discharge | Ultraviolet lithography for semiconductor manufacturing, laser surgery, LASIK. |
