Yag Laser, Diode, and Co2
The term “laser” is, in reality, an acronym meaning Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation. These devices are designed to emit a focused, narrow-wavelength beam of light and they have numerous applications. Diode, CO2, and YAG lasers are among the most commonly used, but there are other designs as well.
Eoslaser.com is the internet’s best source of information regarding CO2, diode, and YAG laser devices. For most people, a laser is a laser. However, in reality there are many different types of lasers and as such, we have developed this website to provide general information about these devices for anyone that wishes to learn more about them. We do not endorse any particular company or product, and the information we provide is intended to be as non-biased as possible.
The dictionary defines “laser” as “a device that produces a nearly parallel, nearly monochromatic, and coherent beam of light by exciting atoms to a higher energy level and causing them to radiate their energy in phase”. In order to accomplish this, most lasers are constructed using a material known as a “gain medium”, which is placed inside of a reflective cavity. The gain medium can be made from any number of materials, including crystals, glass, gasses, or semiconductor materials. The reflective surface inside the cavity in which the gain medium is housed is most often made from optical quality mirrors.
As was previously mentioned, there are many different types of lasers; each its own unique characteristics. The YAG laser (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) is one of the most common lasers in use today. This particular laser uses a crystal as the gain medium and is considered a “solid-state” laser. First introduced during the 1960’s, these lasers are used throughout many different industries. Within the medical field, they are extremely useful for cataract and glaucoma surgeries, as well as for many cancer treatments.
A diode laser differs from a YAG in that it utilizes a semiconductor material as the gain medium. These lasers are largely considered the most commonly used type of laser in existence, and are found in everything from CD players to barcode scanners. They are particularly useful within the telecommunications industry, where they are used as a primary source of light for fiber optic networks. Since they were first used in the 1960’s, improvements in semiconductor technology have vastly improved their capabilities.
Rather than use crystals or semiconductors, CO2 lasers use CO2 gas as the gain medium. These are considered the earliest form of gas laser (having been invented in the early 1960’s) but they are still prevalent in many industries today. The high power nature of these lasers make them ideally suited to the manufacturing industry, and they are often used for cutting through or welding together pieces of metal or metal alloys. They are often used for some medical techniques as well, including many cosmetic surgery procedures.
There are many other types of laser as well, so if you haven’t found what you’re looking for on this page, please feel free to peruse the various links we’ve provided.