Laser/Types

Types of laser:

Helium-Neon Laser
Holography, spectroscopy, presentation (pointers), barcode scanning

Argon laser
Used for coagulation, i.e. surgery. Ophthalmitic surgery, confocal microscopy, retinal phototherapy for diabetes

CO2 laser
Used to excise tissue. Ophthalmitic surgery. Cutting and welding material.

Chemical lasers
Hydrogen fluoride laser, deuterium fluoride laser. Used in scientific research, weaponry. They are usually much more powerful than gas lasers (can reach mega watt values)

Dye lasers
Dyes such as rhodamine, coumarin. They are used in medicine, spectroscopy, research.

Metal-vapor lasers
Copper vapor laser is used in dermatology and high-speed photography.

Solid-state lasers
Ruby laser is used in holography, tattoo removal. It was the first visible-light laser invented (1960).

Semiconductor lasers
Aluminium gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP) laser is used for reading compact discs.