Jun 21 2013
Krypton laser belongs to the gas lasers family, which use rare gases as the lasing medium. It is also referred to as a krypton ion laser. The stimulated emission process in ion lasers occurs between the two energy states of the ion. Argon is one of the most common gases to be used in gas lasers, as it generates white light.
The unique feature of krypton lasers is that with the use of proper mirrors it will lase on four sharp spectral lines of red, blue, yellow and green colour. The krypton laser is capable of emitting lights of a number of wavelengths (as many as 10), the most significant one being the ones in the visible spectrum of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Krypton lasers are similar to the argon laser in terms of construction and emitted energy levels. The main differences in construction are in the gases used for filling the plasma tube and the mirrors for the desired outputs. The efficiency of this laser is fairly low, due to the high input energy required to ionise the atoms and excite them to the proper state.
Krypton lasers are chiefly used in medical applications, holography and entertainment. Like argon lasers one needs to exercise caution while operating this laser. Proper eye protection should be worn while working with krypton lasers.
Laser Properties
| Laser Properties |
| Laser type |
Gas |
| Pump source |
Electric Discharge |
| Operating Wavelengths |
| 406.7 nm |
| 413.1 nm |
| 415.4 nm |
| 468.0 nm |
| 476.2 nm |
| 482.5 nm |
| 520.8 nm |
| 530.9 nm |
| 568.2 nm |
| 647.1 nm |
| 676.4 nm |
Applications
Like argon lasers, krypton ion lasers are primarily used in a number of medical treatments. Krypton lasers are used in various ophthalmic procedures and for the coagulation of the retina. Some of the other applications of this laser are in:
- Forensic medicine
- Holography and optical pumping source
- Spectroscopy and microscopy
- Laser shows in entertainment
- High speed printing, copying and typesetting
- Electro-optics research.