How lasers work - Basics

In the following video, we will roughly show you the operating principle and structure of the laser.

The term 'Laser'

LASER is an acronym and stands for 'Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation'. In simple terms: Light particles (photons) are excited by their current emitting energy in the form of light. This light is bundled into a beam. Thus, a laser beam is formed.

All lasers consist of three components:

• External pump source
• Active laser media
• Resonator

The pump source guides external energy to the laser.

The active laser marker medium is located on the inside of the laser. Depending on the design, the laser medium can consist of a mixture of gases (CO2 laser), of a crystal body (YAG laser) or glass fiber (fiber laser). When energy is fed into the laser medium through a pump, it emits energy in the form of radiation.

The active laser medium is located between the two mirrors, the 'resonator'. One of these mirrors is a one-way mirror. The active medium laser radiation is amplified in the resonator. At the same time, only certain radiation can leave the resonator through the one-way mirror. This bundled radiation is laser radiation.

Laser beam property: monochromatic and high coherence

Laser radiation has three basic properties:

• This means that radiation consists of only one wavelength.
• High coherence and hence coincidental phase.
• The laser waves are roughly aligned due to coherence.

Due to these properties, laser beams are used in many areas of modern materials processing. Intensity is maintained for a long time due to coherence and can be further combined through the lens. The laser beam strikes the surface of the material, is absorbed and thus heats the material. Due to this heat result, the material can be removed or completely evaporated. Thus, it is possible to engrave, mark or cut a number of materials. Due to these properties, laser beams are used in many areas of modern materials processing. Intensity is maintained for a long time due to coherence and can be further combined through the lens. The laser beam strikes the surface of the material, is absorbed and thus heats the material. Due to this heat result, the material can be removed or completely evaporated. Thus, it is possible to engrave, mark or cut a number of materials.

The active laser marker medium is located on the inside of the laser. Depending on the design, the laser medium can consist of a mixture of gases (CO2 laser), of a crystal body (YAG laser) or glass fiber (fiber laser). When energy is fed into the laser medium through a pump, it emits energy in the form of radiation.

The active laser medium is located between the two mirrors, the 'resonator'. One of these mirrors is a one-way mirror. The active medium laser radiation is amplified in the resonator. At the same time, only certain radiation can leave the resonator through the one-way mirror. This bundled radiation is laser radiation. The laser beam strikes the surface of the material, is absorbed and thus heats the material. Due to this heat result, the material can be removed or completely evaporated. Thus, it is possible to engrave, mark or cut a number of materials.

The active laser marker medium is located on the inside of the laser. Depending on the design, the laser medium can consist of a mixture of gases (CO2 laser), of a crystal body (YAG laser) or glass fiber (fiber laser). When energy is fed into the laser medium through a pump, it emits energy in the form of radiation.

The active laser medium is located between the two mirrors, the 'resonator'. One of these mirrors is a one-way mirror. The active medium laser radiation is amplified in the resonator.

In the following video, we will roughly show you the operating principle and structure of the laser.

The term 'Laser'

LASER is an acronym and stands for 'Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation'. In simple terms: Light particles (photons) are excited by their current emitting energy in the form of light. This light is bundled into a beam. Thus, a laser beam is formed. This bundled radiation is laser radiation. The laser beam strikes the surface of the material, is absorbed and thus heats the material. Due to this heat result, the material can be removed or completely evaporated. Thus, it is possible to engrave, mark or cut a number of materials.

The active laser medium is located between the two mirrors, the 'resonator'. One of these mirrors is a one-way mirror. The active medium laser radiation is amplified in the resonator.

The active laser marker medium is located on the inside of the laser. Depending on the design, the laser medium can consist of a mixture of gases (CO2 laser), of a crystal body (YAG laser) or glass fiber (fiber laser).