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Published on: November 22, 2019
Laser: Definition and technology
Frederic Panthier1, Laurent Berthe2, Olivier Traxer1
1Endolase Lab, GRC n(o) 20-Sorbonne Université, PIMM Lab Arts et Métiers ParisTech, 75020 Paris, France; Service d'Urologie, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, 75020 Paris, France; PIMM, UMR 8006 CNRS-Arts et Métiers ParisTech, 151, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Endourology Technology Section of European Association of Urology (EAU), Arnhem, The Netherlands; Progressive Endourological Association for Research and Leading Solutions (PEARLS), Paris, France.
Lasers, or Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, produce monochromatic and unidirectional light. Their properties, like peak power and pulse duration, are crucial for laser-matter interactions in various applications.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Optics
- Photonics
Background:
- LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
- Understanding the fundamental principles of laser technology is essential for its diverse applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the core principles and essential components of laser technology.
- To provide a foundational understanding of how lasers operate.
Main Methods:
- A non-systematic literature review was performed.
- Searches were conducted across PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases.
- A narrative synthesis of relevant publications was presented.
Main Results:
- Lasers emit modified light composed of photons with identical wavelength (monochromaticity) and direction.
- Laser radiation is generated via stimulated emission within an optical cavity, utilizing an amplifying medium and a pumping source.
- Laser emissions can be continuous or pulsed, with pulsed modes characterized by energy, duration, and frequency, influencing instantaneous and average power.
Conclusions:
- Lasers produce monochromatic and unidirectional light, emitted either continuously or in pulses.
- Key beam properties such as peak power, pulse duration, energy, and frequency significantly impact laser-matter interactions.
- The characteristics of laser emissions are critical for their effective use in medical and non-medical fields.
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