Carbon-dioxide laser

The Carbon-dioxide laser (kahr-buhn dahy-ok-sahyd ley-zer, from the Latin carbo meaning "coal" and the Greek di- meaning "two" and oxide meaning "oxygen compound") is a type of laser that uses a gas mixture primarily composed of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Function

The carbon dioxide in the laser is electrically stimulated to produce a powerful infrared light, which can be used for various applications. The light produced by a carbon-dioxide laser is in the infrared part of the spectrum and is invisible to the human eye.

Applications

Carbon-dioxide lasers are commonly used in industrial applications, such as cutting and welding. They are also used in medical applications, particularly in surgery, due to their ability to vaporize tissue cleanly and with minimal damage to surrounding areas.

Types

There are several types of carbon-dioxide lasers, including continuous wave lasers, pulsed lasers, and superpulsed lasers. Each type has its own specific applications and advantages.

Related Terms

Laser: A device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation.
Carbon Dioxide: A colorless and odorless gas that is vital to life on Earth.
Infrared: A type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than those of visible light but shorter than those of radio waves.
Surgery: A medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate or treat a pathological condition such as a disease or injury.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Carbon-dioxide laser
Wikipedia's article - Carbon-dioxide laser

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Carbon-dioxide laser