A green laser emits light around 532 nanometers (nm), leveraging the human eye's high sensitivity to this wavelength, making it appear much brighter and more visible than other colors, even at lower power. Commonly produced via frequency doubling in solid-state systems (DPSS), green lasers offer excellent beam quality for precision alignment, targeting, and marking, used in everything from laser pointers and astronomy to medical treatments (dermatology, BPH surgery) and underwater mapping (LiDAR).
Green Laser
Overview
Key Characteristics & Technology
- Wavelength: Primarily 532 nm, within the visible green spectrum.
- Visibility: Exceptionally high due to peak human eye sensitivity in the green (520–570 nm) range, allowing for longer-distance visibility.
- Generation: Often created by frequency-doubling infrared lasers (like Nd:YAG) to produce the green output.
- Types: Available as continuous wave (CW) or pulsed, with solid-state diodes enabling newer, compact options.
Common Applications
- Alignment & Leveling: Used in construction, surveying, and astronomy for precise pointing.
- Presentation: Highly visible pointers for lectures and events.
- Marking & Engraving: Ideal for marking plastics, metals (gold, copper), and heat-sensitive materials with minimal damage.
- Medical: Dermatology (veins, skin conditions), physical therapy, dentistry, and prostate surgery (GreenLight Laser Therapy).
- LiDAR: Underwater bathymetry due to high visibility in water.
- Spectroscopy: Fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy.