Argon ion lasers (AR lasers) are very powerful gas lasers. They are able to generate multiple watts of optical power in a high quality blue or green beam.
The core component of an argon ion laser is a beryllium oxide ceramic tube that is filled with argon gas that creates a dense plasma of argon ions (AR+) between two hollow electrodes when subjected to intense electric discharge. By better confining the plasma through the use of a magnetic field generated by a solenoid, the overall output power can be increased.
A typical 1 meter argon ion laser can generate between 10 and 20 watts of output power in the green spectral region at 514.5nm, using tens of kilowatts of electric power. The voltage drop across the tube can be as high as a few hundred volts, or as low as 100 volts, while the current can be in the tens of amperes. The dissipated hate must be removed via a water flow around the tube. Many closed-circle systems require a chiller, which adds to the power consumption.
The wall-plug efficiency is very low, in most cases below 0.1%. There are smaller argon lasers that are capable of generating in the tens of milliwatts of output from several hundred watts of electricity.
By rotating an intracavity prism, the ar+ laser can be switched to other wavelengths such as 457.9 nm, 488 nm, or 351 nm (blue, blue-green, and ultraviolet respectively). The 514.5 nm line achieves the highest power output. Without the use of an intracavity prism, argon ion lasers tend to output various wavelengths simultaneously and have a tendency for multi-line operation.
Krypton lasers are a similar noble gas ion laser to the argon ion lasers.
Uses
Mutli-watt argion ion lasers are used for many commercial and industrial applications as well for laser light shows. Frequency-doubled diode-pumped solid-state lasers are a rival for argon ion lasers. Frequency-doubled diode-pumped solid-state ar+ lasers have longer lifetimes and are far more power efficient, but they are also much more expensive. An argon tube have a life expectancy in the order of a few thousand hours. In any case, an argon ion laser might be preferable if usage is limited to a certain number of hours, while a diode-pumped solid-state laser would be better suited for long-term operation.
Safety
Because of the high power output of an argon ion laser and the high voltage applied across the tube, some obvious safety concerns exist. Proper training is vital for safe use and operators should always handle the equipment properly and with care. Never look directly into the beam as severe eye damage, and even blindness, will occur.
The core component of an argon ion laser is a beryllium oxide ceramic tube that is filled with argon gas that creates a dense plasma of argon ions (AR+) between two hollow electrodes when subjected to intense electric discharge. By better confining the plasma through the use of a magnetic field generated by a solenoid, the overall output power can be increased.
A typical 1 meter argon ion laser can generate between 10 and 20 watts of output power in the green spectral region at 514.5nm, using tens of kilowatts of electric power. The voltage drop across the tube can be as high as a few hundred volts, or as low as 100 volts, while the current can be in the tens of amperes. The dissipated hate must be removed via a water flow around the tube. Many closed-circle systems require a chiller, which adds to the power consumption.
The wall-plug efficiency is very low, in most cases below 0.1%. There are smaller argon lasers that are capable of generating in the tens of milliwatts of output from several hundred watts of electricity.
By rotating an intracavity prism, the ar+ laser can be switched to other wavelengths such as 457.9 nm, 488 nm, or 351 nm (blue, blue-green, and ultraviolet respectively). The 514.5 nm line achieves the highest power output. Without the use of an intracavity prism, argon ion lasers tend to output various wavelengths simultaneously and have a tendency for multi-line operation.
Krypton lasers are a similar noble gas ion laser to the argon ion lasers.
Uses
Mutli-watt argion ion lasers are used for many commercial and industrial applications as well for laser light shows. Frequency-doubled diode-pumped solid-state lasers are a rival for argon ion lasers. Frequency-doubled diode-pumped solid-state ar+ lasers have longer lifetimes and are far more power efficient, but they are also much more expensive. An argon tube have a life expectancy in the order of a few thousand hours. In any case, an argon ion laser might be preferable if usage is limited to a certain number of hours, while a diode-pumped solid-state laser would be better suited for long-term operation.
Safety
Because of the high power output of an argon ion laser and the high voltage applied across the tube, some obvious safety concerns exist. Proper training is vital for safe use and operators should always handle the equipment properly and with care. Never look directly into the beam as severe eye damage, and even blindness, will occur.