The Difference Between Gas Tube and Diode Laser

[Maxi3D]

I have only been on this board for a short time, but I have notice that there are two different ways of producing laser. One by using gasses like HeNe, CO2 or Helium in a tube and the other using diode. I would like to know what's the difference between a laser produced by either gas or diode. Are the gas laser better than diode? Do gas laser have a longer life span than diode?

I searched this board but I was not able to find any answer, so if this topic has been talked to death, please accept my apology.

 

[daguin]

Here's a start

Olympus FluoView Resource Center: Introduction to Lasers

Peace,
dave

 

[Maxi3D]

Here's a start

Olympus FluoView Resource Center: Introduction to Lasers

Peace,
dave

ouch, OUCH! Too much infomation! Brain freeze. This article gives very good basic info on how laser works but most of the info just flew over my head. :thinking: Eventhough, it explained little on the difference between gas and diode lasers.

 

[Cyparagon]

There are quite a few more than just gas and direct injection. There's also solid state, dye, and chemical to name a few.

 

[Maxi3D]

There are quite a few more than just gas and direct injection. There's also solid state, dye, and chemical to name a few.

Yes, but mostly I just want to know the difference between gas and diode because they are commonly used by laser hobbyist on this board.

 

[daguin]

ouch, OUCH! Too much infomation! Brain freeze. This article gives very good basic info on how laser works but most of the info just flew over my head. :thinking: Eventhough, it explained little on the difference between gas and diode lasers.

Sorry Dude. There are no "Cliff's Notes" for lasers. Lasers are a new world for you. You are going to have to learn a new language. If it was easy EVERYBODY would be doing it. Then what fun would it be?


Thousands have done it before you, so you CAN do it. However, if you WANT to do it, you will have to begin a piece at a time. I gave you a start. Learn what you can from that and return with more focused questions.

If all you want is to be spoon fed then here is what I would tell my 8 year old grandson in answer to your question:

Gas lasers excite atoms in a gas. Diode lasers excite atoms in a solid.

You can also build from that statement. The point is, if you want the "wikipedia" answer, go to Wikipedia

Peace,
dave

 

[Emc2]

Here is a cool basic description of the laser

Lasers



-T

 

[Switch]

GENERALLY: diodes have bad beam specs, life is about the same, different wavelengths for each, and the size issue and power consumtion (I'm just gonna let you guess which is smaller and more power efficient)

 

[Laser_Ben]

VERY good post with the Olympus intro. That is one of the best basic intro pages I have seen!

 

[Maxi3D]

Hey daguin! you are one condescending dude.

Sorry Dude. There are no "Cliff's Notes" for lasers. Lasers are a new world for you. You are going to have to learn a new language. If it was easy EVERYBODY would be doing it. Then what fun would it be?


Thousands have done it before you, so you CAN do it. However, if you WANT to do it, you will have to begin a piece at a time. I gave you a start. Learn what you can from that and return with more focused questions.

If all you want is to be spoon fed then here is what I would tell my 8 year old grandson in answer to your question:

Gas lasers excite atoms in a gas. Diode lasers excite atoms in a solid.

You can also build from that statement. The point is, if you want the "wikipedia" answer, go to Wikipedia

Peace,
dave

 

[daguin]

Hey daguin! you are one condescending dude.

You have no idea . . .

Peace,
dave

 

[GooeyGus]

Who wants a diode...

....when you can have gas? :evil::evil::evil:

 

[davidgdg]

You have no idea . . .

Peace,
dave

LOL.

Wish I'd read the FluoView before starting the Hecht book!

 

[qumefox]

Who wants a diode...

....when you can have gas? :evil::evil::evil:

The people who need to move them, that's who.

Gas lasers are freakin awesome. It's all I dealt with up until the past few months really. But diodes are a LOT more convenient.

And lifespan is exactly the same for diodes and gas lasers. Which is, it varies considerably depending on the type of laser, and how it's used. The harder they're driven, the shorter the lifespan.

One difference though between the two. Most people (here, anyway) generally run diodes higher than what the manufacturer specifies as maximum limits. On gas lasers, it's generally advisable NOT to attempt that. With most gas lasers, such things generally result in loss of 'magic' smoke, dead expensive lasers, and sometimes, fires.