Lasers and Light Sources: Industrial Lasers

Mark Keirstead, Spectra-Physics Lasers

The market for industrial lasers has largely been dominated by high-power CO₂ and lamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers. These devices have provided cost-effective access to high-power infrared and visible laser emission for applications that include cutting, drilling, welding, heat treating and marking.

In the coming years, the laser marketplace will see significant gains for three relative newcomers in the industrial laser gallery: High-power semiconductor lasers, diode-pumped solid-state lasers and ultrafast lasers will all make inroads in industrial infrared and visible laser applications.