Microlasers Can Anticipate Expanding Market

Gordon Mitchard, Uniphase Lasers

The air-cooled argon-ion laser remains the most widely used source OEM applications requiring blue or green light. However, its shortcomings in efficiency, size, operating life and cost have inhibited the growth and development of applications. Advances in solid-state lasers, particularly the microchip laser (“microlaser”), have enabled some expansion of laser technology into new fields, and further market progress is expected.