Consider More than Just Heat Load
Aaron J. Hand, Senior Editor/Technology
Some like it hot. Even some lasers don't mind the heat as much as others. But the laser user that disregards thermal management altogether is asking for trouble.
Laser users might not put a whole lot of thought into cooling their systems, relying on setups that have existed for years. But a number of issues -- space constraints, environmental concerns, increasing efficiency needs -- may lead to the need to reconsider cooling options. A laser chiller is one option particularly suited to higher-power lasers, and buyers must keep various parameters in mind when shopping for a chiller. The first, though, is whether a chiller is even the right choice.