1.5 Micron Lasers
1.5-micron flashlamp-pumped lasers are highly valuable in medical, defense, and remote sensing applications because wavelengths near 1.5 µm fall within the absolute peak of the “eye-safe” laser window. Laser energy at this wavelength is heavily absorbed by the cornea and vitreous humor of the eye before it can focus onto and damage the sensitive retina, enabling safe operation in open-air environments. Flashlamp-pumped Erbium-doped glass (Er:glass) and Chromium-co-doped materials are uniquely engineered to achieve high pulse energies and peak powers in the gigawatt range. Because 1.5 µm light penetrates deeper into water-rich tissues than 3 µm light, it allows for deep volumetric heating rather than superficial ablation, making it the premier choice for subsurface modification and long-distance, eye-safe propagation.
| Laser | Wavelength (µm) | Energy (J) | Water Absorption Coeff (1/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Er,Cr,Yb:Glass* | 1.54 | >3 | 12 |
| Er:YLF* | 1.50 | Ask | 20 |
| Er:YAG* | 1.64 | >1 | 5 |
Blog Posts
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TK1 Passively Q-Switched 1.3 µm Laser
We are glad to announce a partnership with Kane OE in the development of a 1.3 µm laser capable of operating with pulse duration 1-2 ns, 20 kHz, and 7 […]