Laser Glossary
Laser Fundamentals
Laser
Meaning: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Example: A device that generates a coherent beam of light through stimulated emission
Active Medium
Meaning: The material in a laser that emits light when excited
Example: CO2 gas in a CO2 laser, or neodymium-doped crystal in an Nd:YAG laser
Optical Cavity
Meaning: The space between mirrors where laser light is amplified
Example: The tube containing gas in a CO2 laser
Pump Source
Meaning: Energy source that excites the active medium
Example: Electrical discharge in a gas laser, or flashlamp in a solid-state laser
Laser Types
CO2 Laser
Meaning: A gas laser using carbon dioxide as the active medium
Example: Commonly used for cutting and engraving non-metallic materials
Fiber Laser
Meaning: Laser where the active medium is an optical fiber doped with rare-earth elements
Example: Ytterbium-doped fiber laser used for metal cutting and welding
Diode Laser
Meaning: Semiconductor laser that directly converts electrical energy into light
Example: Used in laser pointers and as pump sources for other lasers
Nd:YAG Laser
Meaning: Solid-state laser using neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal
Example: Used in materials processing and medical applications
Laser Properties
Wavelength
Meaning: The distance between successive crests of the laser wave
Example: 10.6 μm for a CO2 laser, 1064 nm for an Nd:YAG laser
Power
Meaning: The rate at which energy is emitted by the laser
Example: 100 W continuous wave laser for cutting thin materials
Pulse Duration
Meaning: The length of time for a single laser pulse
Example: Nanosecond pulses for laser marking, femtosecond pulses for ultra-precise machining
Beam Quality
Meaning: A measure of how well a laser beam can be focused
Example: M² (M-squared) value, with M²=1 being ideal
Laser Optics
Focal Length
Meaning: Distance from a lens to its focal point
Example: 50 mm focal length lens for focusing a laser beam
Beam Divergence
Meaning: The angle at which the laser beam spreads
Example: 1 mrad divergence for a well-collimated laser beam
Beam Expander
Meaning: Optical system that increases the diameter of a laser beam
Example: Used to reduce beam divergence or increase spot size
Laser Processing
Cutting
Meaning: Using a laser to separate materials
Example: Cutting sheet metal with a fiber laser
Engraving
Meaning: Using a laser to create marks or designs on a surface
Example: Engraving logos on products with a CO2 laser
Welding
Meaning: Joining materials using a laser beam
Example: Welding car body parts in automotive manufacturing
Marking
Meaning: Creating permanent marks on materials with a laser
Example: Marking serial numbers on electronic components
Laser Trimming
Meaning: Laser trimming is a precision process using a laser beam to remove small amounts of material from a component, typically fine-tuning electrical or mechanical properties.
Examples: Trimming of excessive material from radial shaft seals outer and inner diameters.
Laser Micro-structuring
Meaning: Laser micro-structuring is a technique that uses laser beams to create precise, microscale patterns or structures on material surfaces, often to impart specific functional properties.
Examples: Creating micro-textures on metal surfaces to reduce friction and improve tribological properties
Laser Safety
Laser Safety Officer (LSO)
Meaning: Person responsible for overseeing laser safety in a facility
Example: An LSO implementing safety protocols in a manufacturing plant
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Meaning: Safety gear worn to protect against laser hazards
Example: Laser safety goggles with appropriate optical density for the laser wavelength
Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ)
Meaning: Area where laser radiation exceeds the maximum permissible exposure
Example: Defining the NHZ around a laser cutting machine
Laser Safety Classes
Class 1
Meaning: Lasers that are safe under reasonably foreseeable conditions of operation
Example: Laser printers, CD players
Class 1M
Meaning: Lasers that are safe for the naked eye, but may be hazardous if viewed with optical instruments
Example: Some laser diodes used in fiber optic communication systems
Class 2
Meaning: Visible lasers (400-700 nm) that are safe for accidental viewing but potentially hazardous for deliberate staring
Example: Laser pointers, barcode scanners
Class 2M
Meaning: Visible lasers that are safe for accidental viewing but may be hazardous if viewed with optical instruments
Example: Some laser light show projectors
Class 3R
Meaning: Lasers that are potentially hazardous under some direct viewing conditions, but with a lower risk than Class 3B
Example: Some laser measuring tools, laser gun sights
Class 3B
Meaning: Lasers that are hazardous for direct beam viewing and specular reflections, but generally not for diffuse reflections
Example: Many research lasers, some laser light shows
Class 4
Meaning: High-power lasers that are hazardous for direct viewing, specular and diffuse reflections, and can cause fires
Example: Surgical lasers, industrial cutting lasers
Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ)
Meaning: The space within which the level of direct, reflected, or scattered radiation may exceed the applicable MPE
Example: The area around a Class 4 laser where protective measures are required
Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)
Meaning: The highest level of laser radiation to which a person may be exposed without hazardous effects or biological changes
Example: For visible lasers, 25.4 W/m² for 0.25 seconds of exposure
Optical Density (OD)
Meaning: A measure of the attenuation provided by laser protective eyewear
Example: OD 5 eyewear blocks 99.999% of incident laser light
Laser Machine Components
Laser Source
Meaning: The device that generates the laser beam
Example: CO2 laser tube, fiber laser module, or diode laser
Beam Delivery System
Meaning: Components that guide the laser beam from the source to the workpiece
Example: Mirrors, lenses, fiber optics
Motion System
Meaning: Mechanical components that move the laser beam or workpiece
Example: Gantry, linear stages, rotary axes
Control System
Meaning: Electronics and software that manage machine operations
Example: CNC controller, user interface, motion control software
Laser Machine Installation Terminology
Footprint
Meaning: The floor space required for the laser machine
Example: A 4' x 8' area needed for a medium-sized laser cutter
Utilities
Meaning: Services required to operate the laser machine
Example: Electrical power, compressed air, water cooling, exhaust ventilation
Laser Safety Enclosure
Meaning: A protective housing that contains the laser radiation
Example: Class 1 enclosure that prevents laser exposure during operation
Beam Path
Meaning: The route the laser beam travels from source to workpiece
Example: A series of mirrors and lenses that direct the beam to the cutting head
Safety and Compliance
Laser Safety Officer (LSO)
Meaning: Person responsible for overseeing laser safety in a facility
Example: An LSO implementing safety protocols and training programs
Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ)
Meaning: Area where laser radiation exceeds the maximum permissible exposure
Example: Defining the NHZ around a high-power laser cutting machine
Interlocks
Meaning: Safety devices that prevent accidental exposure to laser radiation
Example: Sensors that shut off the laser when access panels are opened