Laser is a device that produces an intense, coherent and highly directional beam of a single frequency light. It can be transmitted over great distances without being spread.
Application Defence:
i. Lasers are used to find the target, and to measure the range of targets accurately thus enabling first hit capability.
ii. Used for illuminating targets for missiles equipped with electro optic sensors.
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i. Information is transferred from the source to the destination by means of optical fibre cables. Advance communication takes place very fast at the speed of light, a large amount of information can be transmitted through a single fibre at a time and the losses are much less than in metallic use.
ii. Application of laser in data storage has enabled high density of storage in a compact dist. Laser light is used to read instead of a needle, so, the grooves can be made very small.’
Science:
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In spectroscopy lasers have made possible the measurement of weak absorption lines in absorption sector.
i. Excellent tool for diagnosing and inducing chemical and photo-chemical reactions.
ii. Used in separation of isotopes of an element. Industry
iii. Laser welding is used where precise welding of very thin wires or films is required.
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iv. Laser can easily drill through hardest of substances like diamond.
v. Used in aligning structures like bridges, large buildings, tunnels, pipe lines etc.
vi. Laser scanners are used to read barcodes on consumer goods, to check precision equipment in workshop.
vii. Used in computer printers as they enable fast and quality printing.
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Medicine:
Excellent tool for surgery:
Main advantages include (i) prevents bleeding, (ii) reduces the possibility of infection and (iii) does less damage to nearby cells.
Used for welding detached retina, treatment of cataract, glaucoma, cancer, gall bladder and kidney “stones.
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The other important application of laser is holographic (3-D) imaging.