2. Laser beam properties
Although made up of ordinary photons, the laser beam possesses properties that are inaccessible to traditional light sources.
2.1 Directivity
The cavity is narrow and elongated, and only photons propagating exactly along the cavity axis benefit from amplification greater than losses: the laser beam is therefore totally directional. In fact, its divergence is very often close to the limit imposed by diffraction.
A laser beam can :
propagate over long distances while remaining collimated;
be focused at a point whose dimensions are limited by diffraction.
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
This article is included in
Mechanical and dimensional measurements
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Laser beam properties
Bibliography
Events
Exhibitions
Espace Laser Paris
Exhibition of laser equipment and techniques for industry
Opto
European trade fair for optical solutions
...Standards and norms
- Acceptance tests for Nd:YAG laser beam welding machines – Machines with fiber-optic beam transport – Part 1: laser assembly (classification index: A89-702-1). - NF EN ISO 22827-1 - 01-06
- Optics and photonics – Lasers and laser-related equipment – Vocabulary and symbols (classification index: S10-105). - NF EN ISO 11145 - 10-08
- Acceptance testing of quality laser beam welding and cutting machines CO2 – Part...
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference