These amazing devices have always captured my attention due to its variety of colors and applications. Initially laser pointers were only introduced in red color but now you can see a wide array of colors even in these like yellow, green, blue and purple. These have different uses and different types of mechanisms to work. So let us talk about colors since it is a bit easy for us to understand in terms of colors rather than wavelengths. All laser work on the principle of Rayleigh scattering which is nothing but the phenomenon of scattering of light by particles much smaller wavelength than light like that of lasers. These are seen most prominently in gases.
The least expensive and commonly available is the deep red colored laser which has a wavelength of around 650 to 670 nanometers. These can usually be found in children's toys as well. These are easily available and work with simple battery power. After red comes the orange colored laser pointers which are more or less same as the deep red ones. Yellow colored laser devices are the next one in the wavelength ranging up to 535 nanometers. Since these are more complex, these are more unstable and require temperature stabilizers as well since they require vigorous cooling. Then there comes the green lasers which are again more complicated since they use laser diodes and requires high power as well. These do not just run with the help of batteries like in the case of deep red lasers. Blue and violet lasers are the latest in technology, introduced in the market only in the year of 2006. These have a wide variety of uses but at the same time are hazardous and should be used carefully.
Deep red lasers used most commonly for army guns as pointers, children's games as well as during presentations as a pointer. The uses of red or orange laser pointers are many. They are also used in simple items during construction works or interior decorations. Due to their high resolution during night as well as daytime, these have turned out to be useful in a lot of outdoor as well as indoor work.
Green lasers have also found a wide variety of uses due to their accuracy. These have become specially a favorite in astronomy study and lectures where these pointers can be used to point at stars since these can be easily embedded in a telescope.
Yellow and purple laser pointers have found a wide range of applications in military forces where these pointers are fitted in the military aircrafts. These are used to distinguish between friendly aircrafts and enemy aircrafts especially during war time or even during nights. Recently these are also being used in the commercial industries where laser beams are used for accurate measurements on large scale projects. Laser high beam torches are also used in hiking and other outdoor activities where these can be used to scare away wild animals during night time. Amongst many other applications, one common application has also been to use different colored laser lights in pubs and clubs which offer spectacular looks to the interiors.