subject: Application Of Laser As Measuring Device [print this page] Application Of Laser As Measuring Device Application Of Laser As Measuring Device
A laser is a device that emits coherent light waves through a process called optical amplification. This process, in turn, is based on the induced emission of light particles called photons. The term "laser" is an implied acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". The "light" in the acronym indicates electromagnetic radiation of variable frequencies, not only pertaining to visible light.
Since the development of maser, the predecessor of the laser based on microwaves, the devices that operate at microwave and radio frequencies are called plainly as "masers", and not "microwave lasers" or "radio lasers". Back then, laser was even referred to as "optical maser". However, the term is now obsolete.
There are different kinds of lasers such as infrared lasers, ultraviolet lasers, x-ray lasers, and etc. The light emitted by the laser device is special due to its high degree of both spatial and temporal coherence, which is unmatched by any existing technologies to date.
Spatial coherence, by definition, is the output of light into a narrow beam, which is called a pencil beam. Having this kind of coherence, laser beams can be concentrated into very tiny spots, thus achieving very high irradiation. Laser beams can also be emitted into low divergence beams in order to focus power over large distances.
Temporal coherence, on the other hand, is characterized by a polarized wave in a single frequency at a correlated phase along the beam. A beam produced by a thermal or other light with incoherent sources has instantaneous amplitude and phase that can vary at random depending to time and location, thus giving off a very short coherence. Laser, however, defy this and can be emitted over great distances without losing its power, which gives the possibility of more accurate laser measurement device.
Lasers are one of the most important discoveries of the twentieth century. There are a lot of ubiquitous applications of laser in the modern world, which includes laser-powered consumer electronics, laser medicine, use of laser for law enforcement and military operations, laser lights for entertainment, and laser measurement device.
The first practical use of laser was the barcode scanner found at shops and stores worldwide, which was introduced in 1974. It is followed by the laser disc player, which makes laser as one of the most important components in state-of-the-art consumer electronics. Then, there came laser measurement device, which revolutionized construction and engineering.
