What nm is a red laser?
Share
Wavelength of Red Lasers
Lasers, which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, are devices that emit highly focused beams of light. Red lasers are among the most common types of lasers, widely used in various applications such as pointers, scanners, and measurement devices.
Typical Wavelength Range
The wavelength of a red laser typically falls within the range of 620 to 750 nanometers (nm). Within this spectrum, different shades of red light are produced, with shorter wavelengths corresponding to brighter, more orange-red colors, and longer wavelengths appearing as darker, more burgundy red.
Common Red Laser Wavelength
The most common wavelength for a basic red laser, such as those found in laser pointers and barcode scanners, is approximately 650 nm.
Specialized Red Lasers
Specialized red lasers, such as those used for certain types of medical procedures or for high-resolution spectroscopy, may operate at slightly different wavelengths, such as 632.8 nm for helium-neon lasers or around 690 nm for some types of semiconductor diode lasers.
Importance of Wavelength
The specific wavelength of a red laser determines its applications and its visibility to the human eye, as well as its interaction with various materials. For instance, shorter wavelengths typically have higher photon energies, which can affect their penetration and absorption characteristics. The visibility of lasers also peaks around the green spectrum, which means red lasers, while still visible, are not as bright to human perception as green lasers of a similar power level.
Summary
- Red lasers commonly operate within the 620 to 750 nm wavelength range.
- The most ubiquitous red lasers have a wavelength of about 650 nm.
- The exact wavelength used varies depending on the application and required properties of the laser.