Infrared is usually divided into 3 spectral regions: near, mid and far-infrared. The boundaries between the near, mid and far-infrared regions are not agreed upon and can vary. The main factor that determines which wavelengths are included in each of these three infrared regions is the type of detector technology used for gathering infrared light.
Near-infrared light is transmitted and focused to the sensitive retina in the same way as visible light, while not triggering the protective blink reflex.
The short-wavelength infrared is relatively eye-safe since such light is absorbed in the eye before it can reach the retina. Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers for optical fiber communications, for example, operate in that region.
The long-wavelength, infrared followed by the far infrared (FIR), which ranges to 1 mm and is sometimes understood to start at 8 μm already. This spectral region is used for thermal imaging.
The mid-infrared spectral range is understood to include wavelengths from 3 μm to 8 μm. There are many absorption lines e.g. of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). This spectral region is interesting for highly sensitive trace gas spectroscopy.
The mid-infrared lasers are of particular interest for in-situ and remote sensing of material composition as many chemical species have absorption features in this wavelength range that are associated with molecular rotational-vibrational transitions. These include molecules such as H2O, CO2, N2O, CH4, CO, NH3, NOx, HCl, and many other compounds. Currently, in the mid-IR range, CO2, and solid-state lasers dominate in materials processing and medical treatment applications.
Recent developments in quantum-cascade laser technology, resulting in room temperature, high power, and single-mode laser sources, allow access to much stronger absorption bands of CO and CO2 in the mid-infrared lasers.
Important CO2 laser characteristics are high unsaturated gain, high-power output, and good efficiency.
Optromix InfraLight-100/200/SP are a CO2 laser demonstrates outstanding results in processing different types of materials with varied thickness. Mid-infrared CO2 lasers operate in a quasi-sealed operation mode, a gas mixture ensures the extended lifetime of the laser. We offer the most effective CO2 lasers with minimum maintenance required, which can be used for a wide range of applications, including marking, engraving non-metallic surface, holding in circuit boards, surface cleaning, and laser for LIDAR. Moreover, it produces laser wavelength important for spectroscopy, specifically IR spectroscopy.
In Optromix, we aim to provide the best experience to our customers, and we will configure your laser system exactly according to your requirements.
