Kinds of Gas Lasers

There are many different kinds of lasers out there. Each different kind has its own practical use. Even the lasers that many people play around with have practical uses, as will be mentioned. I don't want to be too technical, but here is a list of some of the different kinds of gas lasers and their common applications for use:

• Helium-neon lasers- this kind of laser is used for things like barcode scanning, alignment, holography, interferometry, spectroscopy, and optical demonstrations.
  
• Argon lasers- used for retinal photo therapy (for diabetes), lithography, confocal microscopy, and for pumping other lasers.
• Xenon ion lasers- This kind of laser is mainly used for scientific research.
• Krypton lasers- also used for scientific research.
• Nitrogen lasers- used for pumping dye lasers, taking air pollution measurements, and for other scientific research.
• Carbon dioxide lasers- used for processing material like cutting and welding, and for some kinds of surgeries.
  
• Carbon monoxide lasers- also used for processing certain materials, and for photoacoustic spectroscopy.
  
• Excimer lasers- used for laser surgeries such as laser eye surgery, or lasik surgery, and for ultraviolet lithography.

Lasers have helped us in so many ways that it is a technology that cannot be ignored. Scientists are constantly research other kinds of lasers and more variations of how to use them in a beneficial way.