Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New diamond laser 20 times more powerful
phys.org ^ | August 13, 2015 | Provided by: Macquarie University

Posted on 08/13/2015 1:15:19 PM PDT by Red Badger

Credit: Dr Robert Williams ===============================================================================================================================================

Researchers from the MQ Photonics Research Centre joined with fiber laser experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena, Germany to demonstrate a diamond laser 20 times more powerful than previous diamond lasers.

Average power levels were less than 20 Watts, with the new laser now providing up to 380 Watts of output power – the equivalent of approximately 400,000 laser pointers and enough power to easily cut through steel.

High-power diamond lasers are well-suited to applications that require beaming power over long distances, such as optical communications in space, laser ranging, and the tracking and removal of space debris.

Diamond is a relatively new material for creating laser beams, but it is rapidly becoming a technology leader in terms of generating powerful, high-brightness beams at wavelengths, or 'colours', where traditional lasers are not able to shine.

"Just as x-rays pass through flesh to enable us to see bones within a body, different colours of laser radiation can interact or be transmitted by different target materials," said Dr Robert Williams, the lead researcher on the project.

The wavelength of the new diamond laser, at 1240nm, has high transmission through the atmosphere, and is safer to use because of its reduced transmission through the front of the eye and lower risk of damage to the retina.

Diamond lasers have progressed enormously over the last few years due to advances in synthesis of high quality diamond – better than what can be obtained naturally.

"Diamond is an ancient material, yet only now many of its extraordinary properties are becoming evident. High power lasers is one such area that diamond looks like providing a major advantage," said Rich Mildren, Associate Professor in the MQ Photonics Research Centre.

"Diamond crystals seems to naturally fit to high power fiber lasers. It's interesting to see that such a development is now possible and I'm sure much exciting research will follow," said Thomas Schreiber, group leader for the fiber laser research at the Fraunhofer IOF Jena, Germany.

"Around the time of its invention, the laser was famously labelled 'a solution in need of a problem', but now it has penetrated so many aspects of industry, science and our daily lives that the number of applications are countless. A key to unlocking many more applications of lasers will be the development of high-brightness beams at new wavelengths, and diamond is providing just that," said Dr Williams.

Explore further: Made to order diamonds hold key to stunning laser discoveries

More information: "Efficient Raman frequency conversion of high-power fiber lasers in diamond." Laser & Photon. Rev., 9: 405–411. doi: 10.1002/lpor.201500032


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Science
KEYWORDS: diamond; laser; metal; steel
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-24 next last

1 posted on 08/13/2015 1:15:19 PM PDT by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: rdb3; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; JosephW; Only1choice____Freedom; amigatec; Ernest_at_the_Beach; ...

2 posted on 08/13/2015 1:16:47 PM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux - The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
It's a “Frickin Laser”, thank you. Preferably attached to sharks or il-tempered sea bass.
3 posted on 08/13/2015 1:17:39 PM PDT by blackdog (There is no such thing as healing, only a balance between destructive and constructive forces.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

It will easily cut through steel, yet is safe for the eye. It think I’ll let someone else test it out.


4 posted on 08/13/2015 1:18:46 PM PDT by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

I imagine it has to use an artificial diamond because a natural and flawless diamond is going to be pretty expensive for a mass-market product.


5 posted on 08/13/2015 1:19:27 PM PDT by MeganC (The Republic of The United States of America: 7/4/1776 to 6/26/2015 R.I.P.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Moonman62

Lasers are frequency/materials selective devices in that the materials it is used to cut are reactive to only a certain wavelength of light..................


6 posted on 08/13/2015 1:29:36 PM PDT by Red Badger (READ MY LIPS: NO MORE BUSHES!...............)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Lithium crystals are good too.


7 posted on 08/13/2015 1:38:14 PM PDT by showme_the_Glory ((ILLEGAL: prohibited by law. ALIEN: Owing political allegiance to another country or government))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Isotopically pure diamond has been described as a “thermal superconductor.” The ability to get rid of large amounts of waste heat has always been an essential element of laser design.

The thermal conductivity characteristics of single-isotope diamond crystals was first predicted by an interesting fellow named Russell Seitz, a brilliant guy who worked on various projects at Harvard without ever being an official part of that university.

It would appear that Harvard remedied that situation, because Seitz is now listed as an Emeritus Professor there.


8 posted on 08/13/2015 1:39:41 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Vote GOP: A Slower Handbasket)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: showme_the_Glory

Dilithium Crystals are even better!..............


9 posted on 08/13/2015 1:43:57 PM PDT by Red Badger (READ MY LIPS: NO MORE BUSHES!...............)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Moonman62

Test on missile silos and submarines like Blofeld did in Diamonds Are Forever.


10 posted on 08/13/2015 1:56:37 PM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Lasers are frequency/materials selective devices in that the materials it is used to cut are reactive to only a certain wavelength of light..................

Not quite true.

There are broad-band lasers, dye lasers being one example of such.

11 posted on 08/13/2015 1:57:59 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Vote GOP: A Slower Handbasket)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: wally_bert

12 posted on 08/13/2015 2:00:20 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

At least it isn’t Van Cleef & Arpels.


13 posted on 08/13/2015 2:01:16 PM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

14 posted on 08/13/2015 2:07:06 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Steely Tom
The thermal conductivity characteristics of single-isotope diamond crystals was first predicted by an interesting fellow named Russell Seitz, a brilliant guy who worked on various projects at Harvard without ever being an official part of that university.

He also wrote a number of columns over at Taki's Mag. I recommend "The Strategic Beer Initiative".

15 posted on 08/13/2015 2:11:05 PM PDT by PapaBear3625 (You don't notice it's a police state until the police come for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Steely Tom

Oh, so it’s a tuneable laser!

So you can set it for “STUNE”!................


16 posted on 08/13/2015 2:29:55 PM PDT by Red Badger (READ MY LIPS: NO MORE BUSHES!...............)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Jack Hydrazine

The laser based on the brilliant physicist Dr.Alan Parsons aka the Alan Parsons Project.


17 posted on 08/13/2015 2:40:11 PM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: wally_bert

Riiiiight!


18 posted on 08/13/2015 2:55:11 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Nothing new. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER


19 posted on 08/13/2015 3:03:27 PM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar (Let Kali plead for Kali because one has destroyed her altar!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

The diamond was fake, but Jill St. John was lusciously real.


20 posted on 08/13/2015 3:23:03 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Vote GOP: A Slower Handbasket)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-24 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson