Solid State Lasers

Solid state lasers are types of lasers that produce their light power via solids rather than gases, liquids or chemicals. So, this kind of laser will be made to work by ‘exciting’ a solid such as a crystal or a type of glass rather than a liquid or a gas with a light or diode source. To make a solid state laser the solid itself (such as a garnet, ruby, sapphire or type of glass for example) will be laced with metal ions - these ions will cause the reaction necessary to create laser light from the solid object.

There are a variety of solid objects that can potentially be used to make a laser however only a few are usually used in this process. The ruby is held to be the first solid used in this way in one of the first laser developments. These kinds of lasers can be used in all kinds of applications, big and small, and are generally considered to be one of the most stable types of laser technology.

So, for example, a solid state laser can be used for small everyday purposes such as in presentation laser pointers. These kinds of lasers are also often used in dentistry and medicine. They can, for example, be used to remove tattoos or in laser surgery to break up kidney stones. Solid state lasers can also be used for industrial and military purposes. Here they can, for example, be utilised into missile systems.