Advantages of Laser | Disadvantages of Laser

This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Laser and its types. It mentions benefits or advantages of laser and drawbacks or disadvantages of laser.

Laser Introduction:
Laser term stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is very intense beam of light or infrared radiation. It has following characteristics or properties.
•  Monochromatic i.e. consisting of one wavelength. This means laser can be focused into smaller area for longer distances without any reduction in the power intensity of the laser beam.
•  Coherent i.e. all parts are in phase. It means laser emits coherent light. Hence it is possible to use laser in cutting and lithography.
•  Collimated i.e. all parts travel in one and same direction. It means laser follow narrow path over greater distances.

Figure depicts laser diode. Refer LED verus Laser diode for more information.

Benefits or advantages of Laser

Following are the benefits or advantages of Laser:
➨It has high information carrying capacity and hence is used in communication domain for transmission of information.
➨It is free from electro-magnetic interference. This phenomenon is used in optical wireless communication through free space for telecommunication as well as computer networking.
➨It has very minimum signal leakage.
➨Laser based fiber optic cables are very light in weight and hence are used in fiber optic communication system.
➨It is less damaging compare to X-rays and hence widely used in medical field for treatment of cancers. It is used to burn small tumors on eye surface and also on tissue surface.
➨High intensity and low divergence of laser is used for knocking down the enemy tank with accurate range determination. For this purpose neodymium and carbon dioxide laser types are used. Laser range finder is also used in several defence areas for medium range upto 10 Km.
➨Single laser beam can be focused in areas smaller than 1 micro diameter. One square micro area is needed to store 1 bit of data. This helps in storing 100 million data in one square cm. Due to this fact, laser is being used in laser CDs and DVDs for data storage in the form of audio, video, documents etc.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of Laser

Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Laser:
➨It is expensive and hence more expenditure to the patients requiring laser based treatments.
➨It is costly to maintain and hence more cost to doctors and hospital management.
➨Increases complexity and duration of the treatment based on laser devices or equipments.
➨Lasers can not be used in many commonly performed dental procedures e.g. to fill cavities between teeth etc.
➨Laser beam is very delicate to handle in cutting process. The slight mistake in adjusting distance and temperature may lead to burning or discoloring of the metals. Moreover it requires higher power during the cutting process.
➨It is harmful to human beings and often burns them during contacts.

• Refer Laser basics and types >> and advantages and disadvantages of semiconductor laser >>.