Red Lasers

Author: the photonics expert Dr. Rüdiger Paschotta

This article deals with lasers emitting in the red spectral region, i.e. with a wavelength roughly around 625–700 nm. The following types of red lasers are the most common:

• Red laser diodes, based on, e.g., GaInP or AlGaInP quantum wells, are available with different output power levels, ranging from a few milliwatts (single emitters, VCSELs) to the order of 100 W from diode bars. Typical wavelengths are 635, 650 and 670 nm. The shorter wavelengths have significantly better visibility for the human eye, but are more difficult to generate efficiently. Red laser diodes are often used for laser pointers.
• Various gas lasers can emit red light. In particular, helium–neon lasers are suitable for smaller powers at 632.8 nm, whereas krypton lasers can generate high powers at 647.1 nm.
• Lasers based on praseodymium-doped (and sometimes ytterbium-codoped) ZBLAN fibers can emit around 635 nm. Hundreds of milliwatts of output power and very high beam quality are achievable. One may use a blue laser for pumping, but it is also possible to realize upconversion lasing with infrared pumping.
• Red bulk lasers can be based on, e.g., laser crystals of ruby (chromium-doped sapphire, Cr³⁺:Al₂O₃), and also on Pr³⁺:YLF and Pr³⁺:LiLuF₄ [8]. Titanium–sapphire lasers emit mostly in the infrared region, but can be tuned down to roughly 650 nm.
• There are various types of frequency-doubled lasers, where the actual laser emits in the 1.2–1.3-μm spectral region and a frequency doubler converts this radiation into red light. For example, 660-nm light can be generated with frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers, 656.5 nm with Nd:YLF, or 671 nm with Nd:YVO₄ or Nd:GdVO₄. Output powers of multiple watts can be obtained with high beam quality.
• Some red laser sources are based on other nonlinear frequency conversion devices, involving e.g. sum frequency generation or parametric oscillation. For example, an OPO with intracavity sum frequency generation can generate red light [3].
• There are optically pumped semiconductor lasers (VECSELs) which can either directly emit red light [5], or generate red light via intracavity second-harmonic generation [7].

Light from lasers operating at somewhat longer wavelengths, such as 750 or even 800 nm, can still be perceived as red light, if it is sufficiently intense. (There is no sharp boundary between the visible and the infrared spectral regions.) It can, however, be hazardous to view such light because such intensity levels required for good visibility can damage the retina.

Applications of Red Lasers

Red lasers are applied e.g. as laser pointers, for bar scanners and other laser scanners, for optical data recording or retrieval (e.g. on DVDs), for laser projection displays, for interferometers, for pumping of certain solid-state lasers (e.g. Cr:LiSAF or Cr:LiCAF), and in medical therapies (e.g. photodynamic therapy).

More to Learn

Encyclopedia articles:

• lasers
• helium–neon lasers
• laser diodes
• frequency doubling
• blue lasers