A Laser Pointer, sometimes referred to as a Laser Pen, is an inexpensive small handheld laser. The portability of these devices makes them useful in a variety of applications in fields such as construction, education, and entertainment. They are also accurate enough to be used as laser gun sights. The construction of Laser Pointers varies depending on the color and strength of the laser beam. The invention of the laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) and its subsequent advancements have made the production of laser pointers possible.
The idea of the laser was first proposed by Albert Einstein. Although he never had the chance to develop one, his theories on the properties of light were the building blocks upon which the laser industry was born. Lasers first found there way into electronic, military, and surgical applications but today lasers have become ubiquitous in our daily lives from the grocery store to the classroom. As the cost of producing low power lasers has dropped, Laser Pointers have become widely available in a variety of sizes, outputs, and colors.
The early laser pointers were helium–neon (HeNe) gas lasers and produced a low power output less than 1 milliwatt (mW). Creating a red laser beam by using a red diode is the least expensive method but other colors (wavelengths) can be produced in a variety of ways by directing the beam through a series of lenses, crystals, and filters. Green laser pointers have recently become available through new techniques and are especially popular and practical because at the same given power a green laser pointer will appear brighter than other colors due to the ability of the human eye to perceive the green region of light wavelengths better, especially at low light levels.
Laser pointers generally operate in the range of 1(mW) to 5(mW) and are considered safe. More powerful units can cause permanent eye damage if exposed to the laser beam and many governments and jurisdictions have enacted laws against their sale and limiting their use. The brightness and visibility of the more powerful units makes them excellent tools for signaling in search and rescue situations. However, as the power and range of the laser pointer increases, so does the potential for misuse. There have been many reported instances of laser pointers being directed at aircraft which can cause a dangerous visual disruption to the pilot.
Achieving more output with a highly visible green wavelength allows Laser Pointers to be used in many applications. The laser pointer is common for presentations in classrooms and boardrooms. They are used for measuring and marking in the construction industry, they are used for astronomical presentations to point to star systems in the night sky, and they can be used as an entertaining visual presentation when combined with music and used with smoke and mirror effects.
As laser technology advances and prices continue to drop, expect laser pointers to become more versatile and even more economical.
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