Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
There are a number of gas lasers around, but the helium-Neon (He-Ne) and the Carbon-dioxide (CO2) are probably the best known. The He-Ne is now totally obsolete now since semiconductor lasers appeared and the small CO2 may go the same way soon. This is just a quick look at these two lasers operating.
All lasers have safety issues but the CO2 laser produces an invisible infra-red beam which is hot enough to melt glass. The beam can be reflected from some surfaces and become a hazard. The voltages used to drive these tubes is very high and care must be taken with the power supplies, cabling and connections.
There are a number of gas lasers around, but the helium-Neon (He-Ne) and the Carbon-dioxide (CO2) are probably the best known. The He-Ne is now totally obsolete now since semiconductor lasers appeared and the small CO2 may go the same way soon. This is just a quick look at these two lasers operating.
All lasers have safety issues but the CO2 laser produces an invisible infra-red beam which is hot enough to melt glass. The beam can be reflected from some surfaces and become a hazard. The voltages used to drive these tubes is very high and care must be taken with the power supplies, cabling and connections.
