Analysis: Lasers enhance the functionality of many of our gadgets and devices, but what are they and just how much do we use them?
From advanced laboratory applications to fibre optic cables beneath the ocean, laser technology is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, revolutionizing how we interact, heal, and explore the world around us. But what is a laser and how do we use them today? Although laser technology may seem futuristic, its foundational theory was first proposed by Albert Einstein in 1917.
The realisation of this theory came to fruition in 1960 with the construction of the first operational laser. Since then, lasers have become integral to various fields, displaying the convergence of theoretical ideas and practical applications over the decades.
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Laser: Light of the 21st Century, 1978 documentary on the history and progress of laser technology
The term "laser" is an acronym for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation" and the technology is quite different from that of ordinary lightbulbs. Laser light travels in a focused, straight line without spreading out and produces light of a very specific colour, rather than a broad band of light. Lasers are also capable of high-intensity outputs making them useful in cleaning and long-distance propagation.
In the early days of laser development, it became evident there would be countless applications, leading its inventor Theodore Harold Maiman to state that it was "a solution in search of a problem". Today's lasers have permeated so deeply that their impact has been felt in nearly every sector of society.
Everyday gadgets
Lasers enhance the functionality of many gadgets and devices in our everyday lives. Barcode scanners employ lasers to swiftly and accurately decode information, revolutionizing inventory management in retail. A laser scanner is reflected off the white sections of the barcode, and absorbed by the black sections. This reflection is then analysed by the scanner identifying the corresponding product.
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From RTÉ News in 2020, laser technology is to be used to prevent trucks hitting bridges
With their precision, laser mice outperform traditional mice in computer applications like gaming and graphic design. The laser reflects off the table with precision allowing for small movements to be measured and translated on the screen. Laser printers are recognized for speed and high resolution and produce crisp prints in offices and homes. The impact of lasers on these gadgets showcases their ability to create technology and improve already existing devices' accuracy and speed.
Quality control for food and goods
The precision of lasers extends into quality control for food and goods. They inspect the packaging for defects, assess surface quality, and measure weight and dimensions. In the food industry, lasers contribute to sorting and grading processes, aiding in categorisation based on attributes like size and colour. This rapid sorting allows for reduced food waste and high-speed processing. Their role in sealing and cutting packaging materials ensures secure and well-sealed packages, while traceability and authentication benefit from lasers marking goods with unique codes for transparent supply chain tracking.
Laser guided medicine
Lasers aid in a broad array of tasks in the medical realm, many of which can only be achieved via their small size and precise beam. In laser eye surgery, they reshape the cornea to correct vision issues. Low-level laser therapy assists in breaking down bilirubin for newborns with jaundice.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, skincare expert Dr Rosemary Coleman on laser treatment for skin
In cardiology, lasers perform ablation therapy, treating irregular heart rhythms by irradiating the walls of the inner heart. Dermatologists use lasers for skin resurfacing, reducing scars and wrinkles, as well as hair removal. Dentistry benefits from laser precision in procedures like cavity removal, gum reshaping, and teeth whitening. Laser applications in medicine are growing and in turn, providing life-changing procedures previously impossible.
Laser cleaning
Non-contact and environmentally friendly laser cleaning has proven to be a versatile technique and is used in processes from restoring delicate paintings in art conservation to rust removal in industrial settings. The precision of lasers allows conservators to selectively remove dirt, grime, or unwanted layers without damaging the underlying artwork. In industrial settings, laser cleaning is extensively used for rust removal. The focused laser beam can efficiently and selectively remove rust or unwanted coatings from surfaces without the need for chemicals or abrasive methods, providing a more environmentally friendly solution.
Research into the use of lasers to clean the surfaces of wind turbine blades is being undertaken at DCU and UCD. This helps enhance the efficiency of the turbines by removing contaminants, such as dirt or insects, which can accumulate over time and negatively impact performance. Laser cleaning, in these applications, proves to be a precise, non-contact, and environmentally friendly method for various materials and surfaces.
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From RTÉ Brainstorm, how do you clean a wind turbine blade?
Lasers in depth finding and sensors
Lasers play a crucial role in depth finding, aiding tasks such as building measurements where distances can be measured handheld and at the speed of light. In recent conflicts, lasers have been deployed in military applications like Lidar technology for terrain mapping and laser guidance for missiles. In sensors meanwhile, lasers have been utilised for motion detection in home security and three-dimensional scanning for applications for model design.
Lasers on Mars
Even in the red deserts of Mars, lasers have found a home on the Curiosity rover. Equipped with a laser instrument called ChemCam, the rover uses laser pulses to create sparks on rocks or soil, analysing emitted light for elemental composition through laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. This remote sensing technique enables scientists to study Martian geology without physically touching the surfaces, marking another frontier for laser applications.
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From NASA, how the Curiosity rover uses its ChemCam laser to explore on Mars
These are just some of the many uses of laser technology that we rely on today. However, lasers are also crucially important to future scientific advancement; this was demonstrated by the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics being awarded for the development of ultra-fast "attosecond" lasers, used to measure the way electrons move or change energy.
Remarkably, over a century since its inception, laser technology has continued to progress. With ongoing research continuing to develop both the parameters of lasers and their applications, laser technology seems positioned to remain pivotal to scientific and industrial breakthroughs for decades to come.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
