What is a 1450nm Diode Laser?
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A laser diode is made when an intrinsic semiconductor's electrical properties are altered by introducing impurities to the surface of a crystal wafer. When semiconductor layers meet, charge carriers combine and the electrical current in the laser's energy is released as light.
A 1450nm laser diode has a wavelength that produces infrared light. This wavelength can also be known as 1.45µm, or 1.45 micrometers. A laser diode with a wavelength of 1450 nanometers can be used in a variety of industries because the light is more safe to the human eye. It hits the cornea instead of the retina, thus lessening the risk of damage to the eye. However, even though 1450nm lasers are deemed eye-safe, they can severely damage the cornea at high powers.
Applications for 1450nm Laser Diodes
A laser diode with a wavelength of 1450 nanometers can be used in a variety of industries. Applications for 1450nm diode lasers include:
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- Noninvasive surgery
- Nonablative skin treatments
- Blood coagulation
- Healing of wounds
- Range finding
- LIDAR
- Aerospace welding
- Free space optical communications
1450nm Laser Diodes in Free Space Optics
A diode laser with a wavelength of 1450nm is an infrared diode laser, or a laser whose light is invisible to the naked human eye. When a 1450nm laser diode is used in free-space optical communications, the laser light's invisibility prevents interference and also has a low divergence (light does not "spread" as it travels). Many people do not know that they utilize optical communication technology daily, but infrared lasers are in many household controls. When you use your remote control to change the channel on your TV, an infrared diode laser in the remote sends information about which buttons you press to your TV, allowing you to change the channel.
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1450nm Diode Lasers for the Military
The invisible wavelength also makes 1450nm laser diodes popular with the military for range finding. In the military, 1450nm diode lasers are primarily used as laser target designators, which are used with precision-guided munitions to guide the munitions. An infrared diode laser of 1450nm is favored when directing munitions at live targets because light from a laser diode at 1450nm will not be seen by the target.
Nonablative Facial Treatments use 1450nm Lasers
1450nm diode lasers are most commonly used by the cosmetic industry for nonablative facial treatments, which are an alternative to ablative full-face laser resurfacing treatments. Ablative treatments are very effective in the treatment of rough facial skin, facial wrinkles, and dyspigmentation by removing the epidermis (outer skin) and even part of the dermis. Unsurprisingly, ablative treatments need at least one week of recovery or down time and during that period patients experience crusting and swelling of the skin and significant discomfort as the skin heals. 1450nm diode lasers are often used in nonablative treatments for the reduction of wrinkles and elimination of acne. 1450nm laser diodes cause the least amount of downtime compared to pulsed dye lasers, IPLs, and Nd:Yag lasers, with only a few hours of swelling or redness and minimal side effects. 1450 nm laser diodes are also safer to use on patients of color because infrared lasers are less likely to cause pigmentary reactions. The 1450nm laser diode is eye safe.
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1450nm Laser Diodes in Medicine
Infrared diode lasers can also be used for medical purposes. Leishmaniasis is a disease spread by sand flies which infects the blood and causes lacerations and wounds on the skin. These wounds are unresponsive to typical treatments for sores on the flesh and are only treatable when accurately diagnosed. If untreated the wounds will eventually heal, generally after a year, but the disease continues to live in the blood stream and causes organ damage and failure. Research shows that heat therapy can help speed the process of wound healing, especially when used in conjunction with the traditional treatment for leishmaniasis, Sodium Stibogluconate. In the future, researchers hope to implement laser therapy in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis to ease and quicken the recovery from the disease.
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