My company has a new imagesetter which uses a helium-neon laser that produces a red light. That got me thinking about the older ruby lasers. Are they still used for anything? I assume they have educational uses; what about industrial?
I’m pretty sure ruby lasers are still used in tatoo removal and holography. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are used elsewhere as well but at least you know they are still around.
The only ruby laser I ever used was in a University Lab. There’s nothing particularly odd about a ruby laser, but I suspect that HeNe lasers are cheaper, simpler, and safer, while providing a red wavelength.
If I;m not mistaken, Ruby laser were used as target designators in older military systems, and may still be used as such in parts of the world. Military systems often have protection againsat ruby wavelengths built in, I believe.
Thank you. Just curious.
Some combat tanks still use them as rangefinders.( not U.S. ,though