Mid-infrared lasers emit light in the wavelength range of 2 to 20 micrometers. This range of light is useful for a variety of applications because it can penetrate materials such as skin, water, and glass. However, mid-infrared lasers are typically very inefficient, with only a small percentage of the input energy being converted into light.
The new lasers, developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, use a new type of crystal that converts heat into light more efficiently. The researchers say that the new lasers are twice as efficient as existing lasers of the same type.
The new lasers could be used in a variety of applications, including:
* Medical imaging: Mid-infrared light can be used to image blood vessels, tumors, and other structures beneath the skin. The new lasers could make medical imaging faster and more accurate.
* Spectroscopy: Mid-infrared light can be used to identify molecules by their absorption spectra. The new lasers could make spectroscopy more sensitive and faster.
* Remote sensing: Mid-infrared light can be used to detect objects from a distance. The new lasers could make remote sensing more accurate and sensitive.
The researchers say that they are working to improve the efficiency of the new lasers even further. They believe that the lasers could eventually be used in a variety of commercial applications.
