CSIR makes another laser breakthrough
25 November 2009
News
CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) laser scientists have made a breakthrough in the design of laser resonators, resulting in a technology that it believes could revolutionise the laser industry. The discovery has led to a submission to the Innovation Fund to prototype and commercialise the technology.
Chief scientist Dr Andrew Forbes of the CSIR National Laser Centre explains that the resonator is the core component of any laser and that laser beams are created within the laser resonator. “The shape and size of the resonator therefore determines the size and strength of the laser beams. Usually lasers will give out many beams of various shapes and sizes, each carrying some of the energy. The smallest beam that can be generated in a standard laser is the Gaussian beam.”
According to Forbes, Gaussian laser beams are in great demand for many applications due to their low rate of spreading as they propagate and their smooth intensity profile. They also facilitate communication with satellites, as the beams do not disperse when travelling through space.
“Unfortunately, the Gaussian laser beam occupies a small volume inside the laser, so the energy extracted from the laser in this beam is always low. For a long time it has been thought that only by ‘throwing away’ some of the energy of the medium, thereby restricting the size of laser beam that could survive, could the smallest beam – the Gaussian beam – be created,” says Forbes. Forbes and Igor Litvin, a PhD student at the CSIR, have shown that it is possible to overcome this limitation by not following the standard approach to designing laser resonators but by metamorphosising the desired beam at the output end of the laser, to a beam with better energy extraction qualities inside the resonator.
The metamorphosis also allows the Gaussian beam to be selected by using micro-optical elements, something that was previously thought impossible.
For more information contact Dr Andrew Forbes, CSIR, [email protected]
Further reading:
Fro the editor's desk: AI – a double-edged sword
Technews Publishing
News
As with any powerful tool, AI presents challenges, some of which, if not carefully managed, threaten to undo the potential that it can offer.
Read more...
Global semiconductor sales increase
News
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced global semiconductor sales were $57,0 billion during the month of April 2025, an increase of 2,5% compared to the March 2025.
Read more...
Avnet Abacus announced new president
Avnet Abacus
News
Avnet Abacus has announced that Mario Merino will succeed Rudy Van Parijs as president of Avnet Abacus, effective 1 July 2025.
Read more...
Avnet Abacus wins multiple prestigious awards
Avnet Abacus
News
The awards from Molex recognise outstanding performance, collaboration, and significant growth in the challenging market conditions of 2024.
Read more...
Components distribution slowdown Q1 2025
News
European components distribution (DMASS) experienced a continued slowdown in the first quarter 2025.
Read more...
Semiconductor sales increase 17% YoY
News
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) recently announced global semiconductor sales were $54,9 billion during the month of February 2025, an increase of 17,1% compared to the February 2024 total.
Read more...
Silicon Labs – Q1 results
News
Silicon Labs, a leading innovator in low-power wireless, recently reported financial results for the first quarter, which ended April 5, 2025.
Read more...
Strengthening industry through strategic partnerships at KITE 2025
Specialised Exhibitions
News
The KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition is not just an exhibition, it is a powerhouse of industry collaboration where visitors and exhibitors gain access to authoritative insights, technical expertise, and high-impact networking opportunities.
Read more...
Solar Youth Project calls on industry to step up
News
With the second cohort completed training and the first cohort returning for their final module, host companies are urgently needed to turn the training into a long-term opportunity.
Read more...
Conlog powers SA’s future with national smart meter rollout
News
Conlog recently secured the RT29-2024 contract from National Treasury, which is seen to be a major milestone towards modernising SA’s utility infrastructure.
Read more...