These lasers use a solid material, such as a crystal or glass, as the active medium.

Examples include ruby lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, and semiconductor lasers.

These lasers use a gas as the active medium.

Examples include helium-neon lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, and argon lasers.

Also known as diode lasers, they are made using semiconductor materials.

Widely used in telecommunications, barcode readers, and laser pointers.

These lasers use optical fibers as the active medium, offering high power and excellent beam quality.

Used in industrial applications and telecommunications.

Laser cutting, welding, marking, and engraving.

Material processing and micromachining.

Laser surgeries, including LASIK eye surgery.

Dermatology treatments and cosmetic procedures.

Optical fiber communication systems.

Data transmission and high-speed internet connections.

Has a small core diameter and only allows one mode of light to propagate.

Suitable for long-distance communication and high-speed applications.

Has a larger core diameter and supports multiple light propagation modes.

Used in shorter distance communication and lower bandwidth applications.

Capable of transmitting large amounts of data at high speeds.

Enables faster internet connections and data transfer rates.

Fiber optic signals are not affected by electromagnetic interference or radio frequency interference.

Provides reliable and secure data transmission.

Can transmit signals over long distances without significant degradation.

Used in intercontinental communication and submarine cable systems.

Backbone networks and long-distance communication.

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) installations for high-speed internet.

Connect servers and storage systems within data centers.

Facilitate high-capacity data transfer and networking.

Endoscopy and minimally invasive surgeries.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detailed imaging.

Distributed temperature and strain sensing.

Used in oil and gas industry, structural health monitoring, and environmental monitoring.