Laser diodes (LDs) are widely used in various fields such as optical communication, industrial processing, medical treatment, and sensing, and mastering their core terms is crucial for technical communication, product selection, and performance evaluation. These terms cover the most frequently used concepts in technical documents, product specifications, and marketing copy.
If you are handling a semiconductor laser for the first time, please pay attention to the following points. In addition, please refer to the application note and product specifications. Also, please avoid handling the laser outside the range of absolute maximum ratings, as this may lead to breakdowns or performance degradation.
Lasers are used in 3D scanning by projecting light onto an object and measuring the reflection to calculate distance, creating a detailed "point cloud" of millions of data points that form a 3D model. Scanners use methods like Time-of-Flight (ToF), measuring the time for pulses to return, or Laser Triangulation, using angles and known sensor positions to determine depth. This process captures precise geometric data for applications in architecture, engineering, gaming, and manufacturing.
A laser diode is a semiconductor device that emits coherent light via stimulated emission, which is more complex and responsive than a light-emitting diode (LED). ‘Laser’ stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.