Here is a description of ‘active’ vs ‘passive’ Q-switches in lasers….. Mike,
Category: Interesting stuff
How long is a beam of laser light?
Well, this is a very interesting question…. From a ‘classical’ viewpoint (i.e. the world in which we live) this is easily calculated by multiplying the speed of light, c, with the laser pulse duration. So, for a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser of, say, 5 nanosecond duration, the laser pulse is approx. 1.49 metres long, while a… Continue reading How long is a beam of laser light?
Don’t stare at the sun – ever!!!
We all know its a bad idea to stare at the sun. But this lady decided to do so during the recent eclipse in America, without the correct protective safety glasses. As a result her retinas were burnt with an image of the eclipsed sun! Many lasers output a much higher power than can… Continue reading Don’t stare at the sun – ever!!!
Are picosecond lasers worth the cost?
That’s a good question! A picosecond laser costs around £100,000 in the UK, at the moment. A ‘standard’ Q-switched laser costs anywhere between £10,000 and £60,000. QS lasers can output up to 2 Joules of energy in pulsewidths as short as 5 nanoseconds, while some commercially available pico lasers can output up to 1 Joule… Continue reading Are picosecond lasers worth the cost?
Good gig photos
Some good photos from one of our gigs…. With thanks to Stuart Westwood Photography. MIke.
What is this ‘Level 4’, ‘Level 5’ in aesthetics stuff all about?
Like most people I was a bit confused about this new ‘Level 4’, 5, 6 and 7 malarkey! I hear conflicting information from various sources saying that everyone using lasers/IPLs “must” be educated to these levels; then other sources saying “not yet”!! So, what’s the state of play? I recently came across an… Continue reading What is this ‘Level 4’, ‘Level 5’ in aesthetics stuff all about?
Do you need gel for photothermal treatments?
Water-based gel is routinely used when applying lasers and IPLs on skin conditions like vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions and hair removal. However, some manufactueres and suppliers suggest that gel is not required. Im not really sure why! So, what happens if you use, or don’t use, gel? As far as I am concerned… Continue reading Do you need gel for photothermal treatments?
James Clerk Maxwell – a genius
James Clerk Maxwell was a Scottish mathematician and physicist who derived four laws which became the basis of electromagnetic theory. He discovered that all electromagnetic radiation moves at the speed of light, c, in free space. Einstein based his theories of relatvivity on Maxwell’s work and cited him as a genius. Sadly, he… Continue reading James Clerk Maxwell – a genius
Picosecond Lasers???
Are picosecond lasers as good as they claim? Tattoos can be removed by either nanosecond or picosecond lasers. Nanosecond lasers have been used for this purpose since the early 1980s when my group first successfully demonstrated the scar-free clearance of black tattoo ink using a Q-switched ruby laser in Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow. (Reid W.H.,… Continue reading Picosecond Lasers???
Laser Safety Professionals
As of November 2016 I am the General Secretary of the Association of Laser Safety Professionals. The web site can be found at laserprotectionadviser.co.uk and their new blog is at alsp.blog. Mike.
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