Sealed CO 2 Laser Update – Product Trends Driven by Diverse Applications

Sealed CO 2 lasers with powers up to 500 watts play a major role in many applications, in large part because they offer the lowest cost of ownership per watt of any industrial laser technology, together with the broad applicability of their midinfrared output. Two different types of sealed lasers service most of these applications ‐ CW lasers with average power of 100 watts or less, and pulsed models in the 100 to 500 watt range. This article reviews the different market demands for each of these laser types, and explores how manufacturers have responded to these needs.