Lasers

Applications in measuring distances

Universitatea din Oradea
Facultatea de Construcii i Arhitectur
Secia: Geodezie
Specializarea: Msuratori Terestre i Cadastru
A laser is a device that emits light (electromagnetic radiation)
through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission
of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification
by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The emitted laser light is notable for its
high degree of spatial and temporal coherence.
It was invented in 1957 by Gordon Gould.
Red (635 nm), green (532 nm), and blue-violet (445 nm) lasers
Laser beam characteristics:
-intensity - It is defined as the power emitted per unit surface area per unit solid angle

-coherence - Laser light is coherent, which means all the light waves move in phase
together in both time and space. On the other hand, incoherent light from a light bulb or
flashlight is composed of a mixture of frequencies all out of alignment with each other
and travelling in different directions

-Monochromatic - Laser light is monochromatic, which means that it consists of one
color or a narrow range of colors. Ordinary light has a much wider range of wavelengths
of colors
-Collimation/Non-Divergence - A laser beam is collimated, meaning it consists of
waves traveling parallel to each other in a single direction with very little divergence.
This allows laser light to be focused to very high intensity. Ordinary light waves spread
and lose intensity quickly
-Directionality - Laser beam is highly directional, which implies laser light is of very
small divergence. This is a direct consequence of the fact that laser beam comes
from the resonant cavity, and only waves propagating along the optical axis can be
sustained in the cavity. The directionality is described by the light beam
divergence angle
Laser classifications can be made by:

-intermediate nature (solid, liquid, gas);
-power output;
-the wavelength of the radiation emitted;
-operation (contionuous or pulsed);

A laser consists of a gain medium, a mechanism to supply energy to it,
and something to provide optical feedback. The gain medium is a material with
properties that allow it to amplify light by stimulated emission. Light of a specific
wavelength that passes through the gain medium is amplified (increases in
power).
For the gain medium to amplify light, it needs to be supplied with
energy. This process is called pumping. The energy is typically supplied as an
electrical current, or as light at a different wavelength. Pump light may be
provided by a flash lamp or by another laser. The most common type of laser
uses feedback from an optical cavity - a pair of mirrors on either end of the gain
medium. Light bounces back and forth between the mirrors, passing through the
gain medium and being amplified each time.
Components of a typical laser:
1. Gain medium
2. Laser pumping energy
3. High reflector
4. Output coupler
5. Laser beam
A laser rangefinder is a device which uses a laser beam to determine the
distance to an object. The most common form of laser rangefinder operates on the
time of flight principle by sending a laser pulse in a narrow beam towards the
object and measuring the time taken by the pulse to be reflected off the target and
returned to the sender. Due to the high speed of light, this technique is not
appropriate for high precision sub-millimeter measurements, where triangulation
and other techniques are often used.
A long range laser rangefinder is capable of
measuring distance up to 20 km; mounted on a
tripod with an angular mount. The resulting
system also provides azimuth and elevation
measurements.
Applications

Laser rangefinders are used extensively in 3-D object recognition, 3-D
object modelling, and a wide variety of computer vision - related fields. This
technology constitutes the heart of the so-called time-of-flight 3D scanners. In
contrast to the military instruments described above, laser rangefinders offer high-
precision scanning abilities, with either single-face or 360-degree scanning modes.

A number of algorithms have been developed to merge the range data
retrieved from multiple angles of a single object to produce complete 3-D models
with as little error as possible. One of the advantages that laser rangefinders offer
over other methods of computer vision is that the computer does not need to
correlate features from two images to determine depth information as in
stereoscopic methods.

Laser rangefinders used in computer vision applications often have depth
resolutions of tenths of millimeters or less. This can be achieved by using
triangulation or refraction measurement techniques as opposed to the time of
flight techniques used in LIDAR.
3-D Modelling

This LIDAR scanner may be used to scan buildings,
rock formations, etc., to produce a 3D model. The
LIDAR can aim its laser beam in a wide range: its
head rotates horizontally, a mirror flips vertically. The
laser beam is used to measure the distance to the
first object on its path.
Laser measuring tools
Laser rangefinders are also used in several industries like
construction, renovation and real estate as an alternative to a
tape measure. To measure a large object like a room with a
tape measure, one would need another person to hold the tape
at the far wall and a clear line straight across the room to
stretch the tape. With a laser measuring tool, this same job can
be completed by one operator with just a line of sight. Laser
measuring tools typically include the ability to produce some
simple calculations, such as the area or volume of a room, as
well as switch between imperial and metric units.
Laser rangefinder: Bosch PLR 25
Pathological effect of the wavelength of electromagnetic waves
Lasers are usually labeled with a safety class number, which identifies how
dangerous the laser is:

Class I/1 is inherently safe, usually because the light is contained in an
enclosure, for example in CD players.

Class II/2 is safe during normal use; the blink reflex of the eye will prevent
damage. Usually up to 1 mW power, for example laser pointers.

Class IIIa/3R lasers are usually up to 5 mW and involve a small risk of eye
damage within the time of the blink reflex. Staring into such a beam for several
seconds is likely to cause damage to a spot on the retina.

Class IIIb/3B can cause immediate eye damage upon exposure.

Class IV/4 lasers can burn skin, and in some cases, even scattered light can
cause eye and/or skin damage. Many industrial and scientific lasers are in this
class.