All Articles

Laser Types Explained – Understanding the Different Lasers and Their Uses

by MIYA LASERS on Aug 12, 2025

Laser Types Explained – Understanding the Different Lasers and Their Uses
Lasers are everywhere in modern life. Surgeons use them for eye surgery and cancer treatments. Manufacturers rely on them for cutting, marking, welding, cleaning, and texturing various materials. In the beauty industry, lasers help with tattoo removal and hair removal. And, of course, anyone who has been to a live concert or festival has likely seen a breathtaking laser light show lighting up the sky.
More recently, new applications—such as laser holography—are emerging, pushing the boundaries of how lasers can be used. These innovations are possible because there are many different types of lasers, each designed for specific applications.
Based on the gain medium, the five main laser types are:
  1. Gas Lasers
  2. Solid-State Lasers
  3. Fiber Lasers
  4. Liquid Lasers (Dye Lasers)
  5. Semiconductor Lasers (Laser Diodes)
Each of these different lasers can operate in continuous-wave mode or pulsed mode, and pulsed lasers themselves have several variations.
Before we explore the different types of lasers in detail, let’s start with the basics—what exactly is a laser?
what is a laser beam made of

What Is a Laser?

A laser is a device that generates light in the form of a laser beam—a highly focused, monochromatic, and coherent stream of light. Unlike regular light, laser beams are made of rays traveling in the same direction and frequency./div>
Lasers consist of three main parts:
  • Energy Source – Pumps light into a gain medium. Depending on the type, this can be a laser diode, electrical discharge, chemical reaction, flash lamp, or even another laser.
  • Gain Medium – The material that emits light of a specific wavelength when excited. For example, CO₂ gas in a CO₂ laser.
  • Resonator – Mirrors surrounding the gain medium to amplify light.
This precise and focused output makes lasers ideal for tasks where accuracy is essential—whether in surgery, industrial cutting, or laser light effects for entertainment.
what are laser beams

Gas Lasers

Gas lasers use an electric current through a gas to create light, a process known as population inversion. Examples of lasers in this category include:
  • CO₂ Lasers
  • Helium–Neon Lasers
  • Argon Lasers
  • Krypton Lasers
  • Excimer Lasers
What are gas lasers used for? Applications range from holography and spectroscopy to barcode scanning, air pollution measurement, material processing, and laser surgery. CO₂ lasers, one solid laser example, are widely used for cutting, marking, and welding.
what are the different types of lasers

Solid-State Lasers

Solid-state lasers use a crystal or glass mixed with rare earth elements like neodymium or chromium as their gain medium. Famous examples of lasers in this group include the ruby laser and the Nd:YAG laser.
They are common in material processing, LIDAR systems, and medical applications such as tattoo removal, tissue ablation, and kidney stone removal. Solid-state lasers are also frequently used in stage light and concert laser light systems to create vivid, high-powered effects over large crowds.

Fiber Lasers

Fiber lasers are a special type of solid-state laser that use optical fibers infused with rare-earth elements as their gain medium. This allows for an extremely precise beam, excellent electrical efficiency, and low maintenance.
What are fiber lasers used for?
  • Laser cleaning, cutting, welding, and marking
  • Medical surgery
  • Defense applications
Their precision also makes them perfect for laser light show systems, where small, clean beams are required to create sharp, complex animations.
what are lasers used for

Liquid Lasers (Dye Lasers)

Liquid or dye lasers use an organic dye in liquid form as their gain medium. They’re known for their tunability—being able to produce a wide range of wavelengths during operation.
They are used in spectroscopy, medical treatments like birthmark removal, and isotope separation. Their flexibility makes them a unique tool for both scientific research and creative visual displays.

Semiconductor Lasers (Laser Diodes)

Semiconductor lasers, often called laser diodes, are the most common type in consumer products. These different types of lasers are used in barcode readers, laser pointers, scanners, printers, and as energy sources to pump other lasers.
What are laser beams made of in these systems? They’re photons produced when electrons move through a specially prepared semiconductor junction.

Laser Types by Mode of Operation

All laser types operate either in:
  • Continuous-Wave Mode – Produces a steady, uninterrupted beam (e.g., laser pointers, industrial cutting).
  • Pulsed Mode – Emits bursts of high-intensity light at regular intervals, useful for engraving, spot welding, and high-impact visual effects.
In entertainment, two types of laser beams—continuous and pulsed—are often combined to create dynamic laser light effects in shows.

Laser Types by Pulse Duration

Pulsed lasers are further classified by pulse duration:
  • Milliseconds – Longest, lowest energy peaks
  • Microseconds – Moderate precision
  • Nanoseconds – High precision, used in material processing and distance measurement
  • Picoseconds/Femtoseconds – Ultrafast, extreme precision for delicate applications
two types of laser beams

Pulse Duration and Creative Use in Concerts

From ultra-fast nanosecond bursts to ultra-precise femtosecond pulses, pulse duration shapes how laser light effects appear. In live shows, operators match pulse timing to the rhythm, intensity, and emotional tone of the music—turning a standard light setup into a visually immersive laser light show.
For example, during a high-energy EDM drop, short bursts create sharp, strobe-like effects. In contrast, long pulses during a ballad can form soft, sweeping patterns, blending seamlessly with projector laser visuals for a dramatic finish.

Lasers in Live Entertainment

In modern concerts, different types of lasers are layered with video walls, pyrotechnics, and haze to create 360° immersive experiences. Outdoor projector lights and laser light show projector outdoor units are now powerful enough to fill stadiums with razor-sharp beams visible for miles.
Top-tier festival setups often use a mix of:
  • High-powered solid-state lasers for bold, straight beams
  • Fiber lasers for precision animations
  • Dye lasers for unique color palettes
These systems can run as part of a fully synchronized laser light show system, controlled via DMX or specialized show software.
examples of lasers

What Are Lasers Used For Beyond Shows?

Beyond entertainment, lasers play key roles in:
  • Medical procedures
  • Industrial fabrication
  • Scientific research
  • Military targeting and communication
What are lasers made of may vary, but the underlying principle—amplifying light through a gain medium—remains constant.
solid laser example

Conclusion

The different types of lasers—from gas to fiber to semiconductors—offer unique benefits depending on the application. Whether you’re cutting steel, conducting delicate surgery, or orchestrating a stadium-sized laser light show, understanding the types of lasers available can help you choose the right system for the job.
Concert technology, in particular, has pushed laser examples to their limits—turning them from precise tools into canvases of light and color that can transform an event into an unforgettable experience.

Tags