Is it Possible? Laser Generated from Non-Absorbable Substances

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of generating lasers from non-absorbable substances to mitigate issues related to atmospheric absorption, particularly by water vapor and clouds. Participants explore the implications of using different gases for laser generation and their interactions with the environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the meaning of "easily absorbable by environment" and challenge the comparison of gases to solid objects in terms of absorption.
  • There is a discussion about the reduction of laser power due to atmospheric conditions, including turbulence and the presence of water vapor.
  • One participant suggests that studying substances that are not easily absorbed by water could lead to the development of lasers resistant to water vapor.
  • Another participant argues that there is no straightforward relationship between a gas's solubility in water and the wavelengths it emits, indicating that CO2 lasers emit wavelengths absorbed by water despite CO2 being water-soluble.
  • Concerns are raised about the challenges posed by clouds, which consist of tiny water droplets that reflect light, complicating the use of lasers in atmospheric conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between gas absorption and laser generation, with no consensus reached on the feasibility of using non-absorbable substances for laser generation in atmospheric conditions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the interaction between laser wavelengths and environmental factors, as well as the complexities introduced by atmospheric turbulence and cloud composition.

A-A
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I don't know anything about physics but some times I wonder whether a particular procedure is possible or not. As for this post, It is known that a major problem with use of laser is absorption by the environment (ex. clouds or any form of water vapor). It is also known that laser (as far as I know) could be generated from substances such as CO2 and N2 which are easily absorbable by environment due to their nature. Now, my question is "if laser could be generated from substances that are not easily absorbable by environment could the problem stated above at least be reduced?"

tq.
 
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A-A said:
I don't know anything about physics but some times I wonder whether a particular procedure is possible or not. As for this post, It is known that a major problem with use of laser is absorption by the environment (ex. clouds or any form of water vapor). It is also known that laser (as far as I know) could be generated from substances such as CO2 and N2 which are easily absorbable by environment due to their nature. Now, my question is "if laser could be generated from substances that are not easily absorbable by environment could the problem stated above at least be reduced?"

tq.
What do you mean with "easily absorbable by environment"? If you take any gas, it would certainly mix with air if you release it; if you shoot a lead bullet on a rock, in a sense you could say as well that it was "absorbed by environment".
 
lightarrow said:
What do you mean with "easily absorbable by environment"? If you take any gas, it would certainly mix with air if you release it; if you shoot a lead bullet on a rock, in a sense you could say as well that it was "absorbed by environment".


by absorption of laser I mean reduction of its power (this is not the same as shooting a bullet). as you know, atmospheric use of laser is heavily influenced by turbulence (The basic mechanisms of atmospheric currents are wind shear and heating. Under turbulent conditions, flow is broken up into vortices and eddies, each of these possessing a slightly different temperature. This results in the volume of the eddy possessing a slightly different refractive index. If we pass a beam of light through an interface between two substances with different refractive indices, it will change its direction) and water vapor (ex. clouds, fog). Now, my question is that (i may be totally wrong, correct me if i am): given that water by nature absorbs substances (gases or name it whatever) like carbon very well (an evident proof is pretty polluted rain falls over industrialized cities) and that laser produced from such gases may also be absorbed well by water. is it possible to study the substances that are not absorbed easily by water and generate a kind of laser from them that is resistant to water vapor?
 
A-A said:
by absorption of laser I mean reduction of its power (this is not the same as shooting a bullet). as you know, atmospheric use of laser is heavily influenced by turbulence (The basic mechanisms of atmospheric currents are wind shear and heating. Under turbulent conditions, flow is broken up into vortices and eddies, each of these possessing a slightly different temperature. This results in the volume of the eddy possessing a slightly different refractive index. If we pass a beam of light through an interface between two substances with different refractive indices, it will change its direction) and water vapor (ex. clouds, fog). Now, my question is that (i may be totally wrong, correct me if i am): given that water by nature absorbs substances (gases or name it whatever) like carbon very well (an evident proof is pretty polluted rain falls over industrialized cities) and that laser produced from such gases may also be absorbed well by water. is it possible to study the substances that are not absorbed easily by water and generate a kind of laser from them that is resistant to water vapor?

Now I've understood what you intended, but you was not clear at all.

Actually there is no (obvious or simple) relation between the fact that, e.g., a CO2 laser emits wavelenghts absorbed by water and the fact CO2 is water-soluble (or easily absorbed by water).

Concerning water vapour only, it shouldn't be difficult to find a kind of laser which emits wavelenghts not absobed by it; concerning clouds it's all another story: they are also made of tiny drops of liquid water, which reflects (almost all kind of) light.
 

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