Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!think!ames!ucsd!sdcc6!calmasd!jnp
From: jnp@calmasd.GE.COM (John Pantone)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: LASER diodes
Message-ID: <2702@calmasd.GE.COM>
Date: 29 Mar 88 18:39:15 GMT
References: <5451@spool.cs.wisc.edu| <2547@ihuxv.ATT.COM> <5479@spool.cs.wisc.edu>
Distribution: na
Organization: G.E.- Calma R&D, San Diego, CA
Lines: 13
Summary: coherent, not monochromatic

> Well it was visible, although I suspect that most of the energy
> was in the infrared spectrum.  (I though lasers were supposed
> to be monochromatic)?

Not necessarily monochromatic (although many are very nearly so), but
coherent (light waves "in step", making the construction of very
nearly zero-spreading beams possible (collumnated (sp?))).

Most laser diodes are, indeed, principally active in the infra-red,
quite a few, however, emit a detectable red light.-- 
These opinions are solely mine and in no way reflect those of my employer.  
John M. Pantone @ GE/Calma R&D, 9805 Scranton Rd., San Diego, CA 92121
...{ucbvax|decvax}!sdcsvax!calmasd!jnp   jnp@calmasd.GE.COM   GEnie: J.PANTONE