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Continuous wave lasers operate continuously for periods exceeding one
second. The familiar laser pointer is one example. They usually have
relatively high average powers when compared to typical pulsed lasers.
Military Lasers
Extremely high average power lasers which can be used to destroy missiles in the vulnerable launch phase..
Gasdynamic Laser
High power laser based on rapid adiabatic expansion of a high temperature gas, somewhat like the exhaust
of a rocket nozzle. The first gasdynamic laser was successfully operated in
1966.
Ammonia Microware Laser
Low power laser based on low energy molecular transitions. This was the first
operational laser, it was constructed by Townes and Shawlow in 1954.
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