What type of medium do Dye Lasers use?

Dye lasers utilize an organic dye as their medium, which is crucial to their operation. These organic dyes have specific optical properties that allow them to absorb and emit light at various wavelengths, depending on the dye used. The flexibility in the choice of dye enables the laser to be tunable across a broad spectrum, making dye lasers versatile for numerous applications, including spectroscopy and medical procedures.

Unlike other laser types, such as semiconductor lasers or those using crystalline structures, dye lasers depend on the molecular properties of the organic dye itself to facilitate the lasing process. This sets them apart in terms of technology and application, as they often provide a wider range of wavelengths compared to solid-state or gas lasers.