Editing List of laser applications (section)

==Industrial and commercial==
[[Image:Classical spectacular laser effects.jpg|thumb|right|Lasers used for visual effects during a musical performance. (A [[laser lighting display|laser light show]].)]]
[[Image:LaserFlooring1.jpg|right|thumb|Levelling of ceramic tiles floor with a laser device]]

Industrial laser applications can be divided into two categories depending on the power of the laser: material processing and micro-material processing.

In material processing, lasers with average optical power above 1 kilowatt are used mainly for industrial materials processing applications. Beyond this power threshold there are thermal issues related to the optics that separate these lasers from their lower-power counterparts.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Worldwide Market for Lasers - Market Review and Forecast 2012|journal=Strategies Unlimited|date=January 2012|series=5th Edition|pages=56–85}}</ref>  Laser systems in the 50-300W range are used primarily for [[laser pumping|pumping]], [[plastic welding]] and [[laser soldering|soldering]] applications. Lasers above 300W are used in [[brazing]], thin metal [[laser beam welding|welding]], and sheet metal [[laser cutting|cutting]] applications. The required brightness (as measured in by the beam parameter product) is higher for cutting applications than  for brazing and thin metal welding.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Sparkes|first=M.|author2=Gross, M. |author3=Celotto, S. |author4=Zhang, T. |author5=O'Neil, W |title=Practical and theoretical investigations into inert gas cutting of 304 stainless steel using a high brightness fiber laser|journal=Journal of Laser Applications|year=2008|volume=20 |issue=1042–346X|pages=59–67|doi=10.2351/1.2832402 |bibcode=2008JLasA..20...59S |doi-access=free}}</ref>  High power applications, such as [[hardening (metallurgy)|hardening]], [[cladding (metalworking)|cladding]], and deep penetrating welding, require multiple kW of optical power, and are used in a broad range of industrial processes.

Micro material processing is a category that includes all laser material processing applications under 1 kilowatt.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Worldwide Market for Lasers - Market Review and Forecast 2012|journal=Strategies Unlimited|date=January 2012|series=5th Edition|pages=86–110}}</ref>  The use of lasers in Micro Materials Processing has found broad application in the development and manufacturing of screens for smartphones, tablet computers, and LED TVs.<ref>{{cite web|title=OLED technology explained|url=http://www.oled-info.com/oled-technology|work=OLED Info|publisher=OLED-info.com|access-date=17 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015091400/http://www.oled-info.com/oled-technology|archive-date=15 October 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

A detailed list of industrial and commercial laser applications includes:

* [[Laser cutting]]
* [[Laser welding]]
* [[Laser drilling]]
* [[Laser marking]]
* [[Laser cleaning]]
* [[Cladding (metalworking)|Laser cladding]], a surface engineering process applied to mechanical components for reconditioning, repair work or [[hardfacing]]
* [[Photolithography]]
* [[Optical communication]]s over [[optical fiber]] or in [[Free-space optical communication|free space]]
* [[Laser peening]]
* [[Guidance system]]s (e.g., [[ring laser gyroscope]]s)
* [[Laser rangefinder]] / [[surveying]],
* [[Lidar]] / pollution monitoring,
* [[Digital minilab]]s
* [[Barcode reader]]s
* [[Laser engraving]] of printing plate
* [[Laser bonding]] of additive marking materials for decoration and identification,
* [[Laser pointer]]s
* [[Laser mouse|Laser mice]]
* [[Laser accelerometer]]s
* [[OLED display]] manufacturing
* [[Holography]]
* [[Bubblegram]]s
* [[Optical tweezers]]
* Writing [[subtitles]] onto [[motion picture]] films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinetyp.com/subtitles.html |title=Cinetyp Hollywood - film subtitles, video subtitles, DVD subtitles, film overlay, video, film, overlay, foreign subtitles, closed captioning, open captioning, spotting lists |publisher=Cinetyp.com |access-date=2009-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228063327/http://www.cinetyp.com/subtitles.html |archive-date=2009-02-28 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Power beaming]], which is a possible solution to transfer energy to the climber of a [[Space elevator]]
* [[3D scanner|3D laser scanners]] for accurate 3D measurement
* [[Laser line level]]s are used in surveying and construction. Lasers are also used for [[ring laser gyroscope|guidance for aircraft]].
* Extensively in both consumer and industrial imaging equipment.
* In [[laser printer]]s: gas and diode lasers play a key role in manufacturing high resolution printing plates and in image scanning equipment.
* [[Diode laser]]s are used as a lightswitch in industry, with a laser beam and a receiver which will switch on or off when the beam is interrupted, and because a laser can keep the light intensity over larger distances than a normal light, and is more precise than a normal light it can be used for product detection in automated production.
* [[Laser alignment]]
* [[Additive manufacturing]]
* [[Plastic welding]]
* [[Metrology]] - handheld and robotic laser systems for [[Aerospace]], [[Automotive]] and [[Rail transport|Rail]] applications
* To store and retrieve data in [[optical discs]], such as [[CD]]s and [[DVD]]s
* Blu-ray

=== Entertainment and recreation ===
* [[Laser lighting display]]s accompany many music concerts
* [[Laser tag]]
* [[Laser harp]]: a musical instrument were the strings are replaced with laser beams
* As a light source for [[Digital cinema#Projectors|digital cinema projectors]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/about-christie/news-room/press-releases/sm-cinema-adds-five-more-christie-6p-laser-projectors|title=SM Cinema Adds Five More Christie 6P Laser Projectors|website=www.christiedigital.com|access-date=2016-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018081640/https://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/about-christie/news-room/press-releases/sm-cinema-adds-five-more-christie-6p-laser-projectors|archive-date=2017-10-18|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Surveying and ranging ===
{{main|Laser rangefinder|Laser level|Laser altimetry|Satellite laser ranging}}