What is the difference between types of imagesetter lasers?
There are four different types of imagesetter lasers Infrared (IR) 780 nanometers Visible Red (VR) 650 – 680 nanometers Helium Neon (HeNe) 633 nanometers Argon Ion (AI) 488 nanometers Nanometers refer to the wavelength on the color spectrum. 488 is in the blue range, 633 to 680 is in the red range, and 780 is in the infrared range and not visible to the eye. 488 and 633 nanometer lasers are gas lasers based upon argon ion and helium neon gases respectively. Visible red and infrared lasers use laser diode technology. The original laser technology evolved from the high-end scanner recorder systems used by the color shops that preceded the PostScript technology we know today. The first imagesetters were based exclusively upon argon ion or HeNe gas laser technology borrowed from scanner/recorder technology. Eventually, technology and design improved enough that imagesetters were able to produce process color jobs. It did not take long for competition to develop a less costly architecture t
