A diode pumped solid state laser, or DPSS laser, combines a pump laser diode or diode array with a laser crystal to deliver a highly stable wavelength output. The pump diodes in use generate light very efficiently from small power supplies, and at a wavelength that matches the absorption peak of the laser crystal in use in the DPSS laser cavity.
DPSS lasers have advantages in compactness and efficiency over other types, and high power DPSS lasers have replaced ion lasers and flashlamp-pumped lasers in many scientific applications.
It is very interesting that DPSS lasers are applyed to alibi. This is a referenced report about diode pumped solid state laser improve crime scene investigations below.
Newport Corporation has introduced Reveal, the first portable, continuous wave (CW), diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser- based solution designed to significantly improve crime scene investigation.
Developed by Newport's Spectra-Physics Lasers Division, the Reveal system is designed to improves the detection of latent fingerprints for identification and brings technology previously only available in laboratories to the crime scene, enabling investigators to gather evidence that otherwise may be overlooked using currently available devices. According to the company, it also uncovers body fluids such as semen, saliva, and sweat and biological matter such as bone, teeth, and skin fragments for DNA testing.
"Spectra-Physics was the first company to provide laser fluorescence technology to the forensic community," said Bruce Craig, vice president in charge of Newport's Spectra-Physics Laser Division. "Soon after, the Forensic Millennia became the technology of choice in crime laboratories. Today, Reveal enables investigators to bring this same cutting-edge technology directly to a crime scene and dramatically improve their ability to collect evidence."
Reveal enables the detection of biological and chemical agents by their specific color signatures when exposed to laser light. The Reveal laser system consists of an 8-W CW DPSS laser, 22 feet of fiber optic cable and an ergonomic wand with zoom optics. The entire solution is contained in a single, portable flight case package. One investigator can easily transport Reveal to a crime scene and begin collecting evidence. The laser requires no warm-up time, enabling investigators to begin processing evidence immediately. After the laser is switched on, they use an ergonomic hand-held wand to sweep the scene for evidence and then examine and document their discoveries on location.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode-pumped_solid-state_laser
http://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/article_display.html?id=240829