Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere Carbon dioxide () is an important trace gas in Earth's atmosphere. It is an integral part of the carbon cycle, a biogeochemical cycle in which carbon is exchanged between the Earth's oceans, soil, rocks and the biosphere. Plants and other photoautotrophs use solar energy to produce carbohydrate from atmospheric carbon dioxide and water by photosynthesis. Almost all other organisms depend on carbohydrate derived from photosynthesis as their primary source of energy and carbon compounds. absorbs and emits infrared radiation at wavelengths of 4.26 µm (asymmetric stretching vibrational mode) and 14.99 µm (bending vibrational mode) and
Carbon dioxide laser the gas for their products. The table below illustrates the output range from nine possible isotope combinations: Because of the high power levels available (combined with reasonable cost for the laser), CO lasers are frequently used in industrial applications for cutting and welding, while lower power level lasers are used for engraving. It is also used in the additive manufacturing process of Selective laser sintering (SLS). Carbon dioxide lasers have become useful in surgical procedures because water (which makes up most biological tissue) absorbs this frequency of light very well. Some examples of medical uses are laser surgery and skin