The first CO2 laser was developed by Kumar Patel of Bell Labs in 1965. Carbon Dioxide lasers provide the highest-power output in continuous wave operation currently available. They find applications in material processing such as cutting, engraving, welding, drilling, marking, laser surgery, LIDARs, etc. CO2 lasers typically emit at a wavelength of 10.6 μm, but there are other lines in the region of 9–11 μm. The lasing medium consists of CO2, Helium and Nitrogen, typically in the ratio of 1:1:8. CO2 lasers have a relatively low cost in relation to power capabilities, often less than $100 per watt.