Lasers Explained: Light Amplified to Perfection

The word LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
Unlike normal light, laser light is coherent—all waves move in step together.
Lasers emit highly focused beams that stay narrow over long distances.
Different materials create different laser types, from ruby crystals to gas and diode lasers.
Barcode scanners, CD/DVD players, and fiber-optic internet all depend on lasers.
In medicine, lasers perform delicate surgeries with extreme precision and minimal damage.
Industrial lasers cut, weld, and shape metals with incredible accuracy.
Laser pointers show visible beams by scattering off dust and particles in the air.
Military and scientific uses include range-finding, communication, and even nuclear fusion research.
The first working laser was built in 1960, earning the nickname “a solution looking for a problem.”