Laser: March 2008 Archives
The term "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
A typical laser emits light in a narrow, low-divergence monochromatic (single-coloured, if the laser is operating in the visible spectrum), beam with a well-defined wavelength. In this way, laser light is in contrast to a light source such as the incandescent light bulb, which emits light over a wide area and over a wide spectrum of wavelengths.
The first working laser was demonstrated in May 1960 by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. Since then, lasers have become a multi-billion dollar industry.
A typical laser emits light in a narrow, low-divergence monochromatic (single-coloured, if the laser is operating in the visible spectrum), beam with a well-defined wavelength. In this way, laser light is in contrast to a light source such as the incandescent light bulb, which emits light over a wide area and over a wide spectrum of wavelengths.
The first working laser was demonstrated in May 1960 by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. Since then, lasers have become a multi-billion dollar industry.
- The most widespread use of lasers is in optical storage devices such as compact disc and DVD players, in which the laser scans the surface of the disc.
- Other common applications of lasers are bar code readers and laser pointers.
- In industry, lasers are used for cutting steel and other metals and for inscribing patterns.
- Lasers are also commonly used in various fields in science, especially spectroscopy.
- Lasers are used by the military for target identification and illumination for weapons delivery.
- Lasers used in medicine are used for internal surgery and cosmetic applications.
