Difference between revisions of "Laser"
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| − | [[Laser]] is the acronym | + | [[Laser]] is a word formed from the acronym "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation." |
| − | Light from a laser is both temporally [[coherent]], meaning it is of a single pure color, and spatially coherent, meaning that it can be easily formed into a thin beam or focused to a small spot. The angle at which a laser beam spreads is determined by [[diffraction]]; a wide beam will diverge more slowly than a narrow beam. Many cheap laser pointers exhibit excess beam dissipation due to cheap manufacturing | + | Light from a laser is both temporally [[coherent]], meaning it is of a single pure color, and spatially coherent, meaning that it can be easily formed into a thin beam or focused to a small spot. The angle at which a laser beam spreads is determined by [[diffraction]]; a wide beam will diverge more slowly than a narrow beam. Many cheap laser pointers exhibit excess beam dissipation due to cheap manufacturing, and shoddy construction. |
The use of lasers is very important in [[science]] and [[medicine]]; they have also become ubiquitous in [[CD-ROM]] and [[DVD]] players and as pointers. | The use of lasers is very important in [[science]] and [[medicine]]; they have also become ubiquitous in [[CD-ROM]] and [[DVD]] players and as pointers. | ||
| − | [http://lisa.jpl.nasa.gov/] They're also used in bar code scanners. | + | [[http://lisa.jpl.nasa.gov/]] They're also used in bar code scanners. |
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[category:technology]] | [[category:technology]] | ||
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Revision as of 21:25, February 13, 2013
Laser is a word formed from the acronym "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation."
Light from a laser is both temporally coherent, meaning it is of a single pure color, and spatially coherent, meaning that it can be easily formed into a thin beam or focused to a small spot. The angle at which a laser beam spreads is determined by diffraction; a wide beam will diverge more slowly than a narrow beam. Many cheap laser pointers exhibit excess beam dissipation due to cheap manufacturing, and shoddy construction.
The use of lasers is very important in science and medicine; they have also become ubiquitous in CD-ROM and DVD players and as pointers. [[1]] They're also used in bar code scanners.