Laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.

A laser beam is created when electrons within atoms in special gases absorb energy from an electrical current. When these electrons return to their normal state, they emit photons which create light. These photons are all the same wavelength, making them coherent or in other words the same colour.

Lasers are made up of many small components which work together to produce light.

A laser beam is created when electrons within atoms in special gases absorb energy from an electrical current. When these electrons return to their normal state, they emit photons which create light. These photons are all the same wavelength, making them coherent or in other words the same colour.

Lasers have many uses in our modern world, including:

• Surgery
• Astronomy
• Laser cutting
• Barcode scanning
• Reading CDs and DVDs