Questions related to lasers, laser-based systems or devices, and their applications.
Laser, which stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, is a device that typically produces a well-defined narrow beam of light. Usually it is monochromatic, or single-colour, i.e. its radiation encompasses a very narrow spectral range. Lasers can be ultraviolet, visible and infrared, as well as continuous or pulsed.
Most common lasers are based in a semiconductor diode, but there are also gas-, liquid-, fibre- and solid-state lasers.
Lasers are used in a vast variety of applications nowadays, including:
- telecommunication
- surgery
- remote sensing
- measuring distances
- data storage
- entertainment
- metal welding and cutting
- research
- security
- laser pointers
- and many more
