Technology
How do lasers work?
A laser works by exciting atoms so they release light, then bouncing that light between mirrors so the waves line up perfectly. The result is an intense, focused beam of a single color that stays tight over long distances.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how lasers works.
Step by step
- 1Energy 'pumps' atoms into an excited, high-energy state.
- 2The atoms release identical light waves, all in step.
- 3Mirrors bounce the light back and forth, amplifying it.
- 4The beam escapes as a narrow, single-color, coherent ray.
Frequently asked questions
- What makes laser light special?
- Its waves are all the same color and perfectly in step, so the beam stays tight and intense.
- What does LASER stand for?
- Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
- What are lasers used for?
- Everything from barcode scanners and DVD players to surgery, cutting metal, and fiber-optic internet.