laser beam

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July 16, 2026

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A laser beam is a narrow beam of light produced by a laser. The term "laser" is an acronym for "light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation".12

Lasers work by energizing atoms or molecules with an external energy source. These energized particles release light, which is then amplified as it passes through the laser apparatus, forming a concentrated beam. This process involves stimulated emission, where a photon causes an excited atom to release an identical photon, creating a coherent light wave. Mirrors are used to reflect the light back and forth, increasing its intensity before it exits as the laser beam through a partially transparent mirror.345

Laser beams are known for being coherent, monochromatic (limited to a narrow range of wavelengths), and focused. These properties make them ideal for applications requiring precise delivery of energy, such as surgery or industrial cutting, and for transmitting and processing information, like in barcode scanners.2467

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lidar
…an object by transmitting a laser beam, usually from an airplane, at the object and measuring the time the light takes to return to the transmitter. The word lidar is derived from light detection and ranging.
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…an object by transmitting a laser beam, usually from an airplane, at the object and measuring the time the light takes to return to the transmitter. The word lidar is derived from light detection and ranging.
Read More