How a Laser Works
Channel: engineerguy
Date: 2012-06-05

Bill shows how the three key characteristics of laser light - single wavelength, narrow beam, and high intensity - are made. He explains the operation of a ruby laser - the first laser ever made - showing how electronic transitions create stimulated emission to give coherent light, and then how the ends of the ruby cavity create a narrow wavelength highly collimated beam.  You can learn more about laser in the EngineerGuy team's new book Eight Amazing Engineering Stories http://www.engineerguy.com/elements