A system for stimulating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the system comprising: a laser tool configured to operate within a wellbore of the formation, the tool comprising: one or more optical transmission media, the one or more optical transmission media being part of an optical path originating at a laser generating unit configured to generate a raw laser beam, the one or more optical transmission media configured for passing the raw laser beam; an optical assembly coupled to the optical transmission media and configured to shape a laser beam for output; a rotational system coupled to the optical assembly and configured for rotating the laser beam about a central axis of the optical assembly, a housing that contains at least a portion of the optical assembly, the housing being configured for movement within the wellbore to direct the laser beam relative to the wellbore; a purging assembly disposed at least partially within or adjacent to the housing and configured for delivering a purging fluid to an area proximate the laser beam; and a control system to control at least one of the movement of the housing or an operation of the optical assembly to direct the laser beam within the wellbore, characterized in that the rotational system is part of the purging system and comprises: a generally cylindrical housing coupling a first portion and a second portion of the housing and defining at least one opening about a circumference of the circular housing; a plurality of fins disposed at least partially within the at least one opening and spaced about the circumference of the circular housing; and at least one nozzle disposed within the circular housing and oriented offset from the central axis of the optical assembly, where the nozzle is configured to discharge a purging fluid at an angle towards the fins to cause rotational motion of the second portion of the housing. a laser tool configured to operate within a wellbore of the formation, the tool comprising: one or more optical transmission media, the one or more optical transmission media being part of an optical path originating at a laser generating unit configured to generate a raw laser beam, the one or more optical transmission media configured for passing the raw laser beam; an optical assembly coupled to the optical transmission media and configured to shape a laser beam for output; a rotational system coupled to the optical assembly and configured for rotating the laser beam about a central axis of the optical assembly, a housing that contains at least a portion of the optical assembly, the housing being configured for movement within the wellbore to direct the laser beam relative to the wellbore; a purging assembly disposed at least partially within or adjacent to the housing and configured for delivering a purging fluid to an area proximate the laser beam; and a control system to control at least one of the movement of the housing or an operation of the optical assembly to direct the laser beam within the wellbore, characterized in that one or more optical transmission media, the one or more optical transmission media being part of an optical path originating at a laser generating unit configured to generate a raw laser beam, the one or more optical transmission media configured for passing the raw laser beam; an optical assembly coupled to the optical transmission media and configured to shape a laser beam for output; a rotational system coupled to the optical assembly and configured for rotating the laser beam about a central axis of the optical assembly, a housing that contains at least a portion of the optical assembly, the housing being configured for movement within the wellbore to direct the laser beam relative to the wellbore; a purging assembly disposed at least partially within or adjacent to the housing and configured for delivering a purging fluid to an area proximate the laser beam; and a control system to control at least one of the movement of the housing or an operation of the optical assembly to direct the laser beam within the wellbore, characterized in that the rotational system is part of the purging system and comprises: a generally cylindrical housing coupling a first portion and a second portion of the housing and defining at least one opening about a circumference of the circular housing; a plurality of fins disposed at least partially within the at least one opening and spaced about the circumference of the circular housing; and at least one nozzle disposed within the circular housing and oriented offset from the central axis of the optical assembly, where the nozzle is configured to discharge a purging fluid at an angle towards the fins to cause rotational motion of the second portion of the housing. a generally cylindrical housing coupling a first portion and a second portion of the housing and defining at least one opening about a circumference of the circular housing; a plurality of fins disposed at least partially within the at least one opening and spaced about the circumference of the circular housing; and at least one nozzle disposed within the circular housing and oriented offset from the central axis of the optical assembly, where the nozzle is configured to discharge a purging fluid at an angle towards the fins to cause rotational motion of the second portion of the housing.