Lasers amplify light by absorbing and radiating energy. The laser radiation is generated by a laser source. For this, concentrated energy is supplied to a crystal rod (solid state laser) or a special gas mixture (gas laser). The crystal rod or the laser active gas is arranged between two mirrors. This generates a light resonator that directs the laser light into a specific direction and amplifies it in this manner. A defined percentage of the laser light is emitted through the partially transmissive mirrors and is directed onto the material -- where it engraves, marks or cuts the desired motif.