In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus gave the gift of fire to Humanity. It provided warmth, light, and energy. Whether or not you believe that myth, humanity has learned to concentrate that light into beams of unimaginable power:
Lasers.
What does that word make you think of first? Science fiction ray guns? A secret agent strapped to a table while a metal-melting beam of light inches toward him? Or maybe the master thief throwing dust in the air to reveal a deadly maze of red laser beams guarding the treasure?
Those are all popular but outdated images of the laser. Today, lasers vanquish different foes such as unwanted hair, vision correction, and even tumors.
How is a beam of light able to delicately reshape the surface of the eye, yet still be able to cut steel?
LASER is an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” In this definition radiation doesn’t refer to nuclear radiation, but to electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and X-rays. Some light wavelengths are visible, and other are not...