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How a Laser Works

By Mary Bellis, About.com

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How a Laser Works - Step 2

How a Laser Works - Step 2

How a Laser Works - Step 2

Courtesy Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
At a specific energy level, some atoms emit particles of light called photons. At first the photons are emitted in all directions. Photons from one atom stimulate emission of photons from other atoms and the light intensity is rapidly amplified.

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