Laser: Difference between revisions
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[[File:The Covenant SL.jpg|200px|thumb| [[John-117]] using a UNSC shoulder-mounted laser weapon against a Covenant [[Shade|Plasma Turret]].]] | [[File:The Covenant SL.jpg|200px|thumb| [[John-117]] using a UNSC shoulder-mounted laser weapon against a Covenant [[Shade|Plasma Turret]].]] | ||
A '''laser''' is a device that emits a narrow, monochromatic beam of light with a well-defined wavelength. The word ''laser'' is derived from the acronym for ''Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation''. | A '''laser''' is a device that emits a narrow, monochromatic beam of light with a well-defined wavelength. The word ''laser'' is derived from the acronym for ''Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation''; it uses electrical, optical, or chemical means to excite atoms in an ''active medium'' (light-emitting material), producing a powerful light pulse, and a specialized mirror system to collimate, focus, and amplify the beam. | ||
Humanity first developed laser technology in May 1960, when the first laser was built and tested by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. | Humanity first developed laser technology in May 1960, when the first solid-state ruby laser was built and tested by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. By the 21st century, lasers had become a multi-billion dollar industry. Civilian applications included reading digital storage disks, reading bar codes, or in handheld devices such as laser pointers. Lasers used in medicine are used for internal surgery and cosmetic applications. In manufacturing, they were used for precision cutting, welding, and other functions. They were also commonly used in various fields in science, especially spectroscopy. Lasers were also used by the military for target identification and weapons guidance systems. All of these uses are presumably just as widespread five centuries later. | ||
The use of laser technology for offensive purposes was still in its infancy during the 21st century, but in recent times the UNSC has developed several laser-based weapons. The Covenant, on the other hand, has been using laser-based weaponry for far longer. | The use of laser technology for offensive purposes was still in its infancy during the 21st century, mostly specializing in ordinance threat neutralization, but in recent times the UNSC has developed several laser-based weapons. The Covenant, on the other hand, has been using laser-based weaponry for far longer. | ||
==Applications== | ==Applications== | ||