Laser Technology: Shedding Some Light

Imagine knowing enough about a hurricane to get the right people evacuated. Or knowing enough about Earth's atmosphere to predict climate trends and to stop negative human impacts. Consider a time when advances in medical procedures retire the scalpel to the museum. And think about precision-oriented manufacturing which brings consumer costs down because of its efficiency.

One advance in technology can enable these 21st century goals -- it is the laser. The laser is already integrated into our daily lives, in supermarket scanners, video and compact disks, as a tool to make dental work, in cosmetic plastic and general surgery, and in industry where it is used to align equipment and even cut out fabric for clothes.

Lasers are also changing how scientists conduct research, and they are an important tool for atmospheric studies at NASA Langley Research Center.