+ What is a laser?
A laser is a device that stimulates atoms to emit light at specific wavelengths, which it then amplifies and focuses to a single point. The difference between a laser and the light bulbs in your house is that lasers emit only coherent light, that is, light whose waves travel together with their peaks lined up, or in phase. This is why lasers beams are very narrow, very bright and highly directional compared to other light sources such as torches.
+ How do laser shows work?
+ Are lasers safe?
REPLY 2
+ How do I fit them into my event?
+How are cutting lasers different from entertainment lasers?
Lasers carry energy, and a light beam when focused to an intense point can burn even metal. The entertainment lasers work in the opposite way, by taking that beam and expanding it into a fan of light or hundreds of beams, that are visible in mid-air. Each beam has a fraction of the power (inverse square law), so each time you double the beam area, you halve the power.
We manage that, so we are able to make a spectacular show, but sure that any laser that reaches the audience is safe to look at.
+ Will I need aviation approval?
FAQs
What is a laser?
History of the laser
The term LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, and was first coined in a 1959 paper by Columbia University student Gordon Gould. The first laser was built and operated the following year by Theodore H Maiman based on the theoretical concepts developed by Charles Hard Townes and Arthur Leonard Schawlow. When first invented, lasers were described as a solution looking for a problem. It took a while to figure out a use for them
Why are lasers different colours?
The colour of a laser is determined by the wavelength of the light being emitted. Colour such as red and orange have the largest wavelengths while violet and indigo have shorter wavelengths - by changing the wavelength you change the colour. Most entertainment lasers use red, blue, and green lasers, which when the beams are combined, give white light. By adjusting the relative brightness of each beam, all colours can be created.
How are cutting lasers different from entertainment lasers?
Lasers carry energy, and a light beam when focused to an intense point can burn even metal. The entertainment lasers work in the opposite way, by taking that beam and expanding it into a fan of light or hundreds of beams, that are visible in mid-air. Each beam has a fraction of the power (inverse square law), so each time you double the beam area, you halve the power.
We manage that, so we are able to make a spectacular show, but sure that any laser that reaches the audience is safe to look at.
Are lasers dangerous?
Lasers can be fun and useful, but like any tool they carry risks if used improperly. Your average laser pointer is far less powerful than the lasers used in our shows, but can still be harmful in the wrong hands. In many countries it is an offence to shine a laser pointer at aircraft or vehicles as it can temporarily blind or disrupt the pilot or operator, as well as causing damage to the eyes.
The more powerful the laser the more impressive the show, which is why our lasers at Flying Pictures are thousands of times more powerful than your average laser pointer. This is why we always recommend hiring professionals when dealing with high powered lasers, as they can do serious damage if left to inexperienced operators.
What are the Laser Safety Basics?
Some laser safety basics that we take seriously (and you should too!)
Never point a laser at anyone's eyes
Never obstruct a laser beam at close range with any object including body parts
Keep lasers a safe distance from the audience
Keep high powered beams well above the audience eye line
Can lasers reach the moon?
All lasers, including your tiny 5 milliwatt laser pointer will technically reach the moon, just not in the way you’re imagining. Photons from the laser beam travel at light speed and will reach the surface of the moon, illuminating a huge area by the time it gets there.
This is because, while lasers do produce a very focused beam of light, there is a degree of divergence as it travels, and since the number of photons is constant throughout the beam, as the beam spreads out, the intensity drops, rendering the light too weak to be seen by the naked eye. Astronauts left a retro-reflector on the moon that reflects lasers sent from Earth. The few photons that make the round trip are used to measure the distance to the Moon.
FAQs
What is a laser?
A laser is a device that stimulates atoms to emit light at specific wavelengths, which it then amplifies and focuses to a single point. The difference between a laser and the light bulbs in your house is that lasers emit only coherent light, that is, light whose waves travel together with their peaks lined up, or in phase. This is why lasers beams are very narrow, very bright and highly directional compared to other light sources such as torches.
History of the laser
The term LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, and was first coined in a 1959 paper by Columbia University student Gordon Gould. The first laser was built and operated the following year by Theodore H Maiman based on the theoretical concepts developed by Charles Hard Townes and Arthur Leonard Schawlow. When first invented, lasers were described as a solution looking for a problem. It took a while to figure out a use for them
Why are lasers different colours?
The colour of a laser is determined by the wavelength of the light being emitted. Colour such as red and orange have the largest wavelengths while violet and indigo have shorter wavelengths - by changing the wavelength you change the colour. Most entertainment lasers use red, blue, and green lasers, which when the beams are combined, give white light. By adjusting the relative brightness of each beam, all colours can be created.
How are cutting lasers different from entertainment lasers?
Lasers carry energy, and a light beam when focused to an intense point can burn even metal. The entertainment lasers work in the opposite way, by taking that beam and expanding it into a fan of light or hundreds of beams, that are visible in mid-air. Each beam has a fraction of the power (inverse square law), so each time you double the beam area, you halve the power. We manage that, so we are able to make a spectacular show, but sure that any laser that reaches the audience is safe to look at.
What are the Laser Safety Basics?
Some laser safety basics that we take seriously (and you should too!)
Never point a laser at anyone's eyes
Never obstruct a laser beam at close range with any object including body parts
Keep lasers a safe distance from the audience
Keep high powered beams well above the audience eye line
Can a laser reach the moon?
All lasers, including your tiny 5 milliwatt laser pointer will technically reach the moon, just not in the way you’re imagining. Photons from the laser beam travel at light speed and will reach the surface of the moon, illuminating a huge area by the time it gets there.
This is because, while lasers do produce a very focused beam of light, there is a degree of divergence as it travels, and since the number of photons is constant throughout the beam, as the beam spreads out, the intensity drops, rendering the light too weak to be seen by the naked eye. Astronauts left a retro-reflector on the moon that reflects lasers sent from Earth. The few photons that make the round trip are used to measure the distance to the Moon.