Fluore-what?

     If you have read my previous posts, you know the basics of laser operation.  As usual, you can always get more information at the Wikipedia Laser page.  Now let me tell you about a neat phenomenon about certain materials called fluorescence.  When light hits a fluorescent material, the material can shine a different color.  This happens because the light that hits the material excites the atoms.  These excited atoms then release their pent up energy by releasing a different color of light than first hit the material.  The light produced is closer to the red side of what we can see as opposed to the violet side (remember ROYGBIV.  Take a look at About Physics for more info on the visible light spectrum).  You can think of the excited atoms as balls rolling up and down hills, a metaphor I use in my post “Can I make a laser from a flashlight?”  I demonstrate the wonder of fluorescence by using my violet laser pointer to excite various fluorescent materials, which glow a different color in the picture below:

Pretty cool, huh?  Fluorescence is the process that causes objects to light up under black lights.  So next time you go to a rave, you can tell all your friends there exactly why your bleached-white t-shirt and highlighters light up.

Can I make a laser from a flashlight?

 The colors of the laser rainbow on my skateboard.

     Since I was young, I always wondered how lasers worked, and if I could make one by poking a hole through a piece of paper and shining a flashlight through the hole.  I'm not sure if anyone has tried this, but I did.  What did I find out?  Wouldn't lasers be called "constrained flashlights" or something else if that worked?

Introduction

     Welcome to my blog on all things laser.  I have created this blog for a Communicating Science class I am enrolled in.  I will lead you through some very interesting physical concepts while describing the applications of laser that have been and will be seen.  Get ready to learn about a really fascinating topic while enjoying the fun that can be experienced in association with lasers.  There are a number of many other science-related blogs that can be found at my professor's website.

3OH!3 Consults Laser Physicist and Taxidermist

     Colorado electropop sensation 3OH!3 has been touring the nation, spreading their catchy beats and controversial lyrics to an ever-increasing fan base.  Accompanying them on their trips is a pair of  laser-eyed wolves that join the band on stage to surprise the audience with a laser light show during concert performances.  No doubt, a bit of taxidermy art was necessary to provide the two band members with the wolves, and the relatively recent development of compact lasers would give the pets laser-vision.