Laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, a source of intense, monochromatic, coherent light in the visible, ultraviolet, or infrared spectrum.
A laser produces a narrow, highly focused beam of light in which the waves are coherent and of a single wavelength, spanning the visible, ultraviolet, or infrared regions of the spectrum. The beam can be delivered as a continuous output or as precisely timed pulses, depending on the application. This coherence and spectral purity distinguish laser light from ordinary sources and make it uniquely suited to demanding optical tasks.
In commercial and industrial communication, lasers serve as the light source that drives signals through optical fiber, where their coherence and tight spectral width allow data to travel long distances with minimal dispersion. Lasers also power alignment, measurement, and sensing equipment used in manufacturing and inspection. In each case, the supporting fiber and optical components must be matched to the laser's wavelength and power so that performance is preserved end to end.
At Windy City Wire, the focus on fiber optic and low-voltage cable for commercial communication connects directly to laser-driven systems. Supplying fiber matched to the operating wavelength helps ensure that the coherent light a laser produces reaches its destination with its signal integrity intact.
Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
The first working laser was demonstrated in 1960 by Theodore Maiman, building on theoretical work by Albert Einstein and on the earlier maser. Lasers quickly became foundational to optical communication, measurement, and industrial processing.