How a Laser Works
A photon, or particle of light, is released in a toaster when the heating coils turn red, on a television when different colors and lights are emitted, or in a nighttime laser show performance, where a laser can control how these particles of light are released. Photons are generally released in a haphazard order, and the mirrored ends of a tube provide a tight environment for the photons to clone and collide and then a controlled beam of photons can be released in a thin, straight line.
The word LASER is actually an acronym for what it does: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The different colors of the beams are produced through the different gasses. Like Argon and Krypton, which are able to emit a spectrum of colors on their own that make Krypton/Argon mixed gas ion lasers the ones most typically utilized in laser show hardware.
The Components of a Laser Show
The first public display of a laser show is said to have taken place at Mills College in Oakland, California back in May of 1969. Three men wanted to play taped electronic music and desired a visual component to the public performance and were able to conceptualize and build a system they called a Video/Laser.
Over time, the first laser show idea and construct has been improved upon and altered to include high end graphics and multi-colored beams, and the laser show equipment and software can be programmed to emphasize either. Most lasers can work with any projector, and be utilized for smaller and larger performances as well as those that take place indoors and outdoors.
Laser Show Costs
The hardware for laser projection can run several thousands of dollars, while laser show software ranges from amateur to professional level, and will have a price dependent on the applications, running again in the low to mid thousands of dollars. Some more technologically minded individuals may reduce costs buy purchasing components and assembling a laser show projector themselves, but one would have to be moderately versed in laser technology to do so.
Oftentimes, it may make more sense to begin with a mid-range laser show software program which allows for user friendly applications and excellent technical and service support, and then graduate to a more advanced laser show program once the applications have been mastered.
