How Does Laser Work? Can You Build One at Home? - Zachariah Peterson

This introductory video explains laser operation, including mirrors, laser diodes, semiconductor lasers, optical control, powering, pulse generation, and random lasers. It also discusses the components and safety considerations involved in building a laser system.

Syllabus

What this video is about
Can you build a laser at home? Where lasers are used
How does a laser work
About mirrors
Materials, Pictures of real lasers, About protection glasses
Industrial laser example
Laser LED - semiconductor laser
How to control what goes out of a laser - Pockels cell
Powering up lasers
Laser diode - basic circuits
Creating laser pulses with optics
Random lasers
If someone really would like to build a laser ...