More than three decades ago, lasers put the power of the photon in our grasp, but the Age of Optics has only just begun. In Lasers, the authors describe how excited electrons inside lasers release photons, which are focused by mirrors into a single, potent beam of light. Laser beams are concentrated energy and extremely versatile - they can repair a damaged eye, play a compact disc, or carry a telephone conversation across the ocean. The final chapters consider the very latest applications and the future of lasers, including the semiconductor revolution, ultra-fast computers limited only by the speed of light, and the incredible powerful X-ray lasers of Star Wars technology.