>to me the laser thing sounds like they used radiation and turned it into a light Light is radiation. If you think the term 'radiation' only applies to radioactivity then you really need to get a better dictionary. Dr Ted Maiman and Dr Charles Townes did not set out to make a 'quantum' laser. They instead discovered the quantum effects that made the laser possible. It's not magic and it's very, very well understood. If you think it's all BS, then please explain how lasers work. Explain how gaseous lasers, solid state laser, semiconductor lasers and the newer fiber lasers all work without using quantum effects. Be skeptical, I encourage that, but don't be ignorant just because you have trust issues. Read more, learn more. Make up your mind once you are informed better. Skepticism is healthy but only when tempered with knowledge.