These gymnasts, I don't understand what they're doing. (Laughter.) I cannot even walk on a balance beam.

WHITEHOUSE: Remarks by the President at Campaign Event

That means the beam produced is of higher quality than other lasers, is extremely straight (even by the exacting standards of a normal laser beam) and can thus be focused onto a small area.

ECONOMIST: Solar power from space

Last month it even unveiled a range of jewellery, to which users can beam images from their camera-phones.

ECONOMIST: Mobile gaming

The problem with stereolithography for small things is that the liquid tends to solidify even when it is not at the most intense part of the beam.

ECONOMIST: Microelectronics grows up