So Starkweather fired a laser through the air between the two buildings, an improvised communications system that meant that, if you were driving down the Foothill Expressway on a foggy night and happened to look up, you might see a mysterious red beam streaking across the sky.

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In the case of lidar, the waves are in the form of an infra-red laser beam.

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LaserMotive uses special cells made with arsenic and gallium, which are better able to capture the near-infra-red wavelengths of its laser beam.

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Beam was first to release flavored bourbon in 2009 with its Red Stag brand, infused with a black cherry taste.

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In the case of Dr Sweeney's fibre laser, the beam will have a wavelength of 1.5 microns, making it part of the infra-red spectrum.

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