Shaping up a Laser (IMAGE) Princeton University, Engineering School Caption Engineers at Princeton found that by carefully shaping the area to which energy is delivered within a laser can dramatically improve the laser's performance. The researchers developed a mathematical approach to optimizing the pattern of energy delivery to achieve a desired outcome. In the case shown, pumping energy into a diamond shape produces powerful directional emission of light from the laser. Credit Omer Malik, Tureci Group, Princeton University Usage Restrictions For non-commercial use. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.