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Seen atop pagodas, inside Buddhist ordination halls, and in royal palaces, the tiered umbrella is one of Thailand's oldest and most sacred ornamental symbols. Constructing one of these ornate pieces, also called chatras, can take master artisans up to six months.

In the Journal of Laser Applications, researchers demonstrate a technique for constructing seven-tiered umbrellas using high-powered lasers, dramatically reducing the production time. Employing carbon dioxide lasers, they were able to fashion umbrellas from stainless steel in a matter of days while preserving their intricate beauty.

"At present, the craftsmen who make tiered umbrellas have become scarce," said author Pichet Limsuwan. "We hope to show a new way we can help conserve arts and culture in Thailand."

Use of chatras dates to the Dvaravati Kingdom, which ruled what is now modern Thailand 1,400 years ago. Royal chatras come in odd-numbered variations of five-, seven-, and nine-tiered umbrellas that correspond to princes, crown princes, and kings, respectively.

Limsuwan set to work a year ago to better understand the customs surrounding chatras and how they are made. His first months researching the umbrellas included poring over primary historical documents written in Thai and then synthesizing his research into a written history in English—a type of research rare for physicists.

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