| Parameter | Universe | Laser |
| Entropy | As the universe is expanding (and currently accelerating) entropy increases | Entropy increases |
| Time | According to Hawking the universe we live in does not appear time symmetric | Laser is not time symmetric |
| Time | The thermodynamic arrow of time, the psychological arrow of time and the cosmological arrow of time all point in the same direction. These arrows explain the time asymmetry of the universe | Thermodynamic arrow of time is directed along the laser axis |
| Origin | Origin of the universe took place as a “Big Bang” | Laser action takes place at a threshold condition of oscillation |
| Origin | For some reason the universe started out in a stable of high order (low entropy) | Laser started out in a state of high order (population inversion) |
| Temperature | Temperature at a time of 10−12 sec. after Big Bang is estimated at 10150 K | Laser output can be described as having an effective temperature of ~10180 K |
| Space-time | In special theory an event occurs not only in space but also in time. They are known as world points and linking events are world link | Laser radiation is generally space and time coherent |
| Vacuum fluctuation | In quantum theory of cosmology the universe can be created from nothing spontaneously by virtue of vacuum fluctuations | The mechanism of spontaneous emission is attributed in connection with quantum theory to all pervading vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. Laser photon also builds up from vacuum fluctuations |
| Exponential growth | In the quantum theory of cosmology when the true vacuum bubble expands rapidly the universe can be created irreversibly | In the quantum theory of laser photon grows exponentially in the initial stage as it is created from vacuum |