The 50th anniversary of Laser technology

May 16, 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of Laser (Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation), with Theodore Maiman demonstrating the first ruby laser on May 16, 1960, at the Hughes Research Labs in the United States.

Though the fundamental physics for the laser technology had been theoried by Albert Einstein way back in 1917, the first operational model that was developed by the researchers over the years was the Maser - Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Noting that the laser work by Hughes Labs and Maiman was essentially an evolution of Maser work from the 1940s and 1950s, and indicated an attempt to "create more powerful microwave sources to improve things like the capability of radar systems," Daniel Nieuwsma, who worked with the Laser Engineering Division of Hughes Aircraft Company in the late 1970s, said during a May 14 interview with Scientific American: "Maiman worked his way up to the laser, which uses light waves, as a way to get even more power."

Initially, the laser technology was leveraged towards military applications like targeting; but it gradually worked its way into a wide array of civilian uses - including communications, rock-concert visuals, CD players, and even tattoo removals.

In fact, laser has evolved as a much-cherished instrument for a number of industries, ranging from defense to medical; and has impacted even video-game designers and science-fiction writers.

Source: TopNews

 

Marvelous technological acheivement that we kinda sorta mebbe atke for granted nowadays, yes?


And it's only a matter of time before we start using this technology to go 'round blasting Klingon heads open. LOL!













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I love it.