May 2010 issue of Physics World marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser, and can be freely downloaded.
This issue celebrates what has been one of the outstanding success stories in physics. We take a look at the laser’s huge impact on popular culture (think Goldfinger and laser-art shows) and on everyday life (DVDs, laser pointers, bar-code scanners). We also relive the race to build the world’s first working laser – a story still laced with controversy. Find out about the technological impact of lasers in fibre optics and at the quest for green-wavelength laser diodes that could let mobile phones project images onto any surface. Basic research gets a look-in, too – in terms of both ultrahigh power and ultrafast lasers. Don’t miss our special timeline of laser history and see what you think of our six experts’ predictions for where laser science will go next.
The history of the laser: An idea that began with Albert Einstein inspired a race to create a special beam of light that has since infiltrated numerous aspects of everyday life. (p. 18)
Laser physicists have set their sights on new types of waves — manufacturing beams of sound, creating plasma swells and looking for ripples in spacetime. (p. 28)
As an activity for celebrating 50 year anniversary of laser, IOP filmed a video exclusive, a vox pop with faculty and students at the Stanford Photonics Research Center (SPRC).
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the laser, an invention that has changed everything from surgery to grocery-store checkout lines.
The world's first laser — which emitted a coherent energy beam for the first time on May 16, 1960 — is right here in Vancouver, locked away in a safe-deposit box downtown.
In May, it will be brought out of storage to be the star attraction at a conference at Simon Fraser University marking its anniversary.
