Laser: Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emissions of Radiation.
The Story of the Laser
- In
1917, a famous scientist named Einstein had a big
idea. He explained the science behind how lasers would one day work — but
back then, nobody actually built one yet.
- In
1954, another scientist named Townes was the first
person to actually use Einstein's idea. He made a machine
that could make microwaves stronger. He called this
machine a MASER (which stands for Microwave Amplification
by Stimulated Emission of Radiation).
- In
1958, Townes and Schawlow (and also two other scientists, Basov and
Prokhorov) figured out how to use the same idea — but this time for light instead
of microwaves. This was the first big step toward the laser.
- Finally,
in 1960, a scientist named Maiman built the very
first working laser. He made it using a special ruby
crystal. This was a huge moment in science history!