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VLT's laser guide star [97] The first working laser was demonstrated on 16 May 1960 by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. [98] When first invented, they were called "a solution looking for a problem". [99] Since then, lasers have become a multibillion-dollar industry, finding utility in thousands of highly varied applications.
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation.
Laser types with distinct laser lines are shown above the wavelength bar, while below are shown lasers that can emit in a wavelength range. The height of the lines and bars gives an indication of the maximal power/pulse energy commercially available, while the color codifies the type of laser material (see the figure description for details).
Two years after the book was published, the invention of the laser meant that optical physicists and engineers became greatly interested in the topic. The book was the first to cover it in detail, and Born was then very happy that it had been included. XI Rigorous diffraction theory This chapter was written by Dr. P. C. Clemmow.
Laser science or laser physics is a branch of optics that describes the theory and practice of lasers. [ 1 ] Laser science is principally concerned with quantum electronics , laser construction , optical cavity design, the physics of producing a population inversion in laser media , and the temporal evolution of the light field in the laser.
Electro–optics is a branch of electrical engineering, electronic engineering, materials science, and material physics involving components, electronic devices such as lasers, laser diodes, LEDs, waveguides, etc. which operate by the propagation and interaction of light with various tailored materials.
Optoelectronic devices are electrical-to-optical or optical-to-electrical transducers, or instruments that use such devices in their operation. [ 1 ] Electro-optics is often erroneously used as a synonym, but is a wider branch of physics that concerns all interactions between light and electric fields , whether or not they form part of an ...
Light is generated in a semiconductor laser by radiative recombination of electrons and holes. In order to generate more light by stimulated emission than is lost by absorption, the system's population density has to be inverted, see the article on lasers. A laser is, thus, always a high carrier density system that entails many-body interactions.