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Lasers at 60: Lasers in Popular Culture

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Sixty years ago this month, Theodore H. Maiman, a physicist at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, Calif., constructed the first laser using a cylinder of synthetic ruby and photographic flash lamps. There have been many milestones in the last six decades. In honor of this breakthrough, Photonics Media will be running periodic coverage throughout the month.

EMMETT WARREN, NEWS EDITOR
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PITTSFIELD, Mass., May 29, 2020 — As the world celebrates the 60th anniversary of the laser, Photonics Media takes a look back at how the technology has been displayed in popular culture over the last 60 years. Some might be surprised that the first reference to a direct-energy weapon came much earlier, in 1897. H.G. Wells wrote of the Martians in his novel The War of the Worlds: “In some way they are able to generate an intense heat in a chamber of practically absolute non-conductivity. This intense heat they project in a parallel beam against any object they choose, by means of a polished parabolic mirror...Read full article

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    Published: May 2020
    Glossary
    ruby laser
    The optically pumped, solid-state laser that uses sapphire as the host lattice and chromium as the active ion. The emission takes place in the red portion of the spectrum.
    integrated photonics
    Integrated photonics is a field of study and technology that involves the integration of optical components, such as lasers, modulators, detectors, and waveguides, on a single chip or substrate. The goal of integrated photonics is to miniaturize and consolidate optical elements in a manner similar to the integration of electronic components on a microchip in traditional integrated circuits. Key aspects of integrated photonics include: Miniaturization: Integrated photonics aims to reduce the...
    Businessmoviescinemalaser tagLaser 60th anniversaryindustrial lasersruby laserTed Maimanintegratedintegrated photonicsSPIEEntertainment

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