Laser basics

When people think of lasers they usually conjure up popular impressions from science fiction: the light sabres of the jedi knights in Star Wars, of alien space ships unleashing lethal beams of energy capable of destroying anything in their paths. In short lasers have an image of being futuristic, a technology that for the most part does not impact upon their lives yet but one that may do in the brave new world of the future. The reality however is far different.

History of Lasers

Lasers are not a new technology. Indeed they have been with us for over 40 years and they were first theorised by Albert Einstein in 1917. The first operable 'ruby' laser was invented by Harold Maiman in 1960, closely followed by the first carbon dioxide and Neodymium lasers four years later.

Lasers Today

Since then lasers have spread into numerous industries. Today lasers are widely used in medicine, industry, communications and scientific research in a myriad of ways. In the medical field doctors use them to perform bloodless surgery, to correct short-sight and to treat many dermatological conditions. In everyday life lasers are found at the checkout till of most supermarkets and in numerous household products including DVD players, and personal computers while via fibre optic cables lasers have become the cornerstone of modern telephone lines, cable TV and internet connections.