| Laser technology has powered remarkable progress in the 50 years since the invention of the first laser in 1960, and even more exciting advances are underway in research institutions and corporate and government labs around the world. Follow the latest R&D with the SPIE Advancing the Laser tribute and hear what industry and research leaders have to say about the future. |
NEW and NOTABLE - "Laser-optics qualification for space applications," by Wolfgang Riede and Denny Wernham, SPIE Newsroom, 28 December 2009.
 Suitable optical
components must be developed to ensure reliable, efficient, and autonomous operation of space laser systems.
- "Nanostructuring of solids with femtosecond laser pulses ," by Andreas Ostendorf, et al., Proc. SPIE 5448, 2004; newly open-access from the SPIE Digital Library. A simple laser-based technology for the fabricatin of two- and three-dimensional nanostructures with structure sizes on the order of several hundred nanometers is required for many appliactions in photonics.
- "The CO2 laser: the workhorse of the laser material processing industry," by Anthony DeMaria and Thomas Hennessey, January 2010. Since Ted Maiman's creation of the first working laser nearly 50 years ago, the laser material processing market has grown, and the CO2 laser, which will be 46 years old this year, has captured the largest portion of that market. A summary of CO2 laser technology and a guide to choosing the best type of CO2laser.
Open access to technical articles and features on laser technology
In their own words: Podcasts and video interviews with laser researchers
Top laser researchers and developers talk about their work, in the SPIE Newsroom: More podcasts and video interviews from the SPIE Newsroom archive.
Free posters and DVDs for students and educators
- Poster: "Lasers: The Incredible Power of Light"
Lasers solve a plethora of problems and have changed the face of research, medicine, communications, security, entertainment, and other aspects of life. Learn about laser varieties and technology with this informative poster.
- DVD: "Light in Action: Lasers, Cameras & Other Cool Stuff"
Audience age: 9-11
Kids showing kids that science can be fun and exciting and that advancements with light are all around them.
View the Light in Action demonstrations:
Pinhole camera experiment
Bubble experiment
Kaleidoscope experiment
- DVD:"Optics: Light at Work"
Audience age: 12-13
Real world applications of optics technology, as well as, examples of "cool" new technology such as nanomedicine, space telescopes, invisibility, and solar energy.
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Celebrate and salute!
Displays detailing laser advances of the past 50 years and celebrating those who have moved the technology forward, exhibits of vintage laser gear, special panels and speakers, and other events celebrating laser technology will be held throughout the golden anniversary year at SPIE events: - SPIE Advanced Lithography in San Jose, California, 21-25 February
- SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing in Orlando, Florida, 5-9 April
- SPIE Photonics Europe in Brussels, Belgium, 12-16 April
- SPIE Astronomical Instrumentation in San Diego, California, 27 June - 2 July
- SPIE Optics + Photonics in August, both in San Diego, California.
Advancing the Laser efforts are supported by:  
 
 
 
 
 
Call for papers open:
Optical Engineering special section on lasers 
The call for papers has been opened for a special section on lasers to be published in Optical Engineering, SPIE's flagship journal, in 2010. Check out this link for details: spie.org/x1809.xml.
Manuscript deadline is 1 February. Gregory Quarles is Editor of the special section, and Yehoshua Kalisky is Co-Editor. Papers will be available through the SPIE Digital Library or journal subscription.
SPIE is a
Founding Partner and Sponsor
of LaserFest. Through community-based events and programs, LaserFest is helping to showcase the
prominence of the laser in today's world. SPIE has joined other LaserFest Founding Partners in funding grants for laser outreach in schools and communities.
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