BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA -- The first laser was small enough to hold in the palm of your hand. But in the 50 years since Theodore Maiman successfully built and fired the first laser, the technology has made enormous changes in the way we live our lives. This Sunday marks the golden anniversary of the invention that kicked off a major industry and paved the way for numerous life-enhancing advances.
Laser technology enables the internet, personal computers and PDAs, new cancer treatments, restored vision, exploration of deep space, solar and other clean energy production, non-invasive detection and treatment of malaria and other diseases, CD and DVD players, manufacture of all sort of items with unparalleled precision, and much more.
A laser emits beams of just one of the many wavelengths that occur in natural light. Multiple varieties of lasers have been developed, each working with different wavelengths of light with different intensities and properties, enabling numerous, varied uses.
The laser anniversary is receiving high-level recognition. Yesterday, U.S. President Barack Obama issued a message to SPIE commending scientists and engineers whose work led to the invention and further advancement of the laser. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing the anniversary, as well as the need for continued support of scientific research.
Observances this Sunday will mark the date that Maiman and colleague Irnee D'Haenens excited a pink ruby and saw a spot of red light on the wall of their lab.
Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) is sponsoring Laser Celebration 2010 to honor Maiman, who taught at SFU before his death in 2007. The event will feature a rare live demonstration of the original device, and is cosponsored by SPIE.
Other anniversary celebrations on Sunday will include a LaserFest symposium in San Jose, California, and a gathering at HRL Labs, the former Hughes Research Labs in Malibu, California, where Maiman built and fired the laser.
SPIE has been celebrating laser technology all year, through its Advancing the Laser tribute and as a Founding Partner of LaserFest, a collaboration among the scientific community.
Share in the celebration and learn more about a technology that touches nearly every aspect of modern life:
Among projects funded by $51,000 in LaserFest grants from SPIE are a traveling laser science show produced by faculty at the University of Newcastle, Australia; laser camps for kids presented by Three Rivers Community College, Connecticut, USA; and laser shows for elementary school children in New Jersey, USA, provided by Laser Guy Productions.
SPIE , the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 188,000 constituents from 138 countries, the Society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific, and supports scholarships, grants, and other education programs around the world. In Europe, SPIE supports the optics and photonics community by acting as an advocate and liaison to political and industry associations.
###
Media Contact:
Amy Nelson
Public Relations Manager
amy@spie.org
Tel: +1 360 685 5478