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Theodore Maiman (1927–2007) -

American engineer and physicist Dr. Theodore H. Maiman is widely credited with the invention of the laser, though the device he built was based on theoretical work by Charles Hard Townes (1915–2015) and Arthur Leonard Schawlow (1921–1999). Maiman is pictured with his laser, unveiled on May 16, 1960.

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Bright idea -

Maiman worked in the research and development laboratories at Hughes Aircraft Company, an aerospace and defense contractor founded in 1932 by Howard Hughes. After announcing the laser to the world, he was granted a patent for his invention.

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Brilliance of a million suns -

His device used a synthetic ruby crystal in the shape of a cube, that first absorbed light and then emitted a beam that shone with the "brilliance of a millions suns," according to a report in the New York Times. The laser is pictured at the Maiman residence in Los Angeles. The laser revolutionized the way we live and today is used in hundreds of different ways. The following are just a few.

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Hologram -

Holograms are made by using a laser to project the desired image using a mirror and a partial mirror to reproduce a 3D light field, resulting in an image that still has the depth, parallax, and other properties of the original scene. Holograms have been used to magical effect in the entertainment industry to bring back to life long-dead celebrities on stage.

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Welding -

Laser beam welding is frequently used in high volume applications using automation, as in the automotive industry where their easy automation with robotic machinery and higher quality welds are especially beneficial.

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Telescopes -

Modern telescopes use laser technologies to compensate for the blurring effect of the Earth's atmosphere.

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Laser light displays -

Lasers are used to design lights shows and to project images onto building facades and other surfaces. A special occasion often benefits from a laser light show, such as the New Year's Eve celebration in Kaohsiung City in Taiwan on January 1, 2021.

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Diamond cutting -

One of the best-known and most sought-after gemstones, a diamond is also the hardest natural mineral on the planet. Lasers are therefore used to cut these very desirable rocks. Pictured is a natural diamond, unpolished and not rough cut, being scanned by a laser machine before being cut, also by a laser, to produce the finished product.

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Laser eye surgery -

The laser's pinpoint accuracy makes it ideal for performing laser eye surgery. Because a laser beam can be trained on a very small area, it's often used to reshape the front surface (cornea) of your eyes so that you can focus better.

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Barcode scanner -

Those old enough to remember supermarkets before barcodes will recall those clunky and archaic cash registers and the time spent ringing up the bill. Today, the barcode scanner is arguably the most familiar use for lasers.

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DVD player -

The first DVD players appeared in the mid-1990s, and helped revolutionize the way we view movies. A DVD is made using a laser; it's also read using laser technology, which means decoding light and converting it into a changing pattern of electric currents that in turn is transformed into the film you watch.

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Optical fibers -

Optical fibers are used most often as a means to transmit light. A laser is used to convert information into a series of light pulses that are sent down the cable and translated at the other end by a photoelectric cell. Optical fiber is used as a medium for telecommunication and computer networking. It also has medical applications, for example use in endoscopes.

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Laser pointer -

Laser pointers have many applications. They are popular with lecturers for example, who use the device to highlight a piece of text or emphasize a graph or a set of figures. They can also send a cat into a frenzy as it chases a pinpoint of light across a floor or up a wall. However, laser pointers should never be directed at people's eyes or those of animals, or any type of aircraft in flight.

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Laser skin treatment -

Laser skin treatment is used to combat the effects of acne, wrinkles, scars, and blemishes. The laser is used to remove the outer layers of skin and encourage new growth. A laser can also help remove a port-wine stain, the discoloration of the human skin caused by a vascular anomaly (a capillary malformation in the skin) similar in hue to the deep purple-red of port wine, hence the name.

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Laser cutting -

Used throughout the manufacturing industry as an efficient, accurate, and cost-effective method of producing high-quality components, laser cutting can also mean boring and engraving all sorts of materials.

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Computer mouse -

We've come a long way since the rollerball mouse and those annoying seizures when the ball simply wouldn't track across the mat. These days, lasers are employed to track the surface of your mat or even your desk, and translate this movement onto the computer screen.

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3D laser scanner -

3D laser scanning is now commonplace. It's the process of analyzing a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance. The application is particularly useful for archaeological investigation. Once scanned, objects and land forms can be reproduced using 3D printing.

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Fingerprint recognition -

Back in the day, fingerprinting was a slow and laborious process, and subject to human error. Not anymore. Today, laser beams are used by law enforcement agencies the world over to scan a computerized database of fingerprints, taking only a few seconds to score a match.

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Laser irradiation -

Pictured is a perfect before and after example of how efficient and non-invasive laser cleaning is. What you see is a statue on the facade of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens in France, half of which has been cleaned of contaminants, debris, and impurities by laser irradiation, a low-cost and environmentally-friendly laser application technique much favored by architects and conservationists.

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Laser printer -

A cutting-edge printing device once reserved for those with deep pockets, the laser printer is now an ubiquitous and indispensable bit of kit for the office and any budding home publishing outfit.

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Laser scalpel -

Less invasive than traditional scalpel surgery, using a laser scalpel helps to minimize bleeding and reduces the amount of swelling and discomfort after the procedure. It uses energy that produces laser light to cut a living tissue.

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Tattoo removal -

The savior of many individuals who've later regretted their tattoos, removing unwanted ink by laser nonetheless requires several treatments. This is because a laser slowly breaks down the ink particles in the tattoo into smaller particles. Darker pigments are easier to remove with lasers, as they will absorb the laser energy better.

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Laser engraving -

Working to the same principle as laser cutting, laser engraving is however more finely tuned in that it only takes away some of the material's surface rather than cutting all the way through. The application has industrial as well as fine art uses, especially in the creation of personalized jewelry and the engraving of trophies, plaques, and awards.

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Laser sculpture -

One of the most incredible examples of laser sculpture can be found in Thailand, where an image of the Buddha sitting cross-legged was designed using computer software and then drawn onto the side of Khao Chi Chan Mountain near the city of Pattaya.

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Bubblegram -

Also known as 3D crystal engraving, a bubblegram is a block of glass or transparent plastic containing a laser generated 3D design within, like this cool-looking surfer. The image is composed of many small points of fracture or other visible deformations and appears to float inside the block.

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Lunar laser ranging -

Ever wondered how they accurately measure the distance from the Earth to the Moon? It's done using a process called lunar ranging. During the Apollo program, retroreflectors–devices that reflect light back to its source–were planted on the surface of the Moon to bounce back laser light pulses that were fired from Earth. This enabled scientists to calculate the distance and orbit of our natural satellite to within millimeters.

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Photolithography -

The invention of the laser made possible the advance in microchip technology by way of photolithography—the process of using a laser to print patterns onto a surface or silicon wafer. This is the principal technique for creating the microstructure of a computer chip.

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The laser in movies -

Four years after Theodore Maiman's invention was unveiled to the world, the laser made one of its first appearances in cinema, in this scene from 'Goldfinger' (1964) where James Bond is strapped to a table and threatened by the villain Auric Goldfinger with a deadly laser beam. The laser beam itself was an optical effect added in post-production.

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'Star Wars' (1977) -

Lightsabers, proton torpedoes, and laser canons... 'Star Wars' was made with lasers in mind. And what about the Death Star's super laser beam, capable of obliterating an entire planet with one shot at full power?

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'Tron' (1982) -

In 'Tron,' Jeff Bridges plays Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer who is transported inside the software world of a mainframe computer where he interacts with programs in his attempt to escape. Rather than used as a weapon, the laser becomes a digital transporter. 

Sources: (American Institute of Physics) (The New York Times) (European Southern Observatory) (National Health Service) (International Gem Society) (European Medical Laser Association)

See also: The most brilliant light festivals in Europe

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