The History of Lasers: From Theory to Technology

The concept of stimulated emission, essential to lasers, was proposed by Albert Einstein in 1917.
In 1954, Charles Townes and Arthur Schawlow developed the theoretical framework for the maser and laser.
The first working laser, a ruby laser, was built by Theodore Maiman in 1960.
Early lasers produced coherent, intense beams of light, unlike conventional sources.
Gas lasers, like the helium-neon laser, followed in the early 1960s and became widely used.
Semiconductor lasers emerged in the 1970s, enabling optical communication and consumer electronics.
Lasers have been used in medicine for eye surgery, dermatology, and precise cutting.
Industrial applications include cutting, welding, and materials processing with laser beams.
Scientific research employs lasers for spectroscopy, cooling atoms, and measuring distances precisely.
From theoretical insight to modern applications, lasers transformed communication, medicine, and technology worldwide.