The invention of the laser in 1960 is now regarded as one of the most significant developments of the 20th Century, with an impact on society that would have been impossible to predict. Initially regarded as little more than a scientific curiosity, and famously described as "a solution looking for a problem", lasers are now well established components of modern technology. They drive optical telecommunications and optical data storage systems, are used in engineering for measurement, materials processing and fabrication, and are finding numerous applications in fields including astronomy, biology and medicine. Lasers have also allowed scientists to explore new fields of research, carrying out experimental tests on the most fundamental of physical theories. The story of how the laser was first developed is compelling, involving a number of fascinating individuals and the combined efforts of separate research groups working around the world. The History of the Laser offers a readable account of this remarkable period of scientific endeavour, focusing on the people involved and their particular contributions. However, far more than a historical narrative, the book also offers an accessible and non-mathematical description of the fundamental nature of light and of the operating principles behind lasers. Suitable for scientists and general readers alike, it will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history and development of science and technology.

Book jacket.