Hannover 2010 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Downloads | Help

SYLA: Symposium 50 Years of Lasers

SYLA 2: 50 Years of Lasers II

SYLA 2.4: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 18:00–18:30, E 415

Solid State Lasers:meeting the challenges of the 21st Century — •Robert L. Byer — Stanford University

In the fifty years since the demonstration of the laser, coherent light has changed the way we work, communicate and play. The generation and control of light is critical for meeting important challenges of the 21st century from fundamental science to the generation of energy.

A look back at the early days of the laser will be contrasted to the recent breakthroughs in solid state lasers and the applications to fundamental science of gravitational wave detection, remote sensing, and laser induced fusion for energy production.