3 ms·

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/284158_townes.html http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/284158_townes.htm... 1960. When the first laser appea

by kbutler 12y ago

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/284158_townes.html http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/284158_townes.htm... 1960. When the first laser appeared, scientists and engineers were not really prepared for it. Many people said to me—partly as a joke but also as a challenge—that the laser was "a solution looking for a problem."

ganzuul 12y ago
Einstein predicted stimulated emission in 1917. Light amplification was predicted in 1939. Once the maser was constructed things proceeded rapidly. ...I really dislike HN's downvoters.