Lasers: History and Fun Facts
1. The term laser originated as an acronym meaning "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation."
2. Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories demonstrated the first working laser in 1960.
3. The laser was predated by the "maser," (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation). Based on Einstein's principle of stimulated emission, masers are used in devices such as atomic clocks for precise, standardized frequency measurement.
4. There are many types of lasers, with some of the most common classified as: gas, chemical, solid-state, dye, or stimulated electron lasers.
5. Today lasers are commonplace, found in everything from consumer electronics to medical devices. But in 1960, lasers weren't appreciated as a useful technology, but rather a "solution looking for a problem."
6. Most lasers we encounter everyday operate at a relatively low level of power: lasers in CD-ROM drives will typically peak at 5 mW; DVD players - 5 to 10 mW; recordable CD drives - 100 mW.
7. The most powerful laser on record was the 1.25 petawatt laser operated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California on May 23, 1996.
8. A safety classification system defines the level of danger a laser poses: Class I, II, III and IV. Classes I, II and III represent most lasers found in consumer products and pose no or minor risks to people, while Class IV can cause temporary or permanent blindness and burning of skin.
9. One common misconception has been repeatedly perpetrated by Hollywood. Many popular films have shown a room of visible laser beams protecting museum treasures or other sensitive facilities. The movie's protagonist will perform wild ballet-like movements to slide gracefully around and through the beams to avoid setting off alarms. In reality, while many places use lasers in security systems, they are almost never visible. Not only would they tip off a potential criminal as to what areas to avoid, but visible laser systems are far more expensive and less practical.
10. Another laser myth seen time and time again in films like Star Wars depicts the appearance of lasers in space, often in exciting battles between opposing starfighters. Lasers actually would not be visible in space, due to the lack of matter necessary to cause "scattering," the effect that gives the laser the appearance of a beam of light.
SUBMIT THIS ARTICLE TO...
|
Gadgets & Tech
Real Tron Lightcycle + Other Concepts
10 Ways Videogames are Good for You
Crazy Stun Guns & Safety Gadgets
10 Strange Weapons in History
10 Best Audio Podcasts
Science & Nature
10 Biggest Explosions
Nicotine
Birds and the Bees
Cigarettes
Black Holes
People
U.S. Senator Barack Obama
10 Dumbest George Bush Quotes
Stephen Colbert
Steve Jobs, Apple CEO
Entertainment
10 Real-Life Super Heroes
Will Ferrell in The Landlord
Best Simpsons Quotes on Religion
The Final Harry Potter Book
Men and Women
The Male Body vs Female Body
The Male Brain vs Female Brain
SEX
10About Archive
The Digital Beat
LCD HDTVs:
- Samsung LN-32A550 32"
- Samsung LN-32A650 32"
- Samsung LN-37A550 37"
- Samsung LN-40A450 40"
- Samsung LN-40A530 40"
- Samsung LN-40A550P 40"
- Samsung LN-40A650A 40"
- Samsung LN-40A750R 40"
- Samsung LN-46A530 46"
- Samsung LN-46A550P 46"
- Samsung LN-46A650A 46"
- Samsung LN-46A750R 46"
- Samsung LN-52A530 52"
- Samsung LN-52A550P 52"
- Samsung LN-52A650A 52"
- Samsung LN-52A750R 52"
- Sharp Aquos LC52SE94U 52"
- Sharp Aquos LC65D93U 65"
- Sony KDL-46XBR5 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46W4100 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46Z4100 46" Bravia LCD
- Sony KDL-52W3000 52" Bravia
- Sony KDL-52W4100 52" LCD
- Sony KDL-52XBR5 52" Bravia
- Toshiba REGZA 47HL167 47"
- Toshiba REGZA 52LX177 52"
- Toshiba REGZA 52RV530U 52"
- MORE LCD HDTVS
PLASMA HDTVs:
- Panasonic TH-42PZ85U 42"
- Panasonic TH-42PZ800U 42"
- Panasonic TH-46PZ85U 46"
- Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ800U 46"
- Panasonic TH-50PX75U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ750U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ85U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ850U 50"
- Panasonic TH-65PZ750U 65"
- Pioneer PDP5010FD 50"
- Pioneer PDP5080HD 50"
- Pioneer PDP6010FD 60"
- Pioneer PDP6020FD 60"
- Pioneer PDP6070HD 60"
- Samsung FP-T5894 50"
- Samsung FP-T6374 63"
- Samsung PN-42A450 42"
- Samsung PN-50A450 50"
- Samsung PN-50A550 50"
- Samsung PN-50A650 50"
- Samsung PN-58A550 58"
- Samsung PN-58A650 58"
- MORE PLASMA HDTVS
