Open AccessRod Laser – The first laser was a rod laser
Author(s) -
Amler Hans,
Thumbs Josef
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
laser technik journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1863-9119
pISSN - 1613-7728
DOI - 10.1002/latj.200790038
Subject(s) - laser , materials science , optics , ruby laser , solid state , optoelectronics , engineering physics , physics
Laser technology is relatively young. The first laser was built in 1960 by Maiman at AT&T Labs in the USA. It was a rod‐shaped ruby laser, this arrangement having been chosen for its favourable symmetry (Fig. 1). Starting from this device, the technology of solid‐state lasers developed rapidly. The predominantly used geometric shape for the laser medium was the rod. Many different solidstate materials have been tested.