International Day of Light
May 16th is the International Day of Light, celebrating the first fruitful laser trial by physicist Theodore Maiman in 1960. The study of light has led to many advances in technology and improvements to our everyday lives, which is why it is a UNESCO event. From UNESCO’s website:
Without light, our planet would be but a cold and barren place. Indeed, where there is light, there is often an abundance of life. Yet light represents even more for humanity. Light goes hand in hand with knowledge; it is a lens through which to see and understand the world.
Our Center for History of Physics has a web exhibit titled Bright Idea: The First Lasers all about how lasers and masers came to exist. Check out the exhibit linked above, as well as this Tweet thread that explains key points from the exhibit in a condensed format below.
(P.S. For even more wonderful web exhibits, check out our Museum Tour post!)Happy #LightDay2023! In the week leading up to the International Day of Light, we're taking you on a journey through our laser science web exhibit, from the invention of the maser in 1954 to the practical applications of lasers today. Stay tuned! https://t.co/BBIOtx920J 🧵 pic.twitter.com/6VkyTrcQbn
— Center for History of Physics (@aip_history) May 8, 2023
— Center for History of Physics (@aip_history) May 8, 2023
As the Cold War against the Soviet Union began, the US government poured funds into basic and applied research. Industrial and university laboratories proliferated during this time. It was from this fertile soil that the laser would grow. #LightDay2023 pic.twitter.com/Kskqofe6tr
— Center for History of Physics (@aip_history) May 9, 2023
Charles Townes of @Columbia University studied molecules in the 1930s and worked on radar as an electronics engineer during the war. @USNavyResearch challenged him & other physicists to invent a way to make powerful radiation beams at ever shorter wavelengths. #LightDay2023 pic.twitter.com/XwJe2NCEH4
— Center for History of Physics (@aip_history) May 10, 2023
Check out the full thread .
