Feature
Early Laser Research Funding
Looking back at large, federally funded laser projects half a century later shows the impact of such efforts on the optics industry.
Copper-vapor pumped dye laser scaled for uranium enrichment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory]
When Optics & Photonics News began publication half a century ago, government research was rapidly becoming an important business for the optics industry. Lasers were still young in 1975, yet mature enough to attract ambitious energy and military projects. Looking back at the big three US government laser programs of the time shows just how far we’ve come—and how much we’ve learned.
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