LASER

 

                                                   LASER

Even laymen of the likes of mine frequently use the term laser / laser beam through conversation and writings. Though not any technocrat ourselves, we employ these terms by familiarity and contextual relevance. In a short story that I had spun a few days ago, a lady character was nick-named ‘laser’ -an ascription to her profession. In fact, it prompted me to look for essential details pertaining to the term-‘Laser’- that has resulted in the present effort of mine.  

“LASER” is an abbreviation of the explanatory nomenclature which reads ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation’.

Thus, laser is a product of optical amplification of Electro-magnetic  radiation. It implies that, several steps can be tuned or manipulated to bring out specific ‘output’ by way of wavelength or colour as desired for a select requirement.

The first Laser emitting system seems to have been developed by 1960 and since then has witnessed abundant expansion of the idea and finer specialization along. Spatial coherence in laser delivery systems is an advantage in sustaining typically close beams over long distances [unlike divergence in broad spectrum rays of light]. As opposed to it, a temporal coherence mode can be used to deliver very narrow region of the beam to help in pushing very short pulse durations or also broad spectrum brief pulses. 

Laser has come to stay revolutionizing varied fields-- defence to dentistry, medical application to missiles/ antimissiles/ interceptors as well as stealth destroyers. The precision of laser-based weaponry is too great to ignore. Non-invasive laser treatment of disorders in eyes/ teeth or abdomen are a great boon in saving time for treatment or convalescing, and quite comforting to patients. Abrupt speed and precision over a long range make laser technology very attractive by offering a paradigm shift to modern warfare. Laser-guided missiles deliver lethal blow to opponents and such missiles defy the enemy radars.    

 A race for laser supremacy is already on.  Hopefully humanity eschews war and takes advantage of Laser technology for peaceful activity.

Prof. K.Raman