40 years: laser--a new light for medicine

Raphaela M. Waidelich; Wilhelm R.A. Waidelich

doi:10.1117/12.446697

23 October 2001 40 years: laser--a new light for medicine

Raphaela M. Waidelich, Wilhelm R.A. Waidelich

Proceedings Volume 4606, Laser Florence 2000: A Window on the Laser Medicine World; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.446697
Event: Laser Florence 2000: A Window on the Laser Medicine World, 2000, Florence, Italy

Abstract

After the advent of the low noise microwave amplifier called MASER an intensive research started to employ the same method for light amplification, the LASER. A paper published in 1958 demonstrated the principle but only in 1960 the goal of a functional laser was reached by Th. Maiman. His ruby laser was the first device being able to produce visible laser radiation. Among the numerous applications of lasers, laser medicine is certainly the one with the most direct impact on humans. We will review the mostly unknown history of the development of the first laser and the beginnings of laser medicine and then outline present day importance of the laser light source for medical application and discuss future possibilities.

Citation Download Citation

Raphaela M. Waidelich and Wilhelm R.A. Waidelich "40 years: laser--a new light for medicine", Proc. SPIE 4606, Laser Florence 2000: A Window on the Laser Medicine World, (23 October 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.446697

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