Abstract:

In this paper, the history of the first lasers is considered. The history of the formation of a new direction of science - quantum electronics, associated with the discovery of masers and lasers by US scientists (Ch. Towns) and the USSR (N.G. Basov and A.M. Prokhorov). The world´s first ruby laser, developed by T. Meiman, is presented. Also, specific examples of the use of laser technologies in various fields are described. With the advent of lasers, research began to improve the stability of their frequency. Based on lasers, sources of electromagnetic waves of the optical range with high frequency stability were created. This contributed to the use of lasers in the military industry for navigation, accurate determination of the distance to the object and the speed of the object. Laser technologies are already solving the tasks of launching space and/or cruise missiles and controlling their flight. Lasers are widely used in medicine as a bloodless scalpel in ophthalmology, in the treatment of skin diseases. With the help of laser technologies, it was possible to develop a technique that allows to determine the nuclei of cells and distinguish healthy cells from malignant ones, i.e. to conduct a biopsy during surgery. In the field of ecology, laser locators are used to control the distribution of pollutants in the atmosphere at various altitudes, determine the speed of air currents, the composition and temperature of the atmosphere. Laser technologies are used for the manufacture of thin films from gaseous raw materials by chemical deposition using light energy. In everyday life, everyone also meets with lasers. Semiconductor (diode) lasers are especially widespread, which are used in printers, music players, computers, flashlights, and children´s toys.

Keywords: laser; history of the creation of lasers; Theodore Maiman; the principle of laser operation; the use of lasers; lasers in military affairs; lasers in medicine