A history of high-power laser research and development in the United Kingdom
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Author
Danson, Colin N.
White, Malcolm
Barr, John R. M.
Bett, Thomas
Blyth, Peter
Bowley, David
Brenner, Ceri
Collins, Robert J.
Croxford, Neal
Dangor, A. E. Bucker
Devereux, Laurence
Dyer, Peter E.
Dymoke-Bradshaw, Anthony
Edwards, Christopher B.
Ewart, Paul
Ferguson, Allister I.
Girkin, John M.
Hall, Denis R.
Hanna, David C.
Harris, Wayne
Hillier, David I.
Hooker, Christopher J.
Hooker, Simon M.
Hopps, Nicholas
Hull, Janet
Hunt, David
Jaroszynski, Dino A.
Kempenaars, Mark
Kessler, Helmut
Knight, Sir Peter L.
Knight, Steve
Knowles, Adrian
Lewis, Ciaran L. S.
Lipton, Ken S.
Littlechild, Abby
Littlechild, John
Maggs, Peter
Malcolm OBE, Graeme P. A.
Mangles, Stuart P. D.
Martin, Bill
Attention
2299/24352
Abstract
The first demonstration of laser action in ruby was made in 1960 by T. H. Maiman of Hughes Research Laboratories, USA. Many laboratories worldwide began the search for lasers using different materials, operating at different wavelengths. In the UK, academia, industry and the central laboratories took up the challenge from the earliest days to develop these systems for a broad range of applications. This historical review looks at the contribution the UK has made to the advancement of the technology, the development of systems and components and their exploitation over the last 60 years.