lasers are cool!

The first laser was demonstrated in 1960 by Theodore Maiman and his research group at Hughes† in California.  Here is a good background article on the first laser, its inventor and the role that Einstein played in developing the theory of stimulated emission.

The principle of laser operation is outlined in this description of Maiman’s laser, which used a rod of polished ruby inside a spiral flashtube.

My favourite James Bond film, Goldfinger, has a scene where Sean Connery (the best 007 imho) is strapped to a table under a huge red laser.  It should have been a saw but the invention of the laser, just 4 years earlier, was a gift for the writers.  This scene helped the film win the best effects Oscar in 1965 and, more importantly, gave us the ultimate Bond quote:

Bond: Do you expect me to talk?
Goldfinger: No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.

Everyone should watch the laser scene.

Bonus points if you can tell me about the bad physics in that clip…

You can try running a laser for yourself.  Click on the picture below to load a simulator.  You’ll need Java on your computer to run the simulation.

Screen shot 2013-04-18 at 19.26.22

 

Try changing lamp (pump) irradiance and mirror reflectivity on the single atom version before moving on to the multiple atom tab.

There are some pdf notes on lasers attached to the end of this post.

† Disclaimer: I used to work for Hughes before I trained as a physics teacher – the Glenrothes branch, not California 🙁

vulcan laser

How cool a name is that?

Vulcan is the highest intensity (do you think they mean highest irradiance?) laser in the world and it’s in a British research laboratory.  Watch the video to learn more about it.

I wonder if Peter has read the comments under this video on the youtube site?

bang goes the theory – a homemade laser

We’ve just studied stimulated emission and how it can be used to make a laser.  I noticed the BBC1 schedule for this week says that Jem is going to make his own laser in this week’s programme.  BBC1 Scotland will show the programme on Friday 15th April at 20.30.

You should be able to watch it online before then – look for episode 5 of series 4 on iPlayer.  Here is the trailer.

Goldfinger’s laser – update

Just one comment so far that correctly identifies the bad physics in my post about Goldfinger’s laser.  If anyone else wants to leave a comment I will give you until the end of the Easter holidays to watch the clip and post your ideas.

I won’t publish any of your comments until then.

Goldfinger’s laser

Lasers are celebrating their 50th birthday this year.  The first laser was demonstrated in 1960 by Theodore Maiman and his research group at Hughes† in California.  Here is a good background article on the first laser, its inventor and the role that Einstein played in developing the theory of stimulated emission.

The principle of laser operation is outlined in this description of Maiman’s laser, which used a rod of polished ruby inside a spiral flashtube.

My favourite James Bond film, Goldfinger, has a scene where Sean Connery (the best 007 imho) is strapped to a table under a huge red laser.  It should have been a saw but the invention of the laser, just 4 years earlier, was a gift for the writers.  This scene helped the film win the best effects Oscar in 1965 and, more importantly, gave us the ultimate Bond quote:

Bond: Do you expect me to talk?
Goldfinger: No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.

Everyone should watch the laser scene.

Bonus points if you can tell me about the bad physics in that clip.

†I used to work for Hughes before I trained as a physics teacher – the Glenrothes branch, not Malibu Beach, California.