HISTORY
1917 - Albert Einstein developed the theoretical concept of light traveling in waves of particles (photons) and of "Stimulated Emission" which later become known as Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) an acronym coined by Gordon Gould
1954 - Charles Townes and Arthur Schawlow of Bell Laboratories developed and built the first MASER (Microwave Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) using ammonia gas and microwave energy. Government grant funded Townes and Schawlow were not without their skeptic crowd which read the acronym "MASER" a bit differently, "Means of Acquiring Support for Expensive Research". Schawlow, a Canadian with a sense of humor, claims to have invented the first "Edible Laser" which was made from a Knox gelatin solution.
1960 - Dr. T.H. Maiman at the Hughes Aircraft facilities using a synthetic ruby rod generated millisecond pulses of coherent (not the manufacturer) 694nm, red light, thus producing the first LASER. One of the first units of measure to determine the output power of this new uncharted technology was the "Gillette". How many razor blades can the beam blast a hole through? There is controversy involved in the patent of the first laser. The word "Laser" was actually first coined by Gordon Gould who was a student of Charles Townes (MASER). Gould procrastinated on his laser patent application, but years later won it back through much litigation, giving him the right to claim himself as the official inventor of the optical light laser. Maiman holds the patent for the ruby laser.
1960 - Dr. Ali Javan (associate of Charles Towne) succeeded in creating the first continuous wave laser. Today we call it a He-Ne (helium-neon) 632.6nm (red) gas ion laser. The lasing medium of ion lasers are stimulated electrically by DC high-voltage or RF excitation.
1960's - Dr. Leon Goldman's research into using the laser in medical practice earned him the title, "Father of Laser Medicine". Dr. Leon Goldman's research on the interaction of laser light on biological systems and early clinical studies on humans led the way to the application of the Ruby Laser in retinal surgery in the mid 1960's.
1964 - The Argon Laser was developed. The continuous wave 488nm/515nm (blue-green) argon gas ion laser was much easier to control and even better suited for retinal surgery. The lasing medium of argon gas ion lasers are stimulated electrically by DC high-voltage.
1964 - Kumar Patel invented the CO2 (carbon dioxide) 10,064nm (far-infrared) gas ion laser. The lasing medium of CO2 gas ion lasers are stimulated electrically by DC high-voltage or RF excitation.
1964 - The Nd:YAG (Neodymium doped, Yttrium Aluminum Garnett) 1,064nm (near-infrared) was developed in the same technology as the ruby laser. The lasing medium of YAG lasers are stimulated optically by light (flashlamps).
1969 - The Dye Laser was introduced. The Pulsed Dye Laser was the first laser to produce selective light induced injury. It is used to treat a variety of blood vessel abnormalities such as port wine stains. Before the advent of this laser, these unsightly birthmarks responded poorly to treatment and available therapies often caused permanent facial scarring. The lasing medium of Dye lasers are stimulated optically by light (other lasers).
1975 - The Excimer Laser (noble gas-halide) was invented.
1980 - Dr. Leon Goldman established the ASLMS. The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. is the world's largest professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in patient care by advancing laser applications and related technologies. Dr. Goldman was the first to develop a program to teach Laser Biophysics and Safety. It was in Dr. Goldman's first class where the young Gregory Absten assimilated Dr. Goldman's love and enthusiasm for laser biophysics. Mentored by Dr. Goldman, Absten went on to inherit Dr. Goldman's position as course director for this original program. Through Dr. Goldman's influence, this well-published author, later founded the Professional Medical Education Association, The Laser Training Institute, chair the National Council on Laser Excellence and sit on the board of directors of ASLMS.
