Laser Science and Technology

by Arthur N. Chester, V.S. Letokhov, Sergio Martellucci

The conference Laser Science and Technology was held May 11-19, 1987 in Erice, Sicily. This was the 12th conference organized by the Internatio- nal School of Quantum Electronics, under the auspices of the Ettore Majorana Center for Scientific Culture. This volume contains both the in- vited and contributed papers presented at the conference, covering current research work in two areas: new laser sources, and laser applications. The operation of the first laser by Dr. Theodore Maiman in 1960 initia- ted a decade of scientific exploration of new laser sources. This was fol- lowed by the decade of the 1970s, which was characterized by technology push in which the discoveries of the 1960s were seeking practical applica- tion. In the 1980s we are instead seeking applications pull, in which the success and rapid maturing of laser applications provides both inspiration and financial resources to stimulate additional work both on laser sources and applications. The papers presented in these Proceedings attest to the great vitali- ty of research in both these areas: New Laser Sources. The papers describe current developments in ultra- violet excimer lasers, X-ray lasers, and free electron lasers. These new lasers share several characteristics: each is a potentially important coher- ent source; each is at a relatively short wavelength (below 1 micrometer); and each is receiving significant development attention today.

455 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1989

About the author

Arthur N. (A.N.) Chester is retired President of HRL Laboratories, Malibu, California and former co-director of the International School of Quantum Electronics in Erice, Sicily.

I write in three worlds:
- Nonfiction as Arthur N. Chester. This work consists of technical articles and books like the ones listed in my author profile. These are mainly of interest to specialists in laser technology and technology management.
- Fiction as Art Chester and my pen name Urno Barthel. My short stories and mysteries explore life in the research lab -- the personalities, the romances, the secrets inside the “ivory tower” where new technology is created.
- Science for Nonscientists as Art Chester on my website https://artchester.net. I look at the facts behind science headlines, and I also speculate about what the work means, where it will lead us.

I write both fiction and nonfiction because I've been able to see technology and science from two perspectives: as an insider -- a researcher, a manager, a president of a research lab; and as an outsider -- a person who reads the news and says, what the heck is going on here? Because a scientist, looking at technology outside his own field, is just one more person trying to make sense out of confusing and complicated information.