| Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories, based on theoretical work by Charles Hard Townes and Arthur Leonard Schawlow | The first laser was built in 1960 by Theodore H |
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| Spatial coherence also allows a laser beam to stay narrow over great distances collimation , enabling applications such as laser pointers | Spatial coherence allows a laser to be focused to a tight spot, enabling applications such as laser cutting and lithography |
Temporal coherence can be used to produce pulses of light as short as a femtosecond.
9| The device has potential for applications in quantum computing laser introduction Wavelengths of commercially available lasers | Since the early period of laser history, laser research has produced a variety of improved and specialized laser types, optimized for different performance goals, including: new wavelength bands maximum average output power maximum peak pulse energy maximum peak pulse power minimum output pulse duration maximum power efficiency minimum cost and this research continues to this day |
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| Among their many applications, lasers are used in optical disk drives, laser printers, and barcode scanners; DNA sequencing instruments, fiber-optic and free-space optical communication; laser surgery and skin treatments; cutting and welding materials; military and law enforcement devices for marking targets and measuring range and speed; and laser lighting displays in entertainment |
Lasers can also have high temporal coherence, which allows them to emit light with a very narrow spectrum, i.
6.