The forthcoming year is notable for the 50^th anniversary of creation of the first laser in the world.
      
      In 1954 Soviet physicists built first maser – first quantum generator of radio waves, which was a giant leap towards laser – a quantum generator of electromagnetic radiation within optical light range. Many scientists of the world worked hard to become fathers of laser, but the honour of laser development went to the American researcher Theodore Maiman, who launched first laser on artificial ruby in August 1960.
      
      Only five months after Maiman’s publication, Soviet physicists launched first Soviet ruby laser. Today lasers are essential part of various aspects of our life – from cutting metals to eye surgery. As for masers, which are not so widely used, their creators form Soviet Union received the Nobel Prize for their development.
      
      Source: Science & Life