How does Schawlow's laser research apply to today's science?
The precise control over light that lasers provide is fundamental to so much of modern science. Take, for instance, the field of quantum computing or the development of increasingly sensitive scientific instruments. My work on laser cooling, for example, allows us to slow down and trap atoms with incredible precision, which is essential for building better atomic clocks and exploring fundamental quantum phenomena. A laser is just a light that knows what it wants to do, and by learning to harness that 'intent,' we've opened doors to manipulating matter at its most fundamental level. The ability to tune lasers to specific wavelengths is still a cornerstone.
Ask Arthur Leonard Schawlow the follow-up →