The phenomenon of "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation" (the laser), discovered over twenty years ago, has become one of the most exciting developments in science. Providing a source of intense, coherent, narrowly monochromatic radiation, with the capability of either continuous generation or periodic flashes of extraordinarily short duration (down to pico-seconds), the laser has already had a remarkable effect on research in many diverse areas of engineering and the physical and biological sciences.
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