KSS and 50 Years of the Laser
2010 marks the 50'th birthday of the laser. In 1960, Theodore Maiman, C.K. Asawa, and I.J. D’Haenens developed the world's first laser which has now become one of mankind's most widely used inventions. The Khwarzimi Science Society is celebrating 2010 as the birthday year. Building upon the remarkable success of falakyati melas, the KSS is organizing public meetings and lectures describing the science and technology of this ubiquitous invention as well as demonstrations and laser shows.
- National symposium on lasers: We plan to hold two national symposiums on lasers, celebrating one of the greatest inventions of mankind. The first symposium has already taken place on 13 May, 2010 at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Our speakers included Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan, Dr. Masroor Ikram, Dr. Mumtaz Sheikh and Dr. Fida Khattak. The second symposium will take place in November and the speakers will (tentatively) include Dr. Shahid Rafique (UET Lahore), Dr. Zunaira Ansari (Frieburg University, Germany), Dr. Zahid Yaqoob (MIT) and Dr. Sabieh Anwar (LUMS).
- Laser shows: The Khwarizmi Science society is also looking towards the purchase and development of select scientific demonstration equipment such as: lasers, laser projectors, laser spyrographs, glass bulbs, motors and diffraction gratings for laser shows. Ideas and donations are most welcome.
Lecture Series on Laser Fundamentals
Lecture Series on Laser Fundamentals
This series of two classroom lectures will cover the fundamentals of lasers: how they work, what are their characteristics and what are their important types. We will also discuss some of their exciting and useful applications in industry, medicine, communications, optical disks and art and culture. This is in celebration of 50 years of this exciting discovery. Science students (B.Sc. level) are especially welcome to attend. The lectures are in fact part of a semester long course on Atomic and Laser Physics.
Tags: Laser Turns 50 (episode 2)
For registration to this event, visit the Registration page.
Let there be Light: An Overview of Solid State Laser Technology (Dr. Tayyab Imran)
From Theodore Maiman’s small ruby laser to ultrafast Ti:Sapphire laser technology, a solid state laser technology revolution, earning important roles in scientific research, engineering, medicine, materials working, and a host of other applications.
The Use of Lasers in Opthalmology (Dr. Nadeem H. Butt)
Laser Assisted Pump-probe Studies of Atoms (Dr. Aslam Baig)
Laser assisted spectroscopic technique have been exploited to study the highly excited states of atoms; a pump probe experiment. In this technique, at least two dye lasers are required; the first dye laser serves as an exciting laser whereas the second laser serves as an ionizing laser. A Nd:YAG laser SHG (533nm, 500 mJ) and THG (355 nm, 200 mJ) is used to pump the TDL-90 dye laser (line width »0.08 cm-1) and locally fabricated dye lasers (line width »0.25 cm-1) for multi-step or multi-photon excitation/ ionization of atoms. The ions are detected either in a thermionic diode ion detector or in an atomic beam apparatus. We have also utilized the polarization properties of the laser beams to measure the photoionization cross sections of the excited states of atoms. A few examples of the spectra will be presented in addition to the latest experimental results on the photoionization of atoms from the Free Electron Laser Source (FLASH).
Laser Turns 50
Lasers from Islamabad, Lahore and Cern: What Binds them Together (Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan)
The laser is just 50 years old but it is shaping our lives in diverse manners. One key area is precision of measurement. A small Pakistani innovation to the design of the system which makes up the massive detectors in the Large Hadron Collidor at CERN in Geneva is discussed. This is placed in the context of mankind’s greater quest over the centuries for precision, whether these relate to his position on earth or in space, or timekeeping. The principal features of the laser programme in Pakistan is presented briefly.
Laser-generated Pulsed X-ray Sources (Dr. Fida Khattak)
I would be presenting the basic principles of x-ray generation via different schemes using high power laser pulses for the non-specialized. I would be also presenting some experimental results for the audience having research interest in the field.
Fundamentals of Fiber-optic Communications (Dr. Mumtaz Sheikh)
Ever since the advent of the internet, fiber optic communication systems play an important role in our everyday lives. This talk would focus on how do these systems work, what is so special about them compared to traditional electrical communication systems, what kind of
lasers are suitable for such systems, what are some of the issues and tradeoffs that a designer has to consider while designing such systems and where is the technology headed in the future.
Light: Its Applications in Interferometery, Polarimetry and Photodynamic Therapy (Dr. Masroor Ikram)
Light is one of the oldest subject but its true nature has yet to be fully discovered. For more than hundred years its dual nature is well accepted. Optics and Laser Group in PIEAS has worked on some of its applications. Michelson interferometer was reported in the late nineteenth century but its use for precise measurement of angle and axis of rotation is reported very recently. Polarization imaging can produce very high contrast and the technique is useful for material characterization. Photodynamic therapy is an emerging technique to cure the cancers with high selectivity. In the technique, two individually non-toxic components brought together to cause harmful effects on cells and tissues in the presence of oxygen.
