Stories by Arthur L. Schawlow

For almost a century light emitted by the simplest of atoms has been the chief experimental basis for theories of the structure of matter. Exploration of the hydrogen spectrum continues, now aided by lasers

Its outstanding characteristic is that its waves, unlike the waves from ordinary light sources, are coordinated in space and in time. It is also remarkably intense, directional and chromatically pure

Just three years ago this month the first optical maser, or laser, was announced. Today about 500 U.S. groups are engaged in laser development. The prospects are dazzling, the technical choices hard

These devices generate light in such a manner as to open up a whole new realm of applications for electromagnetic radiation. The salient feature of the light they produce is that its waves are all in step