FIRST - Optical Laser and Amplifier - Southbridge, MA
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neoc1
N 42° 04.494 W 072° 01.603
18T E 745962 N 4662370
A plaque describing the invention of the world's first optical fiber laser and amplifier is located on the green in front American Optical building at 14 Mechanic Street in Southbridge, MA
Waymark Code: WMH7AN
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 06/03/2013
Views: 4
Today optical lasers and optical amplifiers are essential tools in industry and communications. They were invented from 1961 to 1964 by a team of scientists headed by Dr. Elias Snitzer of American Optical Co. in Southbridge, MA.
Dr. Elias Snitzer led the team that pioneered the development of both neodymium-and erbium-doped laser glass used in optical lasers. They also developed the first fiber optic laser amplifier with laser glass. These inventions made possible the of modern fiber optical technology.
A plaque placed in front of the American Optical building describes these accomplishments. It is inscribed:
IEEE MILESTONE IN ELECRICAL ENGINEERING
AND COMPUTING
The First Optical Laser and Amplifier, 1961 - 1964
In 1961, Elias Snitzer and colleagues constructed and
operated the world's first optical fiber laser in the former
American Optical complex at 14 Mechanic Street. Three years
later this team demonstrated the first optical fiber amplifier.
Fiber laser that can cut and weld steel have since become
powerful industrial tools and fiber amplifiers routinely boost
signals in the global optical fiber network allowing messages
to cross oceans and continents without interruption.
October 2012
IEEE
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