Development history of the laser

Abstract

An attempt is made at objectively assessing the contribution made by Soviet scientists to the origination of laser physics, which the author believes tends to be underestimated abroad. Together with the concept of induced radiation, the three-level method and the open resonator were to become cornerstone proposals for laser physics, as were semiconductor active media, carrier injection through the p–n junction, double heterostructure lasers, and laser fusion.