The Institute of Physics(IoP)is to celebrate 50 years of the laser diode at the University of Warwick later this month.
"In October 1962,four papers were submitted for publication reporting the realisation of the first lasers operating in semiconductors pumped by a p-n junction,"said the IoP."These were rudimentary structures compared with today's devices yet they set in train a series of developments which have revolutionised data storage and communication systems,with economic and social benefits.The purpose of this meeting is to celebrate the achievements of 1962 and to look forward to the continuing developments which can be foreseen for semiconductor materials as a laser medium,organic and inorganic,in the future."
Keynote contributors include Maurice Bernard from France,Marshall Nathan from the US,Yuri M Popov from Russia along with Cyril Hilsum and Robin Thompson from the UK who will recollect their early work.
"Jim Coleman from the University of Illinois,a former student of[LED inventor Dr Nick]Holonyak,will give a survey of landmark developments since that time through heterostructures,quantum confinement and strain,"said the IoP.
There will be further invited presentations and discussion regarding future developments and applications of semiconductor lasers.
Poster contributions are invited from PhD students and post-docs which describe recent advances in devices and applications.
Sponsors include:Rank Prize Funds,Royal Academy of Engineering,Royal Society,IET,National Physical Laboratory,ERA,UCL,and the IEEE UK and Ireland section.
