LEADER 04735nam 2200781Ia 450 001 9910783353403321 005 20221107215745.0 010 $a0-19-773232-1 010 $a0-19-988242-8 010 $a9786610470853 010 $a1-282-36732-3 010 $a1-280-47085-2 010 $a0-19-802863-6 010 $a9786612367328 010 $a1-60256-702-6 035 $a(CKB)1000000000029099 035 $a(StDuBDS)AH24085254 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000298929 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)12063676 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000298929 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10236460 035 $a(PQKB)10191325 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000173600 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)11169701 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000173600 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10165082 035 $a(PQKB)11580429 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL279442 035 $a(CaPaEBR)ebr10085235 035 $a(CaONFJC)MIL236732 035 $a(OCoLC)816344861 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL4964645 035 $a(CaONFJC)MIL47085 035 $a(OCoLC)1027142177 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL7035311 035 $a(PPN)140849181 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC279442 035 $a(EXLCZ)991000000000029099 100 $a19980505d1999 uy 0 101 0 $aeng 135 $aur||||||||||| 181 $ctxt 182 $cc 183 $acr 200 10$aHow the laser happened$b[electronic resource] $eadventures of a scientist /$fCharles H. Townes 210 $aNew York $cOxford University Press$d1999 215 $a1 online resource (200 p. )$cill., facsim., ports 300 $aIncludes index. 311 $a0-19-512268-2 311 $a0-19-515376-6 327 $a1. The Light That Shines Straight; 2. Physics, Furman, Molecules, and Me; 3. Bell Labs and Radar, a (Fortunate) Detour from Physics; 4. Columbia to Franklin Park and Beyond; 5. Maser Excitement--And a Time for Reflection; 6. From Maser to Laser; 7. The Patent Game; 8. On Moon Dust, and Other Science Advice; 9. The Rains of Orion 330 $aCharles Townes invented the maser and the laser, and was a pioneer in the use of spectroscopic techniques to determine the atomic composition of stars. This is the memoir of a life devoted to scientific research. 330 $bIn How the Laser Happened, Nobel laureate Charles Townes provides a highly personal look at some of the leading events in twentieth-century physics. Townes was inventor of the maser, of which the laser is one example; an originator of spectroscopy using microwaves; and a pioneer in the study of gas clouds in galaxies and around stars. Throughout his career he has also been deeply engaged with issues outside of academic research. He worked on applied research projects forBell Labs; served on the board of directors for General Motors; and devoted extensive effort to advising the government on science, policy, and defense. This memoir traces his multifaceted career from its beginnings on the family farm in South Carolina. Spanning decades of ground-breaking research, the book provides a hands-on description of how working scientists and inventors get their ideas. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific community, showing how scientists respond to new ideas and how they approach a variety of issues, from priority and patents to the social and political implications of their work. In addition,Townes touches on the sociology of science, uncovering some of the traditions and values that are invisible to an outsider. A towering and energetic figure, Townes has explored or pioneered most of the roles available to the modern scientist. In addition to fundamental research, he was actively involved in the practical uses of the laser and in the court cases to defend the patent rights. He was a founding member of the Jasons, an influential group of scientists that independently advises the government on defense policy, and he played an active part in scientific decisions and policies from the Truman through theReagan administration. This lively memoir, packed with first-hand accounts and historical anecdotes, is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of science and an inspiring example for students considering scientific careers. 606 $aLasers$xHistory 606 $aMasers$xHistory 606 $aScience and state$zUnited States$xHistory 615 0$aLasers$xHistory. 615 0$aMasers$xHistory. 615 0$aScience and state$xHistory. 676 $a621.36/6/09 700 $aTownes$b Charles H$050134 801 0$bMiAaPQ 801 1$bMiAaPQ 801 2$bMiAaPQ 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910783353403321 996 $aHow the laser happened$93699345 997 $aUNINA