The organizers of LaserFest, the celebration in 2010 to mark the 50th anniversary of the development of the first laser, announced that the Laser Institute of America (LIA) will be participating as a partner in the initiative. LaserFest partners are organizations, including universities, research institutions, museums and corporations that help promote the 50th anniversary of the laser through self-hosted programs and initiatives.
“The invention of the laser laid the foundation both for Nobel-Prize-level scientific accomplishments and for many of today’s most important technologies,” said Anthony Siegman, member of the LaserFest Technical Advisory Committee. “Members of organizations like the Laser Institute of America have helped further the advancement of laser technology throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The impact of this invention is felt everywhere in our daily lives, and the importance of this achievement will be reflected in the depth and breadth of LaserFest activities.”
Through its collaboration in LaserFest, the scientific community will honor the pioneers who made possible the discovery, development and application of the laser, as well as inform students, educators, legislators, funding agencies and the general public about the impact of the laser and the importance of scientific and technological innovation. Educational outreach will focus on raising awareness of the laser as a transformative technology by highlighting today’s laser innovations and tomorrow’s possibilities.
Multiple organizations have already signed up in support of LaserFest. Levels of support in addition to partners include sponsors, founding partners, media partners, participants and patrons. The National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy have signed on as sponsors, each contributing $150,000. Founding partners, whose missions have a strong foundation in laser science and technologies and who make financial and/or “in kind” contributions of $100,000 or more, currently include the American Physical Society, the Optical Society, SPIE and the IEEE Photonics Society. A complete list of sponsors and more information about supporting LaserFest can be found on the LaserFest Web site.
About LaserFest
LaserFest, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the laser, emphasizes the laser’s impact throughout history and highlights its potential for the future. Through a series of events and programs, LaserFest showcases the prominence of the laser in today’s world. For more information, visit www.LaserFest.org.
About LIA
Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. LIA is the secretariat and publisher of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136 series of laser safety standards. For more information, visit www.laserinstitute.org.