Schawlow and Townes receive an optical maser patent
On March 22, 1960, Schawlow and Townes received an optical maser patent.
Published · Updated · 1 min read
The Event
On March 22, 1960, Schawlow and Townes received an optical maser patent.
The Scientific Context
Their design proposed extending coherent radiation into the optical range; a working laser was demonstrated separately.
Design and practical use
A patent or application describes a technical claim at a particular time. A demonstration, a working product and widespread adoption are separate milestones.
Reading the Historical Record
The linked chronology identifies the date; the event or subject reference gives further context. The date refers to the milestone described above.
About the Historical Recreation
The proposed visual shows a period workshop bench with a plausible model and an out-of-focus technical drawing, no invented legible patent. It is an AI illustration, not archival footage or an eyewitness record.
Sources
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