Lasers and Paul Corkum

The Canada Science and Technology Museum is going to be featuring a public talk by Paul Corkum (mentioned in my May 13, 2009 posting and my March 17, 2009 posting) about the past, the present, and the future for lasers. Titled, Catching Electrons with Light; Celebrating the past, present, and future of the laser in Canada, the event will be held on Jan. 20, 2011 at 7 pm. From the Museum’s event page,

Presentation by Dr. Paul Corkum, University of Ottawa and National Research Council of Canada

Laser technology, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010, is undergoing a revolution. Extremely short laser pulses are providing a powerful new tool in the study of the smallest structures on Earth. The laser’s incredible speed is making it possible to “photograph” electrons, bonds breaking, or atoms rearranging themselves within molecules during a chemical reaction – the very essence of chemistry.

Dr. Paul Corkum of the University of Ottawa and the National Research Council of Canada will discuss recent advances in laser technology. Before the lecture, examine lasers from the Museum’s collection, as well as the National Research Council’s first laser, a recent major acquisition for the Museum. Dr. Alex Szabo of the NRC will be present to share how he and Dr. Boris Stoicheff developed the first Canadian laser in January 1961.

Admission is free. RSVP by January 19, 2011. rsvp@technomuses.ca

I’m glad to hear of this interesting event. I wish they’d webcast these things. It doesn’t have to be livestreamed; all they have to do is video the event and post it online afterwards so those of who don’t live in Ottawa can have access. Perhaps even that is just too expensive?

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