Molecular microwave oscillator and new hyperfine structure in the microwave spectrum of NH3, pp. 282-4 in Physical Review Vol. 95, No. 1, July 1, 1954. THE INVENTION OF THE MASER: NOBEL PRIZE 1964

GORDON, J. P., ZEIGER, H. J., TOWNES, C. H.

Published by Lancaster, PA & New York, NY: American Physical Society, 1954

About this Item

First edition, journal issue in original printed wrappers, of the invention of the maser. MASER is an acronym for Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In a maser, atoms or molecules are 'pumped,' so that more of them are at higher energy levels than at the ground state, thus creating a 'population inversion'. This results in a sudden burst of 'coherent' light as the atoms discharge in a rapid chain reaction ('coherent' means that the light waves all have the same frequency and a constant phase difference, unlike the light from a light bulb which contains waves of many different frequencies and varying phase differences). This process of 'stimulated emission' was first predicted by Einstein in 1916, but it would take nearly 40 years before scientists would be able to amplify those emissions, proving Einstein correct and putting masers (and their optical analogues, lasers) on the path to becoming the powerful and ubiquitous tools they are today. Charles Hard Townes of Columbia University in New York conceived the idea for the maser while sitting on a park bench in Washington on April 26, 1951, but it was not until 1954 that Townes, working with Herbert J. Zeiger and graduate student James P. Gordon, demonstrated the first operational maser at Columbia University (reported in the offered paper). This ammonia maser, the first device based on Einstein's predictions, produced the first amplification and generation of electromagnetic waves by stimulated emission. The maser radiated at a wavelength of a little more than 1 cm and generated approximately 10 nW of power. Townes was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in physics for his 'fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which has led to the construction of oscillators and amplifiers based on the maser-laser-principle'. He shared the prize with Moscow researchers Nikolai G. Basov and Alexander M. Prokhorov who, in 1955, developed the important 'three-level' method of producing population inversion by 'pumping' with a powerful auxiliary source of radiation. Large 8vo, pp. [ii], 309. Original printed wrappers (spine sunned and with a tiny bit of wear at the head). Seller Inventory # ABE-1609848779545

Bibliographic Details

Title: Molecular microwave oscillator and new ...

Publisher: Lancaster, PA & New York, NY: American Physical Society

Publication Date: 1954

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: Very Good

Edition: 1st Edition