Laser Physicist

Laser Physicist provides a first hand account of academic politics at Australia's Macquarie University during the "revolt of the sciences" that led to the reform of its degree structure. The description then extends to academic laser research and the author's transition to the United States via a major Southern university. The author, a real life laser physicist, then offers a rare insider's view of high-power laser research at the height of the Cold War, during Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. Laser Physicist then gives the reader an overview of industrial research in America. This is done from the vantage point of a major industrial icon, Eastman Kodak, at its pinnacle, and describes the transition of this icon towards decline and virtual oblivion. Abundant use of anecdotes, and interaction with major physics figures of the quantum era, illustrate the finer points. Academic, industrial, and wider experiences lead the author to reflect on issues of life and ethics. His thoughts on a series subjects ranging from the beauty of physics, quantum mechanics, the emergence of nanogods, to what he calls the "big question" are expressed in a series of readable short essays and sketches.