High Energy Lasers: A Sensible Choice for Future Weapon Systems?

Introduction In 1916 Albert Einstein postulated the effect of stimulated emission of radiation and thereby laid the theoretical foundations of modern laser technology. However, it was not before 1960 that the first laser, a ruby laser, was built by T.H. Maiman. Today, lasers are widely employed in both civilian and military settings. Examples for civilian applications include CD-players, medical lasers, industrial laser welding and laser induced fusion experiments. Militarily, lasers are used as range finders, communication devices and target designators for laser guided weapons.