Dr. Arthur Schawlow, head of the Department of
Physics at Stanford University, studies the properties
of a dark ruby rod as he developed the fundamental
physics of a laser.

An electric organ coupled to an
oscilloscope helps show why
getting light in step was so
difficult.

A working model of atoms
demonstrates how ordinary
light is produced and how
laser light is generated and
controlled.

Sequences show Dr.
Schawlow's part in working
out the physics involved
in the first successful laser.

Dr. Schawlow received the
Nobel Prize for his work in
1981. He died in 1999.