Feb 2 2011
A Nobel prize-winning pioneer in laser technology has received an honorary degree from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.
Professor Charles Townes, of the University of California at Berkeley, received the Honorary Doctorate of Science for work in the field of quantum electronics, which included the development of the maser- a forerunner of the laser- and which led to him jointly winning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1964.
Professor Charles Townes (left) with Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde.
Professor Townes has been working in physics since the 1930s and remains active as an academic in Berkeley’s Graduate School. He received his honorary degree at a ceremony in San Francisco.
Strathclyde Principal Professor Jim McDonald said: “Professor Townes’ career is remarkable, not only for its longevity but also for the level of innovation he has achieved.
“By pioneering the maser, and carrying out pivotal work in the development of the laser, he helped to pave the way for technology which has a vast range of uses in today’s world, in medicine, energy, communications and computing. After more than 70 years, he continues to contribute to exploration in physics and to the debate on its huge potential.
“Scotland’s laser industry is worth £660 million to the economy and Strathclyde has played a prominent role in its development, through the impact of our high quality research, by nurturing new recruits to the industry and by launching highly innovative companies which have gone on to be successful in the sector. We are proud that another of the world’s most distinguished physicists has joined the Strathclyde community.”
Strathclyde plays a key role in Scotland’s thriving laser sector, which employs 3,000 people, by underpinning it with leading research and productive business links. The University is creating new and improved lasers with applications in fields including healthcare, dentistry, national security and pollution detection.
It also established the first Chair of Photonics and is the lead institution in SU2P, a venture between academic institutions in Scotland, with Caltech and Stanford University in California, exploring commercial opportunities for lasers, optics and semiconductors and researching their applications.
Professor Townes is the fifth Nobel Physics laureate to receive an honorary degree from the University of Strathclyde in recent months. The Honourable Professor Sir Charles Kao, winner in 2009, received the award at a ceremony in Hong Kong in September, 2010, while Professor Eric Cornell, Professor Roy Glauber and US Energy Secretary Dr Steven Chu- joint winners in 1997, 2001 and 2005 respectively- were awarded honorary degrees when they visited Strathclyde in November 2010.