Southbridge, MA - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has honored the late Elias Snitzer, inventor and pioneer of the fiber laser, with a plaque outside the American Optical Company's Research Center in Southbridge, MA. The dedication ceremony on Oct. 26 recognized the achievement as a milestone in electrical technology.
Snitzer, who passed away on May 21, demonstrated the first optical fiber laser in 1961. His visionary inventions include both neodymium-and erbium-doped laser glass; he also co-developed the first fiber-optic laser amplifier with laser glass, preceding today's communication devices by 30 years.
Jeff Hecht, contributing editor to ILS' sister publication Laser Focus World, attended the ceremony. His summary of the event can be read here.