Did you know the world’s most powerful laser has the power of a hydrogen bomb? Or that lasers are actually grouped into classes according to levels of danger, and a 5 could mean permanent blindness and burning skin? If you want to know more about the fascinating world of lasers, drop in at the month-long exhibition under way at Periyar Science and Technology Centre at Kotturpuram.
The exhibition showcases different types of laser and their application in various fields – art, code reading, cutting, defence, medicine, marketing and beam welding. “The objective of the exhibition is to make the general public and students aware of the journey of the laser in the last 50 years and its application,” said P Iyamperumal, executive director, Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre. “This is an exclusive exhibition on laser and its application in various fields like distance measurement, surface engraving and deep engraving in crystal glass.”
Also on display is valuable information about the properties, classes of laser and information on safety measures. The exhibition highlights the contribution of Indian scientists to the development of laser technology. It was C Kumar N Patel, an Indian-born scientist, who developed the carbon dioxide laser at Bell Laboratory in the United States in 1963. “It is widely used in industry for cutting and welding, and as a scalpel in surgery among other things,” Iyyamperumal pointed out.
Inaugurating the exhibition, R Anandan, founder-president of The Physics Society, said physics was as “sweet” as sugarcane and interesting too.
The exhibition also has an interactive laser show and a quiz corner for students.