Scientists Mark Bulgarian Copper Bromide Vapour Laser's 50th Anniversary

Nikolay Zabov

Nikola Sabotinov at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, April 24, 2024 (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

24.04.2024 18:36

(BTA)

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The Institute of Solid State Physics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (ISSP-BAS) marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of the copper bromide (CuBr) vapour laser with an anniversary scientific panel at the BAS here on Wednesday.

The low-temperature copper bromide vapour laser was invented by Academician Nikola Sabotinov. The ISSP started using it in 1974. The laser, which has been patented in Bulgaria, France, USA, the UK, Germany, Japan and Australia, was recognized as the Invention of the Year in 1979.

Today the CuBr laser is produced by the Bulgarian company Pulselight, by Norseld in Australia and by Bison in the Republic of Korea. It is used in medicine, in the precision material processing industry, in laser location and navigation, for laser displays and seawater research, and more.

The panel began with a talk by Sabotinov, who spoke about the long and difficult road from the invention of the laser in 1974. The panel continued with presentations by the scientists who took part in creating the prototype.

The event was attended by the BAS Vice Presidents Stefan Hadjitodorov and Evdokia Pasheva, Zornitsa Georgieva of the Ministry of Education and Science, Prof. Asen Pashov of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Assoc. Prof. Borislav Velikov of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, head of the Union of Physicists in Bulgaria Aleksandar Draishu and Petar Atanasov of the BAS.

Hadjitodorov pointed at the invention of the laser as a great example of how products can be created in Bulgaria to serve the public not only here, but also around the world.

Georgieva said that her Ministry will continue to support the development of "Bulgaria's laser science". At the end of her speech, she read an address from Director General of ELI ERIC, Allen Weeks. ELI ERIC (Extreme Light Infrastructure European Research Infrastructure Consortium) is the world's largest and most advanced high-power laser infrastructure, as well as a global technological and innovation leader in laser systems.

Congratulatory addresses were also sent by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, Rakovski National Defence College, the Bulgarian Industrial Association, the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and Norseld.

/NF/