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What did Charles H. Townes build before the laser?
Townes and his collaborators built the first maser in 1953. A maser amplifies microwaves, while the later laser applies related principles to light.
Why did Charles H. Townes win the 1964 Nobel Prize?
Townes shared the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics for foundational work on masers and lasers. He received it with Nikolay Basov and Aleksandr Prokhorov.
What is the difference between a maser and a laser?
A maser works with microwave radiation, while a laser works with visible or other optical light. Both rely on stimulated emission to amplify radiation.
Was Townes involved in astronomy too?
Yes. Townes later worked in infrared astronomy and molecular studies of space. His career connected laboratory physics with astronomical observation.
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