The IAP was founded on June 2nd, 1961 as part of the faculty of natural sciences. Today about 56 employees research and teach in four divisions focusing on Biomedical Photonics, Laser Physics, Nonlinear Optics and Microwave Physics.
Early Years of the Laser in Switzerland
In the years immediately after the first laser demonstration in 1960 in USA an extensive research activity started in Switzerland and especially at the University of Bern. New laser concepts and metrology methods as well as medical and industrial applications were developed.The IDL2020 call to celebrate the 60th laser anniversary prompted us to collect, review and summarize the pioneering achievements of those days.The report should interest all those who are fascinated by the development of modern optics and photonics which impressively shape our world today and in future. The article can be downloaded from https://www.lightday.org/early-laser-in-switzerland
