Laser history (first working laser): What was the active medium used in the first operational laser? Identify the gain medium in Theodore Maiman's 1960 demonstration. Choose the correct medium.

Difficulty: Easy

Helium–Neon gas
CO₂ gas
Nd:YAG crystal
Ruby (Cr³⁺:Al₂O₃) crystal

Correct Answer: Ruby (Cr³⁺:Al₂O₃) crystal

Explanation:

Given data

Pioneer: Theodore H. Maiman, 1960.

Concept/Approach
The first functioning laser was a solid-state ruby laser, using chromium-doped sapphire (Cr³⁺:Al₂O₃) as the active/gain medium.

Reasoning
• Gas lasers (He–Ne, CO₂) and Nd:YAG came later; Maiman's breakthrough used synthetic ruby.

Final Answer
Ruby (Cr³⁺:Al₂O₃) crystal

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