In the development of modern optics, who built the first working laser, successfully demonstrating stimulated emission of light in 1960?

Introduction / Context:
Lasers are devices that produce highly focused, coherent beams of light with many scientific, medical and industrial applications. The theoretical idea of stimulated emission was proposed earlier, but a working laser device had to be engineered and tested. This question asks who built the first functioning laser and demonstrated it successfully around 1960.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the first working laser, not the underlying theory of stimulated emission alone.
• The time frame is around 1960.
• The options list scientists associated with radiation, X rays and other areas.
• We assume knowledge of basic physics history at general knowledge level.

Concept / Approach:
Theodore Harold Maiman, abbreviated as T. H. Maiman, built the first working ruby laser in 1960. He used a synthetic ruby crystal as the gain medium and a flash lamp as the energy source. Although Albert Einstein had predicted stimulated emission long before, and others built masers for microwaves, Maiman device was the first that produced visible laser light. Therefore, he is credited with inventing the first operational laser.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that W. K. Roentgen is most famous for discovering X rays, not lasers. Step 2: Recall that A. H. Taylor and Fred Morrison are not the names typically associated with the first laser. Step 3: Identify that T. H. Maiman built a ruby laser and reported its operation in 1960, which matches the question wording. Step 4: Therefore, T. H. Maiman is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Physics history timelines usually state that the first working laser was demonstrated by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. Prior to this, masers operated at microwave frequencies, but visible lasers did not yet exist. While Einstein work on stimulated emission was essential, he did not construct a laser. This consistent emphasis on Maiman in reference materials confirms that his name should be chosen here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• A. H. Taylor: Not widely recognised as the inventor of the first working laser.
• W. K. Roentgen: Discovered X rays and received the first Nobel Prize in Physics, but did not build lasers.
• Fred Morrison: Not known for pioneering laser technology in major physics histories.
• Albert Einstein: Provided the theoretical basis for stimulated emission but did not construct the first working laser device.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners see the name Albert Einstein and want to select it for any cutting edge physics invention. However, this question is about the practical engineering of the first laser, not about the underlying theory alone. Keeping the distinction between theoretical prediction and the first successful device helps you remember that T. H. Maiman deserves the credit in this context.

Final Answer:
The first working laser was built and demonstrated by T. H. Maiman in 1960.