The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

John Meurig Thomas, David Phillips: Crystals and Lasers

In the 1987 CHRISTMAS LECTURES, Professors John Meurig Thomas and David Phillips explore the science and applications of crystals and lasers, reviving some of the key experiments from the history and evolution of physical sciences and exploring what the future might bring.

Where to Watch The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures • John Meurig Thomas, David Phillips: Crystals and Lasers

6 Episodes

  • The Micro-world
    E1
    The Micro-worldA visit to the extraordinary micro-world of crystals and lasers where atoms are only l/10,000th of a millionth of a metre apart, and laser light pulses only l/100th of one millionth of one millionth of a second. In their first lecture, John Meurig Thomas and David Phillips examine the symmetry and other striking physical characteristics of minerals and gemstones.
  • The Architecture of Crystals
    E2
    The Architecture of CrystalsHow does a crystal look like up close? John Meurig Thomas uses optical and electron diffraction to reveal the crystal architecture and explains how the architecture of proteins links to their function.
  • Crystal Miracles
    E3
    Crystal MiraclesFrom seeing in the dark to ultra high-speed trains, new uses of crystals will soon revolutionise our world. Levitating with superconductors, charging with semiconductors and combusting with catalysts. John Meurig Thomas demonstrates the use of these materials in our everyday life.
  • Constructing a LASER
    E4
    Constructing a LASERHow do you Amplify Light with Stimulated Emission of Radiation? In this lecture David Phillips shows us step by step how to construct a LASER.
  • The Light Fantastic
    E5
    The Light FantasticLASERs are not just for pointing at the board. David Phillips shows us the different applications of LASERs from their use in research to detecting pollutants in the atmosphere.
  • Crystals, LASERs and the Human Body
    E6
    Crystals, LASERs and the Human BodyAn exploration of major advances in modern medicine, which depend on revolutionary new discoveries about crystals and the use of LASERs. LASER technology is being used in medicine to investigate, diagnose and cure. David Phillips shows us the different uses of LASERs on the human body.

 

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