Route des lasers, The place to be

50th anniversary of the laser in Aquitaine

10th May, 2010, What's up in Bordeaux ?.

From 13th to 20th March, 2010

2010 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first functional laser. In this context ALPhA Route des Lasers resolutely turns toward the general public and the secondary schools of Aquitaine to increase understanding of laser principles and applications, to raise awareness and to attract young people to the science of photonics. Laser Week in Aquitaine highlighted a range of events from March 13-20, 2010.

A roving exhibition on lasers was created in partnership with the University of Limoges, the University of Bordeaux and the national education administration. The exhibition, carried aboard the Scientibus (www.scientibus.fr) involved some twenty experiments, ranging from a completely disassembled laser to stereo-lithography applied to cranial prosthetics, and including a laser fountain, measurement of the speed of light, laser welding and the principles behind the CD. After a presentation in Limoges on March 13, the Scientibus headed for the highways of Aquitaine, stopping in Sarlat, Agen, Anglet, Mont-de-Marsan and Bordeaux. Over 200 students from middle school through high school visited the bus, expressing their interest, through discussions with the presenters, who were all students at the University of Bordeaux 1. Each evening, the bus opened to the general public preceding two conferences: ?The Laser at Fifty? and ?CEA's Main Laser Instruments.? This successful tour wound up on Saturday, March 20 at Place de la Victoire in Bordeaux, where the bus welcomed 150 visitors, who each spent about an hour exploring the exhibits.
The CEA CESTA, intensely involved in this event, exceptionally organized the reception of 275 students from preparatory classes to the LMJ site on Saturday March 20. Organizations such as Oxymetal, Eolite, Lyracom, CELIA, CPMOH, the BIC platform and ALPhANOV also opened their doors to the general public, and welcomed 80 visitors.

In all, over 1000 people gained insight on laser applications. Given the success of this tour, the Scientibus and its laser experiments will travel to Ecole Polytechnique at the Palaiseau campus on June 23, 2010 for an encounter of Nobel prize winners, and selected secondary and university students from all over France. These roving demonstrations are the precursors to a major laser exhibition planned at the Aquitaine Regional Council Headquarters from November 14 to December 2, 2010, culminating with a giant laser fountain. A national symposium will be held to conclude the 50th anniversary of the laser on December 2 in Bordeaux.

Contact: Gabrielle MARRE

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