On Jul 2, 11:19*am, K1TTT wrote:
should we even bring up its close cousin, the MASER?

According to something I read, the MASER, which was introduced while I
was still in high school, was the original idea behind the development
of the LASER. Thanks for your reference which says: "Basically, a man-
made MASER is a device that sets up a series of atoms or molecules and
excites them to generate the chain reaction, or amplification, of
photons."

What??? A MASER is an RF devices. When discussing RF, aren't photons
just a diversion away from "The Truth According to the Great RF
Gurus"? Someone should tell the MASER guys that they are just wasting
their time associating their RF devices with atoms and photons when
they really should be using fields and waves to explain the MASER
phenomena. Good luck on that one. :-)
--
73, Cecil, w5dxp.com