Alfred Kastler

Physics

Alfred Kastler was awarded the Nobel prize in physics in 1966 "for the discovery and development of optical methods for studying Hertzian resonances in atoms.” Alfred Kastler conducted experiments in optical spectroscopy. Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction of matter with radiation such as electromagnetic waves. Kastler developed the technique of optical pumping, a method used to raise an electron in an atom or molecule to a higher energy level. This development later led to the development of the maser and laser.