CO2 laser inventor Patel wins National Medal of Science

17 Jun 2002

President Clinton has announced that APS Past-President C. Kumar N. Patel, vice president for research at the University of California-Los Angeles, will receive the National Medal of Science. The White House states that the award is given "for his invention of the carbon dioxide laser, a major scientific and technological breakthrough which continues to be an important tool in manufacturing, medical treatment, scientific investigations and materials processing. His carbon dioxide laser also led to the creation of new generations of lasers and laser systems."

Patel and other recipients of the award will be honored at a White House ceremony later this summer.