Splash Biography

Did you know a tiny beam from a pen-size laser pointer can be as bright as the sunlight? Or that the most powerful laser today is even 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 times brighter? (Yes, that's 18 zeros!) Join this course to uncover the stories behind these fascinating facts. LASERs, or "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", are far more than just another form of artificial light. Their incredible brightness can slice through metal like melting butter, and their precise focus can target objects across vast distances. Yet, this magical power has never been discovered until the last 100 years (yes, the era of quantum mechanics), owing to the elusive nature of light itself. This course will introduce you to the basic of lasers: how they are created, what makes them so powerful, and how they have reshaped our life. Whether you're fascinated by the history, curious about the physics, or interested in the applications, this course will have something to offer.

Have you ever gazed up at the twinkling stars and wondered about their glow? Or have you questioned why your phone screen seems dim in daylight but so bright at night? Join our course and uncover the fascinating stories and science behind these "simple" but significant observations! We will kick off with an interactive discussion, encouraging you to engage with the question and share your unique insights. As you'll see, there's no limit to the answers! After that, we will journey back in time: Visit Greek scholars who charted stars with nothing but naked eyes; Trace the century-long pursuit of a standard measure of brightness; Tread the bizarre "quantum" world that completely reshaped the notion of "bright light"… Throughout, you'll see how scientific discoveries have not only redefined our view of light, but also profoundly transformed our daily lives. Whether you're new to this topic or a long-time science enthusiast, this journey promises to ignite your curiosity and refresh your perspective on the world!