ISLAMABAD: International manufacturers of Lasers and Optics have a yearly turnover of several tens of billions of dollars, but Pakistan is far behind in developing and adopting laser technology in specialized education indigenous production of lasers and their use.
Lasers have been put to extensive use in almost every field of human activity including defence, energy, communications and information processing, data storage, entertainment, manufacturing and material processing (cutting, shaping, drilling, welding, surface hardening).
Though some work has been initiated in strategic organizations on fabrication of some parts of lasers on a limited scale, reliable operation of laser systems remains a challenge, Chairperson Pakistan Council of Science and Technology (PCST) Dr. Mudasar Asrar told APP.
Laser is used in micromachining, catalyzing chemical processes, environmental monitoring and remote sensing, therapeutics medicine, surgery, cosmetic and medical technology, analytical and forensic science, biosciences, printing, barcode reading, and in other basic scientific as well as industrial research.
This list is expected to grow further in the future as new applications are discovered, she said, adding in fact, no other scientific discovery of the 20th century has demonstrated so many varied and exciting applications as laser has.
It is therefore, necessary to develop indigenous expertise irrespective of the cost considerations.
"This necessitates a major initiative for establishment of an independent Institute of Lasers and Photonics outside the strategic organizations".
Dr. Mudasar said the primary focus, in the beginning, could be on capacity building in terms of training and producing highly skilled manpower (scientists, engineers and technologists) together with development of facilities leading to design and fabrication of prototype laser systems, optical components, and some related instrumentation.
"Additionally, creating awareness about laser technology in the public and promotion of use of lasers in our local industry should be part of the mission of this Institute", she said. Dr. Mudasar said carrying out internationally competitive and relevant applied and basic research to stay up to date with new developments in this important field and its evolving applications and to transfer its benefits to the country should be the ultimate focus.
Ministry of Science and Technology is planning to publish research and technical reports, journal and conference papers, organizing workshops, conferences, training courses and public lectures to create awareness about laser and its applications.
Dr. Mudasar said plan is to set up an Institute for Lasers and Photonics as part of a National Programme on Lasers and Photonics to impart knowledge on educational and training Programmes and high quality and relevant basic and applied research regarding laser.
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