Gerard Mourou

Gérard Mourou is a French physicist renowned for his work in the field of photonics, particularly for developing techniques that generate ultra-short laser pulses. His groundbreaking method, known as "chirped pulse amplification," allows laser beams to be amplified and focused into powerful bursts lasting just femtoseconds (quadrillionths of a second). This innovation has transformed laser applications across various fields, including medicine, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Mourou's contributions have significantly advanced our ability to study and manipulate light, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018, alongside his colleague Donna Strickland, for their pioneering work in laser technology.