Advancements in Laser Technology: Bridging Historical Milestones and Modern Applications in Science, Industry, and Sustainability

Laser technology has become a transformative technology in science, industry, and environmental sustainability. The first ruby laser was produced in 1960, and as far as Einstein’s principle of stimulated emission is concerned, lasers have proliferated into indispensable devices in medicine, manufacturing, and applications to the environment. It emphasizes important innovations and applications in the healthcare sector, i.e. minimally invasive surgeries, diagnostic imaging (e.g. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)), and laser-assisted drug delivery systems. In manufacturing, they make possible precision machining, 3D printing, and AI-powered adaptive processes. The green photonics and associated laser systems are integrated to solve the challenges of scalability and energy efficiency; all while meeting sustainability goals, so they can take place in environmental applications, such as atmospheric monitoring, greenhouse gas detection, and renewable energy systems such as the optimization of solar cells and hydrogen production. Quantum laser, plasmonics, and AI-assisted operations have brought cutting-edge revolutionary development to the lasers world, expanding their capability to higher precision within the nanoscale and higher levels of automation. This review summarises these advances while discussing how to overcome current technical and economic barriers to straddle the line between perceptions as critical solutions for global scientific, industrial, and sustainability challenges with lasers.