LASER RESEARCH-AND-DEVELOPMENT IN THE SCIENTIFIC-RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN 1961-1980

This article presents information on the first 20 years of research an d development of lasers in the Scientific Research Institute 801 (SRI- 801), which was renamed Scientific-Industrial Center ''Orion.'' This s cientific establishment, which is now part of the State Scientific Cen ter of the Russian Federation (SSC RF), is called SSC RF SIA ''Orion'' . In addition to discussing the basic problems of science and engineer ing and the results of the solutions of these problems yield, in this article the author relates his personal recollections of the meetings with many high-ranking government officials and the role they played i n planning and developing laser R&D programs. (C) 1996 The Optical Soc iety of America.