Proceedings Article | 10 March 2012
KEYWORDS: Dentistry, Medicine, Brain, Control systems, Lenses, Laser development, Laser cutting, Tolerancing, Telescopes, Traumatic brain injury
In the beginning of the age of enlightenment (or reason), the language of philosophy, science,
and theology stemmed equally from the same pens. Many of these early enlightenment authors
also applied their thoughts and experiences to practical inventions and entrepreneurship; in the
process, they noted and measured different characteristics of light and redirected the use of
lenses beyond that of the heat lens which had been developing for over 2000 years. Within
decades, microscopes, telescopes, theodolites, and many variations of the heat lens were well
known. These advances rapidly changed and expanded the nature of science, subsequent
technology, and many boundary notions; that is the way boundaries are defined not just in the
sense of what is land and commercial property, but also what notions of boundary help shape and
define society, including the unique role that professions play within society.
The advent of lasers in the mid twenty century, though, introduced the ability to measure the
effects and characteristic of single coherent wavelengths. This also introduced more ways to
evaluate the relationship of specific wavelengths of light to other variables and interactions. At
the most basic level, the almost revolutionary boundary developments of lasers seem to split
down two paths of work: 1) a pursuit of more sophisticated heat lenses having better controls
over light's destructive and cutting powers and, 2) more nuanced light-based instruments that not
only enhanced the powers of observation, but also offered more minute measurement
opportunities and subtle treatment capabilities. It is well worth deliberating, then, if
"enlightenment" and "light" might share more than five letters in a row. And (if a common
underlying foundation is revealed within these deliberations) , is it worth questioning any
possible revelations that might arise, or that might bear relevance on today's research and
developments in light based sciences, technology, clinical professions, and other bio
applications. And, finally, how might any such insight influence, then, the future of light based
research and its possible application?
