Who developed a concept that significantly advanced the creation of lasers?

The choice of Albert Einstein is significant in the context of laser development due to his foundational work in theoretical physics. In 1917, Einstein introduced the concept of stimulated emission, which is a critical principle behind how lasers operate. Stimulated emission occurs when an incoming photon causes an excited atom to drop to a lower energy state, releasing an identical photon in the process. This concept was revolutionary, providing the groundwork for the development of lasers that would emerge decades later.

In contrast, while other individuals mentioned made important contributions to the field of laser technology, their work came later and was built upon Einstein's initial theories. Gordon Gould is known for coining the term "laser" and describing certain technical aspects of laser design, while Theodore Maiman is credited with creating the first functioning laser. Isaac Newton, although a key figure in the history of science, did not contribute to the development of laser technology as it did not exist in his time.

Thus, Einstein’s theoretical contributions to the understanding of photons and energy transitions remain integral to the principles underpinning laser technology.