"He couldn't tell me about a lot of what he did, so much of it was classified."

From the drawing board to the laboratory, laser physicist Madhu Acharekar saw the light, harnessed it and used it in myriad ways. He developed tiny lasers that could track enemy missiles; vaporize plaque in a heart artery; and measure greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

For decades, Acharekar worked as one of the top scientists for Orlando high-tech entrepreneur Bill Schwartz, known as the father of Central Florida's laser industry. Acharekar landed a number of patents, government grants and professional honors in the 1980s and '90s, associates said.

Read more at the Orlando Sentinel.