Precision laser spectroscopy in fundamental studies

The role of precision spectroscopic measurements in the development of fundamental theories is discussed, with particular emphasis on the hydrogen atom, the simplest stable atomic system amenable to the accurate calculation of energy levels from quantum electrodynamics. Research areas that greatly benefited from the participation of the Lebedev Physical Institute are reviewed, including the violation of fundamental symmetries, the stability of the fine-structure constant $\alpha$, and sensitive tests of quantum electrodynamics.