All articles tagged with #laser
Physicists have proposed a new type of laser that operates without mirrors, using synchronized quantum emitters to produce a narrow, directional light beam, potentially revolutionizing ultra-compact light sources for nanophotonics and quantum sensing.
Scientists have developed a novel laser-based technique to 'draw' crystals precisely where needed in electronic devices using plasmonic heating of gold nanoparticles, potentially reducing costs and improving performance in applications like solar cells and sensors.
Brian Haidet's experiment captures laser beams at 2 billion frames per second, revealing how light appears to travel faster towards the camera due to an artifact related to special relativity, achieved through a highly upgraded setup.
France's Apollon facility has set a world record with a 10 petawatt laser, the most powerful on Earth, used to simulate early-universe conditions and advance scientific research, outpacing the US and other nations in power and reliability.
The University of Michigan's ZEUS laser has achieved a groundbreaking 2-petawatt power output, making it the most powerful laser in the US, enabling advanced experiments in high-field science, particle acceleration, and potential technological innovations, with future experiments aiming to simulate zettawatt-scale laser interactions.
The ZEUS laser at the University of Michigan has achieved its first 2-petawatt experiment, making it the most powerful laser in the U.S., with potential applications in medicine, security, and physics, and paving the way for future high-energy research including zettawatt-scale experiments.
Researchers have developed a compact, penny-sized laser that can significantly improve lidar technology for autonomous vehicles by providing faster, more accurate measurements, potentially leading to better navigation and smaller sensor packages.
A YouTuber has built what may be the world's strongest handheld laser, capable of melting metals like tungsten and titanium, with a power output of 250 watts, far exceeding legal limits and demonstrating impressive capabilities such as cutting through metals and setting materials on fire, though such devices are extremely dangerous and should not be used at home.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed ZEUS, the world's most powerful laser system, capable of generating 2 petawatts of power for a brief moment, opening new frontiers in scientific research across fields like medicine, astrophysics, and quantum physics, while fueling international competition in ultra-high-intensity laser technology.
France's Apollon laser system, operating at 10 petawatts, remains the world's most powerful laser, enabling advanced scientific research and symbolizing technological and strategic leadership in high-energy physics, amid growing global competition from the US, China, and Europe.
Chinese scientists have developed a laser system capable of reading millimeter-sized text from nearly a mile away, surpassing traditional telescopic methods, with potential applications in archaeology and environmental monitoring, though it requires a clear line of sight and may incorporate AI for improved accuracy.
Scientists have discovered that laser beams can cast their own shadows under certain conditions, challenging traditional notions of shadows. This phenomenon was observed when a green laser beam blocked blue light in a ruby crystal, creating a visible shadow. The discovery, which arose from a quirk in 3D modeling, highlights new possibilities in light-matter interactions and could have applications in optical technologies.
Researchers have discovered that under certain conditions, a laser beam can cast a shadow, challenging traditional understandings of light and shadow. By directing a high-power green laser through a ruby crystal and illuminating it with a blue laser, the green laser increased the optical absorption of the blue light, creating a visible shadow. This finding, published in Optica, opens new possibilities for technologies that use laser beams to control other light sources, such as optical switching and precise light transmission control.
A research center in Romania houses the world's most powerful laser, operated by French company Thales and based on chirped pulse amplification (CPA) technology developed by Nobel Prize winners Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland. The laser promises revolutionary advances in fields such as healthcare and space exploration, with potential applications including particle accelerators for cancer treatment and reducing nuclear waste radioactivity. The center's high-tech building, costing 320 million euros and mainly financed by the EU, represents the largest investment in scientific research in Romania, while other countries are also advancing their own projects to manufacture even more powerful lasers.
Scientists at the US National Ignition Facility have achieved a historic milestone in nuclear fusion, with their laser-powered fusion reaction producing more energy than it consumed. The experimental design and results have passed peer review, marking a significant breakthrough in the quest for clean, abundant energy. While the achievement is a major step forward, commercial-scale applications are still a long way off, and the challenges ahead are steep. Despite the promise of fusion as a clean energy source, it is not the immediate solution to the climate crisis, and the focus should remain on existing renewable energy technologies.