All articles tagged with #laser technology
A Chinese satellite tested in geostationary orbit has set new records with a 1 Gbps downlink speed using a two-watt laser, posing a potential threat to Starlink's dominance in satellite internet technology, although it is still in the testing phase.
Scientists at ESA successfully used a laser to communicate with a spacecraft 165 million miles away, marking a significant step toward developing a Solar System Internet with faster data transmission capabilities for future space missions.
Scientists at SLAC have developed an unprecedented high-current electron beam using laser shaping techniques, marking a major breakthrough in accelerator physics with wide-ranging implications for astrophysics, quantum chemistry, and future particle accelerators.
Scientists in China have developed a device using laser interferometry that can read text from nearly a mile away, raising significant privacy and security concerns due to its potential for surveillance and misuse, with future enhancements likely involving AI to improve accuracy and applications.
Researchers simulated how ultra-high laser pulses can generate a fourth beam of light from vacuum, confirming a long-predicted quantum effect called four-wave mixing, which could soon be tested with advanced laser facilities worldwide.
China achieved a major milestone in space exploration by successfully firing a precision laser at a satellite orbiting the Moon during daylight, overcoming solar interference, which enhances lunar navigation and communication capabilities for future missions.
The University of Michigan has developed ZEUS, a 2 petawatt laser system that rivals traditional particle accelerators by enabling high-energy physics research in a compact setup, with potential applications in medicine, materials science, and space exploration.
French company Thales has launched GenF to develop laser-powered nuclear fusion technology aimed at creating an 'artificial sun' for clean, abundant energy, with plans to build a prototype by the mid-2030s, leveraging decades of laser expertise and strategic partnerships.
Thales has launched a project called GenF to develop an artificial sun using laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, aiming to create a sustainable and clean energy source within a decade, supported by French government funding and collaborations with research institutions.
MIT researchers have developed a new noninvasive metabolic imaging technique that significantly enhances the depth and speed of imaging in living tissues without the need for preprocessing like staining or cutting. This method uses a specialized laser and a fiber shaper to penetrate deeper into tissues, providing clearer and more detailed images. The technique is particularly useful for applications in cancer research, tissue engineering, and drug discovery, allowing scientists to study metabolic dynamics in living systems more effectively.
A team of physicists, including graduate student Chuankun Zhang, has made significant progress toward developing a nuclear clock, a highly precise timekeeping device. By firing a specialized laser at a radioactive crystal, they observed a promising signal, marking a potential breakthrough in the two-decade-long pursuit of this advanced technology.
A German satellite successfully transmitted a laser signal to a ground station mounted on a Jeep, marking a significant advancement in space-to-Earth communication. This breakthrough, led by researchers from the University of Western Australia, aims to alleviate data congestion and increase communication bandwidth by using optical communication instead of traditional radio waves. The test is a critical step towards establishing a next-generation space communications network.
A global research team led by Texas Engineers has developed a laser-based method to break down tough plastics into valuable components, offering a sustainable approach to plastic pollution. This technique uses low-power light to decompose plastics into luminescent carbon dots, which have potential applications in various industries. The discovery, published in Nature Communications, represents a significant step towards efficient plastic recycling and advancing green chemistry. Further research is needed to optimize and scale up the process for industrial use.
NASA is working on improving its Deep Space Network with laser signal capabilities to address the communication challenges faced by isolated Mars astronauts, with one team of scientists developing experimental technology for ultrafast communication between Earth and Mars.
The increasing amount of space debris poses a threat to future space missions, with potential for a Kessler syndrome scenario. Various strategies for clearing space debris include using small spacecraft to slow down larger debris, physical sweepers or metal dust clouds for smaller fragments, and ground- and space-based lasers for mid-sized debris. NASA views laser technology as the most cost-effective method, but international cooperation will be necessary to implement any removal strategies.