"Scientists Reveal Breakthrough in Star Wars Laser Weapon Technology, But No Death Star in Sight"
Scientists have discovered a way to make lasers nine times more powerful, potentially paving the way for high-powered infrared laser weapons. Current laser-powered weapons are much weaker than those seen in movies like "Star Wars" and can only disable small airborne targets. The new research, funded by the U.S. Air Force, found a solution to limit light scattering from multimode optical fibers, allowing for the creation of lasers that are both high-powered and focused. While no prototypes have been developed yet, these lasers could be used to confuse enemy navigation systems or cause significant thermal damage to vehicles or machines. The technology could also have applications in remote sensing and gravitational wave detection.