US Develops Weapons-Grade Laser

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

In the NIF lab.

it has been sometime since i have commented on any technological breakthroughs, but this one deserves my eagle-eye attention because not only does the laser have the "power to burn as hot as a star" but also that it has immense implications on and "could deliver breakthroughs in safe fusion power".

=================

US lab debuts super laser

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090530/ts_alt_afp/usitresearchmilitarylaser_20090530082418;_ylt=AiEp xx2r4GSyGAIYSxM5aAeCfNdF

Excerpt:

by Glenn Chapman Glenn Chapman – Sat May 30, 4:23 am ET
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – A US weapons lab on Friday pulled back the curtain on a super laser with the power to burn as hot as a star.

The National Ignition Facility's main purpose is to serve as a tool for gauging the reliability and safety of the US nuclear weapons arsenal but scientists say it could deliver breakthroughs in safe fusion power.

"We have invented the world's largest laser system," actor-turned-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said during a dedication ceremony attended by thousands including state and national officials.

"We can create the stars right here on earth. And I can see already my friends in Hollywood being very upset that their stuff that they show on the big screen is obsolete. We have the real stuff right here."

NIF is touted as the world's highest-energy laser system. It is located inside the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory about an hour's drive from San Francisco.

Equipment connected to a house-sized sphere can focus 192 laser beams on a small point, generating temperatures and pressures that exist at cores of stars or giant planets.

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

i guess the only problem with this is, as with the others before it, is how the power supply for such a system can be miniaturized so it can be mounted on, say, fighter aircraft, tanks, artillery, etc...

as an energy source, it can work. as a space-based laser or airborne laser as part of a national missile defense system, it can work. but as a portable weapons system, that is yet to be seen.

[roger teekell]

i guess the only problem with this is, as with the others before it, is how the power supply for such a system can be miniaturized so it can be mounted on, say, fighter aircraft, tanks, artillery, etc...

as an energy source, it can work. as a space-based laser or airborne laser as part of a national missile defense system, it can work. but as a portable weapons system, that is yet to be seen.

Remember how big the FIRST computer was???

Now people carry them around with them in brief cases...;)

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

Remember how big the FIRST computer was???

Now people carry them around with them in brief cases...;)

Definitely.

I think the power supply is following the path of the microchip: smaller but powerful... once the problem of the power supply is solved, i think this thing can work wonders and has the potential to exceed output vs. input because of the sheer power involved with this laser.

[gwhughes]

Until they're small enough to mount on sharks' heads I don't see there being a market for them.

[roger teekell]

Definitely.

I think the power supply is following the path of the microchip: smaller but powerful... once the problem of the power supply is solved, i think this thing can work wonders and has the potential to exceed output vs. input because of the sheer power involved with this laser.

This could also lead to an alternative power supply for Automobiles and aircraft...

Very exciting indeed..

[gwhughes]

Think California can use it....I mean tax it in an effort to pull them from the brink of bankruptcy? From the power supply aspect of its applications.

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

This could also lead to an alternative power supply for Automobiles and aircraft...

Very exciting indeed..

i wish the size of the power supply can be overcome though. although yes, very promising.

but i sure am glad the US is able to develop this.

one would think that with the funding the europeons have placed on their super collider (i forgot what they called that super collider in europe which was unveiled a few years back--was it lucerne or something???), that they would be able to develop this massive amount of energy to produce this kind of laser.

i think we are still kicking, scientifically and technologically-speaking after some time.

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

Think California can use it....I mean tax it in an effort to pull them from the brink of bankruptcy? From the power supply aspect of its applications.

if some brilliant mind from california can develop a small and portable power supply for this kind of laser, California's and probably the US's, not just energy problems, but financial problems as well.

it can open up the 2nd industrial revolution, led again by the US. but just wishful thinking for now. the first hurdle (a powerful laser with the energy of the sun) has already been overcome. the only thing now is how to make the power supply small and portable and safe.

[Gray]

This will never be a weapons system I do not see us mounting 192 lasers on anything.

This is about energy.


i guess the only problem with this is, as with the others before it, is how the power supply for such a system can be miniaturized so it can be mounted on, say, fighter aircraft, tanks, artillery, etc...

as an energy source, it can work. as a space-based laser or airborne laser as part of a national missile defense system, it can work. but as a portable weapons system, that is yet to be seen.


https://lasers.llnl.gov/

The world's largest and highest-energy laser was certified to operate by the U.S. Department of Energy on March 27, 2009. In 2010, NIF will focus the intense energy of 192 giant laser beams on a BB-sized target filled with hydrogen fuel — fusing, or igniting, the hydrogen atoms' nuclei in the world's first controlled thermonuclear reaction. This is the same fusion energy process that makes stars shine and provides the life-giving energy of the sun.

[gwhughes]

...and harness that power. Which I would think would be similar to nuclear. Very cool RUSA

[Claymore]

First, you lead the enemy into the heart of the laser sphere with a trail of tasty cheesey Goldfishes, then you turn on the juice,,, ZAP!

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

but if there was a way to condense the power of these 192 high-powered lasers and make them compact, and find a way to miniaturize the power supply, problem solved. the only question is how?

if we solved this, we would solve the weaponization problem and our energy problems and by extension our financial and economic problems (granted that the government has wisened up and tightened the belts and curbed spending and adopted common-sense economic and fiscal policies).

also, what if during this time, a superconductor can be developed too??? if a superconductor can be developed, then we are talking about the 2nd industrial revolution and probably the real golden age for the US will then begin (again, provided that this time the US adopts common sense and sound economic, fiscal and foreign policies). hmmmm...

:think:

[roger teekell]

This will never be a weapons system I do not see us mounting 192 lasers on anything.

This is about energy.

Never??

Well now...That's a very long time...

I can see it happening in the next 5-10 years..

[notluzn]

Galactica here we come.

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

I predict Disco becoming very popular with America's enemies as troops around the globe are outfitted with Disco Ball fatigues.

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

this is what is really mind-boggling and exciting about this development:


Equipment connected to a house-sized sphere can focus 192 laser beams on a small point, generating temperatures and pressures that exist at cores of stars or giant planets.

NIF will be able to create conditions and conduct experiments never before possible on Earth, according to the laboratory.

A fusion reaction triggered by the super laser hitting hydrogen atoms will produce more energy than was required to prompt "ignition," according to NIF director Edward Moses.


has the US just developed nuclear fusion-generated power??? :think:

and, what if, somewhere out there, some lab in the US is now also on the verge of developing a superconductor???

if these things have been finally developed, then everything just becomes possible, commercial applications could then probably come if the demand for them increases as the cost decrease. it would be very good, especially in the area of space exploration.

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

I predict Disco becoming very popular with America's enemies as troops around the globe are outfitted with Disco Ball fatigues.

um, US troops are eventually going to be outfitted with these. i know for one that if i were in charge, i would do everything i can at the present time for all US troops to be outfitted with these along with the technology that comes with it. i know for one that under my command, all US military personnel would live the life of luxury and will be given out-of-these world missions fit for the 21st century and beyond... (literally). under my command, i will send each and every US soldier to the stars and fulfill their missions. just too bad i'm not in charge :(:

http://blog.800hightech.com/wp-content/uploads/super-human-suit-exoskeleton.jpg

[gdoane]

i wish the size of the power supply can be overcome though. although yes, very promising.

but i sure am glad the US is able to develop this.

one would think that with the funding the europeons have placed on their super collider (i forgot what they called that super collider in europe which was unveiled a few years back--was it lucerne or something???), that they would be able to develop this massive amount of energy to produce this kind of laser.

i think we are still kicking, scientifically and technologically-speaking after some time.

I think that collider in Europe was called the Large Hadron Collider. CERN was the agency responsible for making it.

[penner01]

This could also lead to an alternative power supply for Automobiles and aircraft...

Very exciting indeed..Except if you're just trying to find a way to drive your Pinto without a gas tank......192 lazers seems like overkill.

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

I think that collider in Europe was called the Large Hadron Collider. CERN was the agency responsible for making it.

that was it Gdoane. CERN. i was trying to remember and glucerna would come to mind :sick:

thanks very much friend.

[Claymore]

Cheeze-Its?

[gdoane]

Except if you're just trying to find a way to drive your Pinto without a gas tank......192 lazers seems like overkill.

Yeah, but just think of what you could do to a tailgater!

[Talk2Bill]

do they make a ZAAAP or a BAAAZAAP sound when fired?

[Claymore]

Crispy Cheetos?

[Claymore]

Nacho Doritos?

[Claymore]

Crispy Cremes?

[gdoane]

Crispy Cremes?

I see the layoffs haven't affected the comedians any.

[Claymore]

Ya gotta use the right bait to trap the right rat. ;)

[Cav Scout]

Are we going to mount said lasers on Sea Bass?

[Claymore]

Mont Seebass? How tall is that one?

[gdoane]

Are we going to mount said lasers on Sea Bass?

Water and lasers aren't a good mix. I have an 8mW He-Ne class III laser that I occasionally play around with. This thing isn't like one of those pencil pointers you see. It's about the size of two empty paper towel rolls end to end and has a high voltage power supply. I've hit all kinds of stuff with it just to see what it would do and water bends it, and reflects it.

I think it's called reflection and refraction.

So, if you fire a weapons class laser at water, then you're going to get a weapons class laser ricochet. That would be a BAD THING.

One night I had the not-so-bright (actually it WAS bright but in a literal sense) idea of aiming this laser at a stop sign down my block from my driveway at a stop sign about 1000 feet away. Now, stop signs are naturally reflective, but diffuse. They're not like mirrors, they scatter light so I wanted to see what this sucker would do. I figured it would make a REALLY bright red dot. WRONG. The WHOLE SIGN lit up like a beacon. It glowed brightly and looked like a science fiction movie effect. I was going to take a picture of it but I figured if anybody saw it, somebody would be calling the cops. So I took it down fast and decided not to document my mad science crime. Sure was funny looking though.

The problem with lasers as weaponry is basic. Light likes to reflect. Most everything this side of The Invisible Man reflects light so whenever a laser is fired, some is coming back home to roost.

[waynevan]

First, you lead the enemy into the heart of the laser sphere with a trail of tasty cheesey Goldfishes, then you turn on the juice,,, ZAP!

Works every time!!

[CaptainPike]

Is this different than the airborne laser that we already have?

Also, can we use it to draw Obama's portrait on the moon, so that we can remember him forever and ever?

[neoINDIE]

You bastards stole my "Laser"?

http://www.fishing4fun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/medium_dr_evil_1.jpg

[Cav Scout]

Water and lasers aren't a good mix. I have an 8mW He-Ne class III laser that I occasionally play around with. This thing isn't like one of those pencil pointers you see. It's about the size of two empty paper towel rolls end to end and has a high voltage power supply. I've hit all kinds of stuff with it just to see what it would do and water bends it, and reflects it.

I think it's called reflection and refraction.

So, if you fire a weapons class laser at water, then you're going to get a weapons class laser ricochet. That would be a BAD THING.

One night I had the not-so-bright (actually it WAS bright but in a literal sense) idea of aiming this laser at a stop sign down my block from my driveway at a stop sign about 1000 feet away. Now, stop signs are naturally reflective, but diffuse. They're not like mirrors, they scatter light so I wanted to see what this sucker would do. I figured it would make a REALLY bright red dot. WRONG. The WHOLE SIGN lit up like a beacon. It glowed brightly and looked like a science fiction movie effect. I was going to take a picture of it but I figured if anybody saw it, somebody would be calling the cops. So I took it down fast and decided not to document my mad science crime. Sure was funny looking though.

The problem with lasers as weaponry is basic. Light likes to reflect. Most everything this side of The Invisible Man reflects light so whenever a laser is fired, some is coming back home to roost.

:)):))