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Though it ’s not expectant enough or strong enough to destroy a satellite , scientists have uprise an amplified laser reminiscent of the Death Star from " Star Wars , " fit in to a new work .
The futuristic superweapon compound multiple optical maser electron beam into one destructive clap , the researchers say . Theidea of merging optical maser irradiation is not raw , nor has it been confine to science fiction before now . A decades - older Russian projectile defence project appear to practice liquidity as a beam combiner , but that project was abandon after it was deemed not hardheaded . A similar project in the U.S. investigated laser fusion , but using different stuff . Now , a team of Australian scientists has combined the principles of these two inquiry labor and applied them to a new material : diamond .
The “super” laser brings together the power of multiple laser beams directed into a single intense output using an ultra-pure diamond crystal at the point of convergence.
An ultrapure baseball field vitreous silica is the key toa new proof - of - concept amplify optical maser . By placing a diamond at the point of converging of the dissimilar laser beams , the power of each individual balance beam is transplant into one potent optical maser beam , the researchers said . This power transfer come about due to Raman scattering — when corpuscle are pass around and unrestrained to high vigour levels — which is peculiarly strong in diamond , according to the scientists . [ Science Fact or Fiction ? The Plausibility of 10 Sci - Fi Concepts ]
Diamonds also have gamey thermal properties that allow them to draw rein thelaser beam ' energieswithout overheat — a headache with other materials that could be used to combine the laser beams .
" The central job is that the laser materials struggle to fritter the very enceinte waste heat incumbrance , " study carbon monoxide - writer Rich Mildren , an associate professor of physics at Macquarie University in Sydney , Australia , told Live Science . " There are engineering science on the verge of having enough power , but heat make - up causes the shaft to flare and power to spend chair to a lack of power on target . "
Researching magnify - optical maser construct has become progressively important as unexampled security threat have develop , Mildren say . From crushed - price drones tomissile technology , militaries around the human beings are wait to high - major power lasers as a possible defense solution .
Initial trial run of the diamond optical maser have shown winner in poor bursts , and the researchers tell they are continuing to essay the optical maser for tenacious period and at high powers . When to the full operational , the amplified laser coulddisable drones , missiles and other minuscule objects , harmonise to Mildren .
" Such high - power lasers are also potentially utilitarian in management of space rubble , propulsion of small space vehicles and radiate power to remote locations , " Mildren said .
The substantiation - of - construct laser was described in a study published on-line March 30 in thejournal Laser and Photonics Reviews .
Original clause onLive Science .
