Curved Laser Beams Could Help Tame Lightning 184
Urchin writes "Laser beams just gained a new property — they can curve through space. That's what happens when ultrashort laser pulses pass through a phase pattern mask and a lens, which together shift the most intense region of the beam from the center to the right-hand side. The asymmetry in the pulse causes it to drift progressively further to the right along an arc as it travels. The laser beam is so intense that it ionizes the air it passes through to create a curved plasma channel. Those kinds of channels can be up to 100 meters long — direct them at thunderclouds and they could first trigger lightning to spark and then act as a convenient but short-lived lightning rod to guide it safely to the ground, according to some researchers."
And they taunted Raiden II (Score:4, Funny)
"Yeah, curving lasers, very viable".
"Lasers shoot straight, stupid!"
"So this beam is some kind of plasma or what? Laser? Are you kidding?"
Now they will all see! My sharks will be able to shoot lasers from behind a corner!
Just gained a new property (Score:5, Funny)
just gained a new property
wait, what? I don't think that's how science works...
Obligatory (Score:4, Funny)
Igor, fire the lasers!
Re:Curved sharks? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:And they taunted Raiden II (Score:1, Funny)
Dr. Melik: This morning for breakfast he requested something called "wheat germ, organic honey and tiger's milk."
Dr. Aragon: [chuckling] Oh, yes. Those are the charmed substances that some years ago were thought to contain life-preserving properties.
Dr. Melik: You mean there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies or... hot fudge?
Dr. Aragon: Those were thought to be unhealthy... precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.
Dr. Melik: Incredible.
From Sleeper [wikipedia.org]
Titor already did it.. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Transformers the Movie (Score:4, Funny)
No more "Don't taze me, bro!" ? (Score:5, Funny)
Direct them at tasers and they could first trigger lightning to spark and then act as a convenient but short-lived lightning rod to guide it safely to the ground, according to some researchers."
If a laser could intercept the dart before it hits you ... I can just see it now - instead of tin-foil hats, geeks will be wearing their anti-taser laser phasers.
More urgent question (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Transformers the Movie (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Pffft (Score:3, Funny)
Personally, I won't be impressed unless I see light bend through space-time. THAT would be a feat!
Meh. I already saw that next year.