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phys.org

Focusing ultra-intense lasers to a single wavelength

Ultra-intense ultrashort lasers are powerful tools used in various fields like physics, national security, industry, and health care. They help researchers delve into strong-field laser physics, laser-driven radiation sources, particle acceleration, and more.
phys.org phys.org
phys.org

Old crystal, new story for enhancing deep ultraviolet laser performance

In the realm of science and technology, harnessing coherent light sources in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) region holds immense significance across various applications such as lithography, defect inspection, metrology, and spectroscopy. Traditionally, high-power 193-nanometer (nm) lasers have been...
phys.org phys.org

Mini lasers
phys.org

Micro-Lisa: Making a mark with novel nano-scale laser writing

High-power lasers are often used to modify polymer surfaces to make high-tech biomedical products, electronics and data storage components.
phys.org
phys.org

Researchers identify new method to boost laser processing resolution

Focusing a tailored laser beam through transparent glass can create a tiny spot inside the material. Researchers at Tohoku University have reported on a way to use this small spot to improve laser material processing, boosting processing resolution.
phys.org phys.org

phys.org

Light stands still in a deformed crystal

AMOLF researchers, in collaboration with Delft University of Technology, have succeeded in bringing light waves to a halt by deforming the two-dimensional photonic crystal that contains them. The researchers show that even a subtle deformation can have a substantial effect on photons in the...
phys.org phys.org
 
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Defence Secretary saying Dragonfire entry into service has been accelerated from 2032 to 2027 but they would look to see whether they could rush it into service in Ukraine. The new technology development approach is to not wait until kit is 99.9% effective but to get it into the field when its about 70% done and continue to improve it in service.

news.sky.com

British military laser could be used to target Russian drones in Ukraine

The DragonFire weapon will work by using an intense beam of light to cut through its target. It is now expected to be ready for deployment by 2027 at the latest.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
It appears US Army has its doubts on lasers and wants realistic testing to prove they will actually work operationally in practice not just in the lab.

Army guts $4.8 billion from IFPC-HEL in new five-year plan, focuses on 'try' before 'buy' | InsideDefense.com

The Army has cut $4.8 billion from planned future spending on the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser in the service's new five-year spending plan, a dramatic reduction that removes future funding stability for a cruise-missile-killer-and-more project that a key service...
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
 
That was the Lockheed Martin program to scale a 100kw laser to 300kw wasnt it? Though that program was only $700m to procure four 300kw lasers and $4bn on microwave weapons, if they have axed $4bn from the budget it must be the microwave part of it being axed.
 
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WatcherZero said:
That was the Lockheed Martin program to scale a 100kw laser to 300kw wasnt it? Though that program was only $700m to procure four 300kw lasers and $4bn on microwave weapons, if they have axed $4bn from the budget it must be the microwave part of it being axed.
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I find that hard to believe as insidedefense.com write up explicity refers to "High Energy Lasers" and by far the majority of funding has always been devoted to lasers and not microwaves. Does anyone have ref to the figures quoted by insidedefense.com?

PS If remember correctly did not General Atomics and Boeing as well as Dynamics and Lockheed win contracts for higher powered lasers plus funding to develop an ultrashort pulse laser (USPL) system.
 
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Cordy said:
I find that hard to believe as insidedefense.com write up explicity refers to "High Energy Lasers" and by far the majority of funding has always been devoted to lasers and not microwaves. Does anyone have ref to the figures quoted by insidedefense.com?

PS If remember correctly did not General Dynamics and Boeing as well as Dynamics and Lockheed win contracts for higher powered lasers plus funding to develop an ultrashort pulse laser (USPL) system.
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I assume it will be a series of pulses, because 1TW for 200fs is only 0.2J.

www.thedefensepost.com

US Army Set to Make Quantum Leap With Ultra-Short Pulse Laser Tech

The US Army has begun soliciting developers to build a laser weapon system that emits an ultra-short burst of highly intense energy to destroy targets.
www.thedefensepost.com www.thedefensepost.com
 
My simplistic view is if you have a 300kW electric motor and the laser is 40% efficient ??? in converting the electric power into laser beam power that means you have to dissipate the remaining 180kW as heat, not simple, so perhaps why below regarded as so important.

DOD makes new bet on missile defense laser cooling technology | InsideDefense.com

The Defense Department is placing a bet on new laser-cooling technology for missile defense capabilities that carries such promise that the Pentagon will not disclose the company associated with the $11 million contract award.
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
 
Cordy said:
My simplistic view is if you have a 300kW electric motor and the laser is 40% efficient ??? in converting the electric power into laser beam power that means you have to dissipate the remaining 180kW as heat, not simple, so perhaps why below regarded as so important.

DOD makes new bet on missile defense laser cooling technology | InsideDefense.com

The Defense Department is placing a bet on new laser-cooling technology for missile defense capabilities that carries such promise that the Pentagon will not disclose the company associated with the $11 million contract award.
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
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Interesting:

“One of the companies that is receiving [AFPIT funding] is a small company that is building a phase modulator that will decrease the amount of cooling required for fiber lasers by 50%,” Shyu said on April 17. “Think about that.”
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Laser Cannon, Energy Field Shield? Wow,So science fiction, I have a question.------

Can this laser Cannon of USA puncture the energy field shield of a space ship?
 
RN is very happy with Dragonfire/concerned by Houthis, and accelerating plans for deplyment.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

DragonFire laser accelerated to equip British warships

The UK DragonFire laser programme – led by MBDA, with partners Leonardo UK and QinetiQ – is accelerating following a decision from the Ministry of Defence to install the weapon system on Royal Navy ships.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk ukdefencejournal.org.uk

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

Multiple British warships to get laser guns

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed its commitment to outfitting multiple Royal Navy ships with the DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) by 2027.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk ukdefencejournal.org.uk
 
...This damned timeline. Back when I was growing up you read science fiction stories that had laser cannons in them, and hackers that carried cyberdecks that connected to computers all over the world, and read comics that had rockets launching AND landing on their tails.

And now everyone carries a cyberdeck in their back pocket, rockets launch AND land on their tails, and the military is getting laser cannons.

The future is here.
 
MihoshiK said:
...This damned timeline. Back when I was growing up you read science fiction stories that had laser cannons in them, and hackers that carried cyberdecks that connected to computers all over the world, and read comics that had rockets launching AND landing on their tails.

And now everyone carries a cyberdeck in their back pocket, rockets launch AND land on their tails, and the military is getting laser cannons.

The future is here.
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Just need nuclear fusion power and it’s the quadfecta
 

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