High powered lasers can be used to direct lightning strikes
The technology could protect rocket launch pads and power plants.
Lightning rods have been used to safely guide strikes into the ground since the days of Benjamin Franklin, but their short range (about the same radius as the height) and fixed design make them ineffective for shielding large areas. Technology can finally be there to replace them in certain situations. European researchers have successfully tested a system that uses terawatt-level laser pulses to direct light to a 26-foot rod. It is not limited by its physical height and can cover much wider areas - in this case, 590 feet - while penetrating clouds and fog.
The design ionizes nitrogen and oxygen molecules, releasing electrons and creating a plasma that conducts electricity. Because the laser fires at a very fast rate of 1,000 pulses per second, it is considerably more likely to intercept lightning as it forms. During the test, conducted between June and September 2021, lightning followed the beam for nearly 197 feet before striking the rod.
Researchers have been exploring laser lightning guides for years. However, experiments have generally been limited to much shorter distances and relatively slow pulses that were more likely to miss the illumination as it formed. Dr. Aurélien Houard, who helped lead the project, told the Wall Street Journal that this laser produced 100 times more pulses per second than previous attempts.
It could be a long time before lasers are used beyond experiments. Matteo Clerici of the University of Glasgow, who did not work on the project, noted in The Journal that the laser for the experiment costs around $2.17 billion. The discoverers also plan to greatly extend the range, to the point that a 33-foot rod would have an effective coverage of 1,640 feet.
If scientists are successful, the breakthrough could make lightning protection viable over large areas. This would be particularly useful for protecting rocket launch pads, where lightning bolts can delay the mission if they are too close to the flight path. They could also be useful in protecting airports, power plants, forests and other sprawling places where a strike could prove catastrophic.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
The technology could protect rocket launch pads and power plants.
Lightning rods have been used to safely guide strikes into the ground since the days of Benjamin Franklin, but their short range (about the same radius as the height) and fixed design make them ineffective for shielding large areas. Technology can finally be there to replace them in certain situations. European researchers have successfully tested a system that uses terawatt-level laser pulses to direct light to a 26-foot rod. It is not limited by its physical height and can cover much wider areas - in this case, 590 feet - while penetrating clouds and fog.
The design ionizes nitrogen and oxygen molecules, releasing electrons and creating a plasma that conducts electricity. Because the laser fires at a very fast rate of 1,000 pulses per second, it is considerably more likely to intercept lightning as it forms. During the test, conducted between June and September 2021, lightning followed the beam for nearly 197 feet before striking the rod.
Researchers have been exploring laser lightning guides for years. However, experiments have generally been limited to much shorter distances and relatively slow pulses that were more likely to miss the illumination as it formed. Dr. Aurélien Houard, who helped lead the project, told the Wall Street Journal that this laser produced 100 times more pulses per second than previous attempts.
It could be a long time before lasers are used beyond experiments. Matteo Clerici of the University of Glasgow, who did not work on the project, noted in The Journal that the laser for the experiment costs around $2.17 billion. The discoverers also plan to greatly extend the range, to the point that a 33-foot rod would have an effective coverage of 1,640 feet.
If scientists are successful, the breakthrough could make lightning protection viable over large areas. This would be particularly useful for protecting rocket launch pads, where lightning bolts can delay the mission if they are too close to the flight path. They could also be useful in protecting airports, power plants, forests and other sprawling places where a strike could prove catastrophic.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
What's Your Reaction?
