The Most Energetic Laser in the World

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The laser beam is traveling almost a mile around this facility as it bounces between mirrors and amplifiers. Even though we are generating a little star in the laboratory, all of the bulbs blew out. They charge up the laser. Countdown started at T minus 255 seconds. Insert the target. Three, two, one, shot. BAM, they fired the shot and they caused a blackout.

Back in January, we spoke to a scientist at the National Ignition Facility about how close they were to achieving what’s been called “one of the most impressive scientific feats of the 21st century.” This week, they announced they’ve finally done it.

A version of this episode originally ran on January 5, 2022.

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