Thursday, April 9, 2009

Curved laser beams could help tame thunderclouds

An Airy Beam viewed in cross section. The asymmetric beam has an intense region on the right-hand side and several less intense spots on the left (Image: Science)

Ultra-short laser pulses can curve through the air, leaving plasma arcs in their wake – these could be used to guide lightning to the ground.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The only problem with the latter part of that statement is the fact lightning goes from the ground UP to the sky - I guess the author forgot their elementary physics classes.)

Tame thunderclouds

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