World's first two-megajoule ultraviolet laser fired in California

[stephen4785]

From what I'm reading, they're trying to use it to start fusion

I really hope they get it to work. Cheap abundant energy would make life a lot easier.

[majorownage]

From what I'm reading, they're trying to use it to start fusion

NIF uses lasers to compress D-T targets to initiate fusion. It's a pulsed-type fusion set up. Kinda crazy using light to compress matter! It will also help in our "stewardship" of nuclear materials. We will be able to run experiments using subcritical amounts of nuclear material. Usually, criticality experiments have to be carried out using nuclear bombs. We will be able to carry out MANY experiments that had to be shelved because of the nuclear test ban treaty. Now, it will be scaled down...and much less damaging to the environment.

My ex-roommate worked there last summer. He is a massive laser fanatic, so he really enjoyed it.

[01vnms4v]

I would mount it to my motorcycle helmet and fire it at the next bitch that cuts me off on the highway while she's texting on her phone.

I second that one x's 1000

[01vnms4v]

More info from fox news:
"That pulse of energy lasted for just 23 billionths of a second, yet it generated 411 trillion watts of power, NIF said -- 1,000 times more than the entire United States consumes at any given instant."

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/...st-in-history/

[SS Junk]

I don't get the reference

Ah, younglings...

[YALE]

NIF uses lasers to compress D-T targets to initiate fusion. It's a pulsed-type fusion set up. Kinda crazy using light to compress matter! It will also help in our "stewardship" of nuclear materials. We will be able to run experiments using subcritical amounts of nuclear material. Usually, criticality experiments have to be carried out using nuclear bombs. We will be able to carry out MANY experiments that had to be shelved because of the nuclear test ban treaty. Now, it will be scaled down...and much less damaging to the environment.

My ex-roommate worked there last summer. He is a massive laser fanatic, so he really enjoyed it.

That may be the coolest thing you've ever posted.

[talisman]

But did they use it to blow up a house with popcorn?

[jammeejamm]

the guidance system and turret for the plane is not ready yet, but do not fret. mitch is on it.

[Ratt]

Ah, younglings...

Fuck that, I'm 27 and have seen that movie several times.

[black50]

Yeah, I knew it wasn't Weird Science, I've seen it too many times. Real Genius? I'll have to check it out

great movie, you should check it out. one of the very few good val kilmer movies

[mstng86]

I too thought of Real Genius right away.







I want some popcorn now.

[Lason]

Freakin laser beams!

[ELVIS]

i wonder if thats strong enough to remove the hair from my back??

god bless.

[Ratt]

i wonder if thats strong enough to remove the hair from my back??

god bless.

You mean you're not bald all over?

[01vnms4v]

The ending of Real Genius was great. Popcorn for everyone.