A team of researchers working at BAE systems recently proposed that direct energy laser systems can be used in creation of atmospheric lenses in next five decades. Lenses like these will be in position to enhance distantly located surveillance and can also form the base for deflector shields. BAE claims that a new concept known as Laser Development Atmosphere Lens (LDAL) lies at the core of this awesome prediction. The LDAL technology works by simulating natural phenomena, it also changes the planets’ atmosphere, temporarily and irreversibly, into structures iterating lens that can magnify or alter the electromagnetic waves path like the radio or light signals.
Although, the concept of LDAL is a complicated one and will need a very fine degree of lasing power and control, it definitely iterates the behavior of two most regular natural phenomena – warbling distortions and ionosphere’s reflective nature that resemble closely with desert mirages. BAE engineers claims that the LDAL technology can simulate both processes by pulsing a high powered laser system in out atmosphere which heats up this area of space in an organized manner temporarily. When a targeted atmospheric region heats up, Fresnel zone plates and atmospheric mirrors lenses can be virtually created in thin air. These nicely shaped atmospheric regions can be easily used for information transmission across longer distances or watch out the ground operation in a comprehensive manner from large distances.
For now, the team feels pretty excited regarding the possibility of rearranging and using out atmospheric nature, but some other company members also feel that if LDAL technology is too nimble it can be used in defense weapons. According to the CEO of LumOptica, Craig Stacey, “This is a tremendously exciting time in laser physics. Emerging technologies will allow us to enter new scientific territories and explore ever new applications. We are delighted to be working with BAE Systems on the application of such game-changing technologies, evaluating concepts which are approaching the limits of what is physically possible and what might be achieved in the future.”
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