A team of British and Czech scientists has successfully tested a “super laser” that is claimed to be 10 times more powerful than any other laser of its kind existing on the planet. The “high peak power laser” has a 1,000-watt average power output, which is considered to be a benchmark of sustained and high-energy pulses.
The device has been developed in a joint effort by Britain’s Central Laser Facility (CLF) and a Czech state research and development project named HiLASE (High average power pulsed laser). The newly introduced laser termed as “Bivoj” has derived its name from a mythical Czech strongman. It weighs around 20 tonnes and costs 44 Million Euros which translates to 48 Million USD.
However, the researchers have admitted that the laser’s peak output quite less as compared to that of the others. For instance, the pulse produced by Osaka’s Laser for Fast Ignition Experiment measured around 2 petawatts i.e. 2 quadrillion watts. It was introduced by the Osaka University in July, 2015 and was claimed to be the most powerful laser in the world back then. Its pulse lasted for merely one picosecond i.e. one-trillionth of a second.
Bivoj has a lot of potential to be used in engineering for purposes like hardening metal surfaces, processing semiconductors, and micro-machining material. Apart from this, it is also going to be utilised in aeronautics, automotive and power sectors. The creators are also hoping to explore its potential during tests that are scheduled to take place later this month.
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