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67-Kilowatt Laser Unveiled
s31523 writes "Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California has announced they have working in the lab a Solid State Heat Capacity Laser that averages 67 kW. It is being developed for the military. The chief scientist Dr. Yamamoto is quoted: 'I know of no other solid state laser that has achieved 67 kW of average output power.' Although many lasers have peaked at higher capacities, getting the average sustained power to remain high is the tricky part. The article says that hitting the 100-kW level, at which point it would become interesting as a battlefield weapon, could be less than a year away."
Cue the frickin' lasers jokes in 3...2...1...
"No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson
But my laser goes all the way up to 11 ...
...will be the "Yamamoto Cannon".
(damn, why couldn't he have been Dr. Yamato)
Let me guess -- the Pentagon now has everything it needs to proceed with the Death Star?
I want five megawatts by mid-May.
You know, I think you should try it. I hear you can get a scientific award for experiments like that, though I hear it's named after someone who is controversial in US schools.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
That would be one hell of a light show.
Do I make a Real Genius joke, or a StarCraft joke?
geek. lawyer.
Soon, America will wield the power to project an annoying red dot into any room in North Korea or Iran, disturbing and agitating ANY and ALL cats, and, if the resident is so foolish as to investigate... his very eyes may be irritated, and possibly damaged, after prolonged exposure!
I spend most of my time in bed, darling.
Do not stare into laser with remaining co-worker.
For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
The RIAA is terrified that it will be used to burn DVDs at a range of 500 meters. Drive-by piracy is here: hide your children, lock your doors, hire your lawyers!
1) You could deliver your PowerPoint presentation in Paris from your office in San Francisco via videophone and STILL point out the interesting bits to the audience.
2) Later that night you could pick out a cinema in Paris and really piss off the audience by squiggling on the screen.
AT&ROFLMAO
When the head is vaporized by a 67 kW laser, it's a safe assumption that there will be some retinal damage. I think cataracts are the least of your worries.