The mirrors and other optics they use to construct the laser have to be pretty close to 100% efficient with transmitting and reflecting light. Why not use a similar technology on the skin of the missile? Also, a missile could potentially be protected further by spinning itself axially so that the incoming radiation is spread over the outer skin instead of focused on a single point.
A reflective surface should provide protection from lasers that emit in the visible spectrum. Perhaps a maser could be used to vaporize the reflective coating so the laser could do its job.
Slashdot Mirror
The mirrors and other optics they use to construct the laser have to be pretty close to 100% efficient with transmitting and reflecting light. Why not use a similar technology on the skin of the missile? Also, a missile could potentially be protected further by spinning itself axially so that the incoming radiation is spread over the outer skin instead of focused on a single point.
A reflective surface should provide protection from lasers that emit in the visible spectrum. Perhaps a maser could be used to vaporize the reflective coating so the laser could do its job.