Black Hole Plasma Conditions Created on Earth – Laser Briefly Uses 1,000 Times the Electric Consumption of the Entire Globe

[Curious layman]

Quote

Scientists at Osaka University use extremely intense laser pulses to create magnetized-plasma conditions comparable to those surrounding a black hole, study that may help explain the still mysterious X-rays that can be emitted from some celestial bodies.

https://scitechdaily.com/black-hole-plasma-conditions-created-on-earth-laser-briefly-uses-1000-times-the-electric-consumption-of-the-entire-globe/

[MigL]

I was gonna say maybe they should use that laser technique to initiate D-D or even H-H fusion.
But if it draws that much power, I doubt they would produce a net continuous excess.

[swansont]

It’s a sensationalist headline.

A petawatt pulse for 10 picoseconds is just 10 kJ.

“The laser was designed to meet the following specifications: an output of 10 kJ in a 1–10 ps pulse width”

https://www.ile.osaka-u.ac.jp/eng/facilities/lfex/index.html

[John Cuthber]

Laser pulse with "the energy from about 3 peanuts"* doesn't make quite the same impact.

To me ,the impressive thing isn't the energy, but switching it on and off so quickly.

* or something like that.

[swansont]

3 hours ago, John Cuthber said:

Laser pulse with "the energy from about 3 peanuts"* doesn't make quite the same impact.

To me ,the impressive thing isn't the energy, but switching it on and off so quickly.

* or something like that.

I agree. Much about the accomplishment is impressive, but they choose to hype something that's rather mundane.

[John Cuthber]

I'm now wondering what the least "hyped" version of putting that in context might be.

How about "very expensive laser pulse dissipates as much energy as I do while sitting on the sofa for a minute or two."?

Maybe "laser pulse equivalent to about half a teaspoonful of petrol"

[joigus]

Hype is rampant.