Curious layman Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 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/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MigL Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cuthber Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cuthber Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 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" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joigus Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 Hype is rampant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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