In a quiet suburb south ParisInside a high -tech facility, backed by some of the best research institutions in Europe, he is currently sitting The world record for laser power. Known as ApolloThe regime sends extreme energy bursts to the extent that they re -create the conditions in Scandalous And the birth of the universe – and nothing is built so far, anywhere in the world, it has overcome it.
While Laser France continues to work in 10 PetawattsThe researchers in the United States occupied the headlines of this month with a new milestone, their own, their own. Scholars National SLAC speed laboratory in Menlo Park, CaliforniaHe announced that they had successfully produced a 1-Petawatt beam laser Using a way to accelerate new particles. Attention drew attention not only to its scientific capabilities, but for the increasing competition in Laser physics Among the world powers.
American hacking uses radical pressure technology
the Laser SlacAlthough the transit in intensity, it was the result of a trial method he calls its developers Technical “Flipper”. Using an accelerator, researchers pushed electrons to speeds close to light. Then these electrons were pressed in tight bouquets using radio frequency pulses and magnetic fields, before shooting through heterogeneous magnets. As the package passes, interacting with an external laser to amplify its energy.
The result was a flash of light described it Folk mechanics It is also equivalent, at that short moment, to the joint output of million Nuclear power plants. Although the pulse lasted a small part of a second, it showed the tremendous potential for the compressed particles of the generation of high -density laser energy.
SLAC’s goal is far from the academy. The team imagines future systems that produce electron symptoms with 1 megabere From the current, which can allow scientists to investigate energy behaviors under conditions that approach that near Black holes. But converting these visions into continuous practical tools will require a great innovation in safety and security storage systems.
The severity of Apollon is still unparalleled
In France, and Apolon laser systemIt is located in Palaceo Outside the capital, he continues to lead this field. Apollon works ten times the last SLAC beam output, and Apollon has become the standard for high -density light sources. His bursts are measured in FemtoseConds – Quadrillionths from a second – but the energy that focuses at that moment is among the highest rates ever.
It was developed with support Polytechnic Schoolthe National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)Special industry partners like ThousesApollon is part of a broader European network aimed at exploring borders High energy physics. Scientists have used it to study Gamma raysTo accelerate the particles under the conditions controlled by the laboratory, and to achieve the inner structure of Plasma.
What distinguishes Apollon is not only strength, but consistency. Unlike the American penetration, which is still in the experimental theater, the Laser of France was Full operation It was incorporated into continuous research projects. It is designed for routine use by the difference across Europe, with infrastructure to support high -precision repeated experiences.
Beyond physics: a strategic race for optical domination
The effects of strong laser systems are not limited to science. According to experts, they soon became symbols Technological ambition and Strategic ability. From simulating nuclear bombings without actual explosions to investigate How much is a vacuum -These volatile tools, rich in particles of the “empty” space-allow researchers to bypass the standard physics model.
In the current geopolitical scene, countries that can build such tools put themselves as leaders in a new era Scientific sovereignty. Europe’s investment in Apollon, coordinated via national and industrial lines, reflects a strategy not only to participate in this field, but to its leadership.
A growing field of international competitors
Apollon is not alone. the The infrastructure of the maximum light-nuclear physics (ELI-NP) Facility MăGurele, RomaniaIt is another major European initiative targeting similar goals. Meanwhile, China and South Korea have also made major investments in Petawatt laser laser.
However, France is ranked first. Since the Slac team is looking to build systems with the longest period and increase consistency, the global lights remain installed on Apollon – both, as well as today, and what it may inspire after that.
