In an area large as a football ground, the newly developed "Shenguang (magic rays) II" super laser, consists of over hundred optical apparatus, is able to send out gigantic energy equals to that of global electricity network in a spark of one billionth second, creating a physical phenomenon which is likely to be found only at the center of a nuclear explosion, the rim of black hole or inside a star.
Situated at theShanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the super laser, by sending out tremendous energy in a very short time, could give out extreme pressure and high temperature to trigger off fusion reaction.
By providing extreme physical conditions the laser is to be used in scientific experiments, and is of great significance to basic researches, hi-tech application and development of new technology for national defense.
"Shenguang" is of promising prospect, expert says, for in nuclear fusion lies the hope of clean energy in future years. By the middle of this century scientists, as expected, could use laser-produced fusion to turn rich deuterium and tritium in seawater into great and endless energy. Completion of "Shenguang II" marked a step forward made by China towards the getting of energy from seawater.
By the successful development of "Shenguang II", China has planted itself in world top rank on laser studies. For the moment, such huge and precise optical apparatus can only be made in a few countries as the US and Japan, and the general technological performance of "Shenguang II" has entered the rank of world top 5.
( April 9, 2002)
