Nature.com reports that scientists have invented a new method to prevent damage from lightning strikes. A technique has been made on this, through which by sending the laser into the sky, the falling lightning can be prevented from falling. This experiment has been carried out by scientists from the University of Crete in Greece.
The report says that Stelios Tzortzakis, a laser physicist at the university, says that “the achievement is impressive, considering that the scientific community has been working hard to achieve this goal for more than 20 years.” However, Stelios did not participate in this experiment.
As we mentioned, metal rods are commonly used to deflect lightning and safely dissipate its charge. But the length of these rods is limited, so they cannot stop the impact over a large area. However, scientists thought of the laser because it could be launched a long distance into the sky, and at the same time its direction could be changed continuously and rapidly.
Until now, this maneuver was being tested in the laboratory, but this time a team of about 25 researchers reportedly set up the Laser Lightning Rod Project, which has spent €2 million (about Rs 17.61 crore) specially made in the Swiss Alps.) High power laser was tested. The scientists placed the laser next to the Santis telecommunications tower, which is often struck by lightning.
According to the report, an intense laser fired into the sky rapidly heats the air, reducing its density and creating a favorable path for the rays. Project leader Aurelien Howard says “it’s like drilling a hole in the air with a laser.”
Instead of trying to divert energy from the tower, it can be used to deflect the blow. In future uses, Howard says, a similar laser beam could be used to conduct electricity away from structures sensitive to a lightning rod.