Researchers Come Closer To Creating Star Wars’ Powerful “Superlaser”

Real life technology may finally be catching up with Star Wars.

Though fictional, the Deathstar's superlaser has always been frightening to think about- Gareth Edward's Rogue One showed fans the magnitude of the powerful superweapon as it obliterated cities and entire shores.

Now, according to a report by Phys Org, scientists are coming closer to creating the popular science-fiction laser with its powerful single output beam. Macquirie University researchers have just proven that humans may multiply the power of laser power through a diamond and inadvertently create the ‘superlaser' of Star Wars science fiction.

The high-powered laser beam is created by the use of ultra-pure diamond crsystal positioned at the very center of the beam convergence. The beam is then combined with other laserbeams through the diamond through the crytstal's cooperative effect which makes intense light beams transfer their power off into one, single, direction. The beam avoids the usual distortion issues of regular laser technology.

The reason behind the superlaser research?

"Researchers are developing high power lasers to combat threats to security from the increased proliferation of low-cost drones and missile technology. High power lasers are also needed in space applications including powering space vehicles and tackling the growing space junk problem that threatens satellites," co-author Associate Professor Rich Mildren explained.

"This discovery is technologically important as laser researchers are struggling with increasing power beyond a certain level due to the large challenges in handling the large heat build-up, and combining beams from multiple lasers is one of the most promising ways to substantially raise the power barrier," said lead experimentalist Dr Aaron McKay.

While the reasons behind the powerful single beam laser technology may seem pretty reasonable – space junk obliteration and the powering of space vehicles – the thought of a real-life Death Star is terribly frightening. Let's hope that if these researchers successfully create the powerful superlaser that it doesn't fall into the wrog hands.

Read: Watch: What Was Happening On Tatooine During Rogue One