Neat News 2573 (added 2023-01-16)

Laser diversion for Lightning

lightning.jpg

For the first time scientists managed to detour lightning by a high frequency laser. It is assumed that the intense laser pulses heat up the air forming a canal that has a higher conductivity thereby diverting the bolt. In the long run the approach may be used to protect infrastructure such as an airport.

related: #lightning #detour

News seen at: Der Spiegel - Science (in German)