1,000,000x power lasers could be used to study the nature of the universe

In November 2023, we reported that scientists from the UK and South Korea had developed a new technique to amplify laser power by theoretically using plasma a million times. By exploiting plasma’s density gradient, they found that combining photons significantly increased laser intensity.

The team discovered that this method could increase laser power to exawatt and zettawatt levels through computer simulations, far surpassing current capabilities. If achievable, this has potential applications in fundamental physics, astrophysics, and laser fusion research, providing new tools to explore the nature of matter and the universe.

The team, comprising researchers from the University of Strathclyde , Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology (UNIST), and Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology (GIST), developed this new technique using computer simulations.

Their innovative method involves compressing light to drastically increase its intensity, allowing it to extract particles from a vacuum. This is achieved by exploiting the gradient in the plasma density—a fully ionized matter.

The process causes photons to bunch together like cars when climbing a steep hill.

Playing with plasma

Plasma , often called the fourth state of matter, is an ionized gas of free electrons and ions. It can conduct electricity and generate magnetic fields, unlike solids, liquids, or gases.

“Plasma can perform a role similar to traditional diffraction gratings in CPA systems but is a material that cannot be damaged. It will, therefore, enhance traditional CPA technology by including [a straightforward] add-on.” Professor Min Sip Hur of UNIST explained in a press release. “Even with plasma of a few centimeters in size, it can be used for lasers with peak powers exceeding an exawatt,” added Professor Hyyong Suk of GIST.

The researchers propose using plasma to perform a role similar to traditional diffraction gratings in chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) systems. Unlike solid-state gratings, plasma is robust and resistant to damage at high intensities, making it an ideal medium for amplifying laser power.

The potential to increase laser power by such a massive amount has far-reaching implications. The most powerful lasers in the world have a peak power of around ten petawatts.

A new 20-petawatt laser, known as the “Vulcan 20-20,” is under construction at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. To put this into perspective, the Earth’s upper atmosphere receives approximately 173 petawatts of sunshine, with about one-third reaching the surface.

The new technique could push laser power beyond these staggering figures, reaching exawatt (10^18 watts) or zettawatt (10^21 watts) levels.

What’s the big deal?

One of the fundamental questions in modern physics is understanding what happens when light intensities exceed levels commonly found on Earth. High-power lasers provide scientists with the tools to explore the “intensity frontier,” investigating the nature of matter and the vacuum at unprecedented scales.

Ramping up laser power by orders of magnitude approaching or exceeding a million times would help in this field of study. Professor Dino Jaroszynski from the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Physics believes that these advancements will enable the development of next-generation laser-plasma accelerators, which are significantly smaller than conventional accelerators.

The new laser amplifying technique will also enable physicists to delve into several fundamental aspects of physics, from the so-called “intensity frontier” to the ability to extract particles from a vacuum.

The “intensity frontier” refers to the exploration and study of extremely high-intensity light and its interactions with matter. This has profound implications for astrophysics, allowing for the simulation of stellar phenomena in laboratory settings.

Light can induce unique and extreme conditions that are not normally observed under standard experimental setups at these high intensities.

This includes the ability to generate new states of matter, explore the fundamental properties of the vacuum, and simulate astrophysical phenomena such as those occurring in the interiors of stars.

Researchers use high-power lasers to reach these intensity levels, allowing them to probe and understand the behavior of matter and energy in previously impossible ways.

Pushing the limits of lasers

“A fundamental question is what happens when light intensities exceed levels common on earth. High-power lasers allow scientists to answer basic questions on the nature of matter and the vacuum and explore what is known as the intensity frontier,” explained Professor Jaroszynski.

Additionally, it could contribute significantly to laser fusion research, offering potential solutions to global energy challenges. Professor Min Sip Hur of UNIST highlights that the research could revolutionize advanced theoretical physics and astrophysics.

The collaborative efforts of the UK and South Korean teams will soon be put to the test in laboratory settings, aiming to validate their theoretical models through experimental evidence.

Professor Hyyong Suk of GIST adds that plasma can enhance traditional CPA technology by acting as a material that cannot be damaged, unlike conventional solid-state gratings. Even a plasma of just a few centimeters in size can be used to achieve laser peak powers exceeding an exawatt.

This represents a significant advancement over current technologies, which are limited by the physical properties of the materials used. Understanding the nature of matter and vacuum at intensities above 1024 W/cm2 is among the outstanding challenges of modern physics.

“Understanding the nature of matter and vacuum at intensities above 1024 W/cm2 are among the outstanding challenges of modern physics. High-power lasers also enable the study of the astrophysical phenomena in the laboratory, providing unique glimpses into the interior of stars and the [universe’s origin],” explained Strathclyde University in its press release.

Playing with lasers for science

High-power lasers allow for exploring these phenomena and provide unique insights into the interior of stars and the universe’s origins. This research, published in the journal Nature Photonics , offers a new method of compressing laser pulses to ultrahigh powers using the spatially varying dispersion of an inhomogeneous plasma.

This breakthrough significantly increases the power of lasers, opening up new possibilities for scientific exploration and technological innovation. As experimental validation progresses, the world may soon witness the dawn of a new era in high-power laser applications, from fundamental physics to practical energy solutions.

This collaborative effort also underscores the importance of international cooperation in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in science and technology.