A laser can lead lightning discharges to a lightning conductor during a thunderstorm. This is shown by the study by an international research group on a 124 meter high telecommunications tower on the Swiss mountain Säntis. The knowledge could lead to better lightning protection for airports, launch pads, etc., writes Aurélien Houard’s team from the Laboratoire d’Optique Appliquée in Palaiseau near Paris in the magazine “Nature Photonics”.
The images from a special camera show that the lightning coils more than 50 meters around the laser beam and then strikes the tower’s lightning rod. The laser had a wavelength of one micron and a repetition rate of 1000 hertz. The flash probably followed the area that the laser had previously heated up and made more conductive.
Image: ENSA Paris
more from Weltspiegel
Alleged police violence: hearing about an activist’s broken ribs
Police examine video of Prime Minister without a seat belt
School friend enabled Boss Messina Denaro to escape for many years
Actor Julian Sands missing: search operation in the mountains
My themes
For your saved topics
found new items.
info By clicking on the icon you add the keyword to your topics.
info
Click on the icon to open your “My Topics” page. They have of 15 tags saved and would have to remove tags.
info By clicking on the icon you remove the keyword from your topics.
Add the theme to your themes.
Source: Nachrichten
