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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 10, 2002

'Shenguang II' Super Laser developed in Shanghai

In an area as large as a football ground, the newly developed "Shenguang (magic rays) II" super laser, which consists of over a hundred optical apparatuses, is able to emit gigantic energy equal to that of a global electricity network in a spark of one billionth of a second, creating a physical phenomenon which is likely to be found only at the centre of a nuclear explosion, the rim of black hole or inside a star.


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In an area as large as a football ground, the newly developed "Shenguang (magic rays) II" super laser, which consists of over a hundred optical apparatuses, is able to emit gigantic energy equal to that of a global electricity network in a spark of one billionth of a second, creating a physical phenomenon which is likely to be found only at the centre of a nuclear explosion, the rim of black hole or inside a star.

Situated at theShanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the super laser, by sending out tremendous energy in a very short time, could give out extreme pressure and high temperature to trigger off fusion reaction.

By providing extreme physical conditions the laser is to be used in scientific experiments, and is of great significance to basic researches, hi-tech applications and the development of new technology for national defence.

"Shenguang" has a promising prospect, expert says, because nuclear fusion holds out the hope of clean energy in future years. By the middle of this century scientists, as expected, would be able to use laser-produced fusion to turn rich deuterium and tritium in seawater into great and endless energy. Completion of "Shenguang II" marks a step forward made by China towards obtaining energy from seawater.

By the successful development of "Shenguang II", China has planted itself in the world forefront of laser studies. For the moment, such huge and precise optical apparatus can only be made in a few countries such as the USA and Japan, and the general technological performance of "Shenguang II" has entered the rank of world top 5.



By PD online staff member Li Heng


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