The University of Michigan has in its possession the most powerful laser in the United States, and researchers want to send its pulses at an experimental target.
The laser is named ZEUS, or the more eloquent Zetawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort pulse laser System. The scientists working on ZEUS hope it will lead to the development of new technologies in electronics, national security, and medicine as it investigates the quantum universe and outer space.
ZEUS’ first assignment will involve the high-repetition target area and an innovative form of X-ray imaging. The team plans to launch infrared laser pulses into a helium target and turn it into plasma that accelerates electrons and makes compact X-ray pulses.This run will start at a power of 30 terawatts, or 30 trillion watts. But that’s only a fraction of ZEUS’ maximum capacity, which measures three petawatts, or three quadrillion watts.The team will conduct another run later this year and attempt to achieve the high repetition target area’s full power of 500 terawatts.
ZEUS’ signature experiments that will assist in quantum universe studies are projected to start in fall 2023. Here, the laser will create a beam of high-speed electrons. The electrons will then run into laser pulses to simulate a zetawatt laser pulse, which is a million times stronger than three petawatts.
The laser is a part of an attempt to bolster high-power laser facilities in the U.S. and keep pace with the systems in Europe and Asia. Still, ZEUS serves as an upgrade from its predecessor, HERCULES, leading to Greek mythology confusion.
