Scientists say for the first time ever, they were able to guide lightning bolts using laser technology. The breakthrough represents an important step toward laser-based lightning protection for airports and other large infrastructures, researchers said.
Using a high-repetition-rate terawatt laser, the equipment was set up next to a telecommunication tower that is one of Europe's structures most affected by lightning.in advance.
The tower was hit by at least 16 lightning flashes, four of which occurred during laser activity. All four strikes were intercepted. This concept, which was first proposed in the 1970s, has worked in laboratory conditions, but not in the field until now.
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