Much research has been done on the enormous capacity that a technology such as laser can offer. Now it seems that we can go a little further since, thanks to this research, it seems that the United States Army has managed to develop a system by which, thanks to laser technology, sounds can be created out of nowhere by altering the air atoms surrounding the platform.
Without a doubt we are talking about a much different use than we all had thought at first. Without a doubt we are talking about a rather peculiar use, as well as the fact that the Pentagon expects to have a ready 'weapon'that may be able to incapacitate, not kill, enemies. This weapon has been created as part of the United States Non-Lethal Weapons Program.
This weapon is capable of creating sounds out of nowhere by modifying air molecules
Before continuing, let me tell you that although US Army engineers have certainly managed to create sound from a laser beam, the truth is that this platform is in the early stages of development. As commented David Law, none other than the director of the technology division of the United States Non-Lethal Weapons Program:
We are close to getting him to speak to us. We need three or four kilohertz more.
As for the words of David Law, tell you that this laser capable of creating sound, today, is capable of generating a kind of noise that is very similar to that produced by humans. For this, a system composed of two very different parts has been created, as has been revealed. On the one hand we have a femtosecond laser capable of firing a burst of light for a period of 10 to 15 seconds, long enough to get the electrons removed from the air molecules and create a plasma ball.
A femtosecond laser is responsible for generating a plasma ball that must be hit by a nanolaser to generate light, noise and even heat.
Once the aforementioned plasma ball has been generated, scientists they use a nanolaser to hit it at a very narrow frequency. Thanks to this, and especially after achieving a working methodology capable of manipulating this plasma ball in a very specific way, light, noise and even heat can be produced. For now, as we have already commented previously, the truth is that despite the engineers of the United States Army, they have managed to make the system is capable of creating human-like sounds. The objective pursued with this project is to create particular noises or heat at disparate points in space.
In this unique way, it is expected to be able to confuse armies thanks to a weapon that would not create any negative effect on anyone who is between the location of this unique platform and the place where this effect is created. Apparently and as has been revealed, for now and in the absence of making the appropriate adjustments, it has already been achieved that the exposure of these sounds is projected to 'tens of kilometers'.
The Department of Defense hopes to be able to use this peculiar 'weapon' in the short term
As has been commented from the Department of Defense, the idea they have regarding these non-lethal weapons is that of to minimize the deaths and permanent injuries of personnel with the intention of producing 'reversible effects'. An example to understand all this is that, apparently, they hope to fill the gap that exists between the stages of 'scream and shoot'and hopefully lead to'a de-escalation of force'.
With this idea, from the United States Department of Defense, they hope to be able to use this new 'weapon'within complex urban terrains full of civilians, as a security extra at checkpoints so that it can serve as a warning in convoy operations and even as a security in humanitarian operations or for managing large crowds.
Further information: Bigthink