I've talked to friends before about light sabers being theoretically possible. I imagined limits on them as being different than those imposed in the movies... perhaps magnetic containment would open the possibility. This new discovery moves beyond that imposed limit, because the photons contain themselves. Star Wars fans may delight in this new discovery as it is very similar to light saber "matter" in how it interacts with itself and solid objects.
This may also open other previously impossible weapons such as photon torpedos. Space Age discoveries seem to be happening when many space missions are on hold. I can't wait to see what is coming next!
The Newest Thing: Light Sabers
ReplyDeleteHere's an interesting and related link:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-10/us-special-forces-field-test-plasma-knife?src=related&con=outbrain&obref=obinsite