A revolutionary laser system called ZEUS has completed its first official experiment, boasting an unprecedented 2-petawatt power output. This immense energy is roughly 100 times brighter than the global electricity grid. The research facility, based at the University of Michigan, marks a significant milestone in ultrafast laser experiments with far-reaching potential.
ZEUS stands for Zettawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort Pulse Laser System and offers its capabilities to researchers worldwide through an independent selection process. A team from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), is currently conducting an experiment that aims to generate high-energy electron beams comparable to those produced by kilometer-long particle accelerators.
The ZEUS laser relies on plasma physics to accelerate electrons, using a device that fits in a room-sized space. The process involves two synchronized laser beams: one creates a guiding channel, while the other accelerates electrons through it. This technique has numerous applications, including advanced imaging methods for soft tissues and cancer treatment.
The facility’s compact design enables researchers to operate more efficiently than larger facilities like particle accelerators or the National Ignition Facility. The journey to 2-petawatt power took four and a half years, with significant challenges in sourcing components, such as the titanium sapphire crystal at the heart of the final amplifier.
Since its opening in October 2023, ZEUS has already supported 11 experiments and hosted 58 researchers from 22 institutions. The facility aims to reach 3-petawatt levels by next year, further expanding its capabilities and reshaping what’s possible for high-powered laser research in the US.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/americas-most-powerful-laser-zeus-just-hit-2-petawatts-100x-global-electricity-output