“In 2012, for the first time, a strong femtosecond laser was used to induce a large area of snow in a cloud chamber.” Associate researcher of the laboratory said that laser intervention in weather sounds like a cutting-edge exploration of “science fiction”, but a scientific dream must be there. What if it happens? The huge accelerator is expected to become a “desktop computer”. Put on a white coat, shoe covers, and headgear. After the air shower, the reporter walked into the ultra-clean laboratory of a new generation of ultra-strong and ultra-short laser comprehensive experimental device.
“What is being developed here is a new technology that uses super-strong and ultra-short laser pointer to accelerate electrons, and then generates free-electron lasers.” The laboratory staff who is working overtime told reporters that the accelerators nowadays are very large and often need several hundred meters in length. The super-strong and ultra-short laser can allow electrons to have extremely high speed and energy in a short period of time, which is expected to make the accelerator very compact. In the future, perhaps every laboratory can put one in and do it at any time. Experiment and do testing.
At present, this equipment is only integrated in the temporary laboratory building. In order to debug the equipment more reasonably and safely, several lines must be debugged separately. All researchers and students are also divided into two classes: debug one line during the day and debug the other line at night.
“Optical debugging is a very precise operation.” The laboratory staff said that during the Spring Festival, everyone went home for the New Year and the building was empty. This is a good time for work. Therefore, during the Spring Festival, most of the staff stayed and worked overtime.
Leading the world depends on years of accumulation. “Work overtime, come together.” This sentence is often talked up and down by the laboratory because the work of this team includes theoretical research, engineering advancement, operation and maintenance and logistical support. Not open to the full cooperation of team members.
They have been working hard to improve the quality of the laser since they succeeded in outputting a 5-PW laser in September last year. Power is just one of many indicators. To become a stable and high-quality light source that can be provided to users, there are also many indicators such as focus intensity and signal-to-noise ratio. Today, the output power of the device has reached 5.4 petawatts.
At the time of the reporter’s interview, the equipment happened to be malfunctioning, and they were discussing replacing the failed imported parts with domestically-made parts. Associate researcher Xu Yi of the laboratory said that due to the independent research and development for more than ten years, the green laser pointer developed by them has surpassed the imported products. If you feel unsatisfied, you can immediately improve it yourself. “In the past, we were looking for foreign laser devices. Now people come to us to buy devices and seek cooperation.” He said that although independent research and development seemed to be slow at the beginning, the stamina accumulated was only revealed after ten years. “Without independent research and development back then, we may still only be able to buy off-the-shelf devices from others, and we will never be able to lead the way.