Is it possible to make a gamma-ray laser?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the feasibility of creating a gamma-ray laser, particularly a free-electron laser (FEL), and its potential application in igniting Hydrogen-Boron fusion. Participants explore theoretical possibilities, technical challenges, and implications of such technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a gamma-ray laser could theoretically exist, but would require a nuclear bomb for pumping, while others argue that gamma rays are inherently emitted by nuclei, suggesting it may be impossible.
  • One participant mentions a proposal for using an X/Gamma ray laser in an anti-ballistic missile system, indicating that the theory is established but raises moral and political concerns about its construction.
  • Another participant discusses the limitations of free-electron lasers, noting that a high energy FEL might be possible but is constrained by factors such as energy conversion efficiency and magnetic field requirements.
  • There is a suggestion that an X-ray laser could potentially initiate Hydrogen-Boron fusion, although this remains speculative.
  • Technical details about the operational principles of FELs are shared, including challenges related to alignment and focusing of electron bunches.
  • Participants express curiosity about the visual effects of such a laser, acknowledging the challenges of "seeing" gamma rays due to their high energy and penetrating nature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of viewpoints, with some supporting the theoretical possibility of a gamma-ray laser and others challenging its feasibility. There is no consensus on whether such a laser could be practically developed or its implications.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved technical challenges related to energy conversion and the specific requirements for generating gamma rays versus X-rays. The discussion also touches on the moral implications of developing such technology.

Green Xenon [Radium]
Hi:

Is it possible to make a free-electron laser that emit coherent gamma
rays? If so, could this laser be used to ignite Hydrogen-Boron fusion?

Thanks,

Radium
 
Science news on Phys.org
Green Xenon [Radium] wrote:
> Hi:
>
> Is it possible to make a free-electron laser that emit coherent gamma
> rays? If so, could this laser be used to ignite Hydrogen-Boron fusion?[/color]

Since by definition gamma rays are emitted by nuclei I'd say its
impossible. X-rays of the same wavelength however...

--
Dirk

http://www.transcendence.me.uk/ - Transcendence UK
Remote Viewing classes in London
 
Last edited by a moderator:
On 10 Jun, 17:52, "Green Xenon [Radium]" <gluceg...@excite.com> wrote:
> Hi:
>
> Is it possible to make a free-electron laser that emit coherent gamma
> rays? If so, could this laser be used to ignite Hydrogen-Boron fusion?
>[/color]
Yes it is. A nuclear bomb though is required to pump it. Any
wavelength can theoretically lase. There has in fact been a proposal
to use an X/Gamma ray laser in an ABM system. The theory is all known.
The idea is to point rods towards incoming missiles and then detonate
a nuclear bomb. The material will stay in place just long enough for
the laser pulse.

A free electron laser is I feel impossible as you would need the sort
of magnetic fields you get round black holes.

Whether the laser should be built or not is a political and moral
question. There are you know limits for moral scientific enquiry.- Ian Parker
 
ive got to admit though it would be cool to see
 
Blackout-Bill said:
ive got to admit though it would be cool to see

Technically 'seeing' it would be a bit tricky!
I suppose it would be cool to see it melt your head.
 
Dirk Bruere at NeoPax wrote:

> Green Xenon [Radium] wrote:[/color]

>> Hi:
>>
>> Is it possible to make a free-electron laser that emit coherent gamma
>> rays? If so, could this laser be used to ignite Hydrogen-Boron fusion?[/color][/color]

>
> Since by definition gamma rays are emitted by nuclei I'd say its
> impossible. X-rays of the same wavelength however...
>[/color]

Then could an X-ray laser be used to initiate HB fusion?
 
On Jun 10, 9:52=A0am, "Green Xenon [Radium]" <gluceg...@excite.com>
wrote:
> Hi:
>
> Is it possible to make a free-electron laser that emit coherent gamma
> rays? If so, could this laser be used to ignite Hydrogen-Boron fusion?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Radium[/color]

A high energy FEL appears theoretically possible and allows a modest
energy. A several MeV energy level is allowed. What happens is a
bunch as the wiggled electron set can not be aligned as a whole
packet, disallowing ultra high energy levels.

A 5 MeV limit effectively exists. Distortion of the bunch causes the
magnetic field to also distort. A focusing is not present in FEL's
because of the difficulty in field gradient versus field x-axis
acceleration. x-axis as the wiggled axis must be a suitably high
displacement and the magnetic field density as a length causes the
field to wiggle as a whole set of accelerator magnets. Meaning the
whole length emitts as a laser, it is not magnet element by element
Bremsstralung.

So the axis free energy as a local effect becomes the stimulated atom
set, in effect, in analogy to a gas laser. FELs are true lasers, but
atomic excitation does not occur.

Axis acceleration versus length magnetic field gradient allows a state
as a wire coil excitation. Excited field coils form the laser in FELs,
not excited gas atoms. A property of the coil allows focusing to
overcome this limitation. An RF waveguided cavity inside the FEL can
allow ultrahigh energy levels. A small linac field will cause a
slight bunching preventing distortion of the wire coil's magnetic
field.

A literal vacuum cavity using suseptable metal becomes the interior of
a good simple wiggler magnet.
 
Ian Parker wrote:
> On 10 Jun, 17:52, "Green Xenon [Radium]" <gluceg...@excite.com> wrote:
>> Hi:
>>
>> Is it possible to make a free-electron laser that emit coherent gamma
>> rays? If so, could this laser be used to ignite Hydrogen-Boron fusion?
>>[/color]
> Yes it is. A nuclear bomb though is required to pump it. Any
> wavelength can theoretically lase. There has in fact been a proposal
> to use an X/Gamma ray laser in an ABM system. The theory is all known.
> The idea is to point rods towards incoming missiles and then detonate
> a nuclear bomb. The material will stay in place just long enough for
> the laser pulse.
>
> A free electron laser is I feel impossible as you would need the sort
> of magnetic fields you get round black holes.
>
> Whether the laser should be built or not is a political and moral
> question. There are you know limits for moral scientific enquiry.[/color]

AIUI the US tried to build such a laser and failed.
Too little energy was converted to gamma rays.

Ditto induced gamma emmision from pumped isomers, although any major
success would probably be classified immediately because of its military
implications.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_gamma_emission

--
Dirk

http://www.transcendence.me.uk/ - Transcendence UK
Remote Viewing classes in London
 
Last edited by a moderator:
mgb_phys said:
Technically 'seeing' it would be a bit tricky!
I suppose it would be cool to see it melt your head.

I don't think i would really 'see' it melting my head, do you ?
 
  • #10
Blackout-Bill said:
I don't think i would really 'see' it melting my head, do you ?
It appears mgb_phys is reacting to the comment about 'seeing' a gamma-ray laser, but I don't believe that is what one meant. I believe one meant that it would be interesting to see/observe the effects of an operating gamma laser, or rather, a concentration of gamma radiation.

Clearly X-ray and gamma rays are 'invisible', i.e. like UV they are outside of the visible spectrum. X-rays and gamma rays are highly penetrating, with the penetration increasing as a function of energy. They are also ionizing since they interact with atomic electrons (photoelectric effect and Compton scattering) and nuclei (electron-positron pair production).


Basically X-rays/gamma rays of wavelengths comparable to atomic lattices can be focused. With shorter wavelengths, they can't be focused but would more likely scatter, and the scattering increases with energy.


Free electron laser are somewhat limited in wavelength/frequency.

The free-electron laser has the widest frequency range of any laser type, and can be widely tunable, currently ranging in wavelength from microwaves, through terahertz radiation and infrared, to the visible spectrum, to ultraviolet, to soft X-rays.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_electron_laser

But - http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/Frontiers/2002/b2excell.html

Scientists and engineers at Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source (APS) achieved "saturation" of self-amplified spontaneous emission in a mirrorless free-electron laser at a wavelength more than 1,000 times shorter than the previous record. This accomplishment demonstrated that free-electron lasers based on this process may one day provide laser-quality X-ray beams and open exciting new horizons for research in dozens of scientific fields.

The beam of light produced in the experiment had a wavelength of 385 nanometers, placing it in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. The success of the particular process employed at Argonne is gauged by whether the free-electron laser effect has "saturated," meaning the point at which the maximum power has been yielded by the electron beam and converted to coherent synchrotron radiation. The Argonne device clearly exhibited saturation of the process.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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