What happens when a laser is shot at a neutron star?

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Shooting a powerful laser at a neutron star would likely result in the laser being absorbed rather than reflected, as photons cannot bounce off neutrons. If absorbed, the energy from the laser would not cause significant excitation of the neutrons due to the extreme gravitational conditions. The laser would travel at the speed of light relative to the observer in orbit. Additionally, general relativity (GR) effects would cause an anomalous shift in the angle of any reflected beam. Overall, the interaction between the laser and the neutron star's surface is complex and influenced by the star's unique properties.
Maniax
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Hey!

What would happen if you were orbiting a neutron star and shot a powerful laserbeam at the surface, at some angle?
Would it reflect? Would it be absorbed?

Thinking (if you picture the star as a perfect neutron star) that the surface is absolutley smooth, it would reflect light perfectly. But then again - does photons "bounce" of off neutrons? I remember that that is not the case - a photon cannot bounce, it can be absorbed and retransmitted, yes, but not bounced. Or is it the waveform that can bounce?

And if it is absorbed, where will the energy go? Ther isn't much space for the neutrons to wobble around and gravity is kind of in the way for them to get excited...

Anyone?
 
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It would travel at the speed of light wrt the orbital platform. Neutron stars emit light, hence obey GR. You would, however, notice an anomalous shift in the angle of the reflected beam due to GR effects.
 

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