In a groundbreaking development, scientists have discovered a way to harness the power of laser technology to create a virtual lightning rod, capable of diverting lightning strikes away from buildings and other structures.

By aiming a powerful laser at the sky, experts have been able to create a virtual conductor that can guide the path of lightning strikes, potentially reducing the damage caused by natural disasters.

A revolutionary breakthrough in lightning protection technology has been unveiled in a paper published in the renowned journal Nature Photonics. The study demonstrates that a powerful laser aimed at the sky can create a virtual lightning rod, capable of redirecting lightning strikes away from critical infrastructure such as power stations, airports, and launchpads.

Traditionally, the Franklin rod has been the go-to lightning protection device, intercepting lightning discharges and guiding them safely to the ground. However, this new laser technology could potentially provide a more effective alternative to the Franklin rod and pave the way for improved lightning protection methods in the future.

An innovative solution to lightning protection has emerged in the form of a laser beam directed at the sky, which acts as a virtual, movable rod. The concept of using intense laser pulses to guide lightning strikes has been previously studied in laboratory conditions, but the latest experiments conducted by Aurélien Houard and his team on the Säntis Mountain in Switzerland mark the first time that the technology has been tested in a field setting.

For decades, the Franklin rod has been the primary method for protecting critical infrastructure from lightning strikes. However, the latest experiment offers the first experimental demonstration of lightning guiding by lasers, and could potentially provide a powerful alternative to traditional protection methods.

A massive laser, the size of a car, was set up close to a telecommunications tower that experiences lightning strikes approximately 100 times annually.

The scientists noticed that over more than 6 hours of operation during a rainstorm, the laser changed the path of 4 upward lightning discharges.

They used the lightning’s high-frequency electromagnetic pulses to confirm their findings. Successful directing was further proven by an increase in the detection of X-ray bursts at the time of the impacts.

High-speed cameras caught one of the hits on video, and they showed that it tracked the laser’s route for more than 50 meters.

The authors come to the conclusion that their results add to what is known about laser physics in the atmosphere and may help people come up with new ways to protect against lightning.

Source: 10.1038/s41566-022-01139-z