Beam weapons (Directed Energy Weapons)
Beam weapons (Directed Energy Weapons)
May 30, 2019
May 30, 2019
Dmytro Demydenko
Private consultant: Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biotechnology, Drug Development, Kyiv, UkraineDmytro Demydenko
Beam weapons (Directed Energy Weapons) in the form of lasers more and more frequently appear in mass media, but, in fact, as classified weapon they have been developed and used mainly on microwave and ultrasonic frequencies for about 50 years and were installed mainly on military satellites orbiting Earth. The development of ground-based weapons is associated with the need to protect against satellites of other countries, that perform espionage functions and, using beam weapons mounted on them, can destroy unwanted objects on the Earth surface, such as sensitive elements of any civilian or military equipment, and can affect human brain.
Beam weapons (Directed Energy Weapons) in the form of lasers more and more frequently appear in mass media, but, in fact, as classified weapon they have been developed and used mainly on microwave and ultrasonic frequencies for about 50 years and were installed mainly on military satellites orbiting Earth. The development of ground-based weapons is associated with the need to protect against satellites of other countries, that perform espionage functions and, using beam weapons mounted on them, can destroy unwanted objects on the Earth surface, such as sensitive elements of any civilian or military equipment, and can affect human brain.
Laureates of the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics Ch. Towns, N. Basov and A. Prokhorov "For the fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which led to the creation of emitters and amplifiers on the laser-maser principle" [1, 2, 3] most likely did not imagine that their discovery would make it possible to create a fundamentally new weapon, able to almost instantly hit the target First of all, these were masers (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation - MASER).
Laureates of the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics Ch. Towns, N. Basov and A. Prokhorov "For the fundamental work in the field of quantum electronics, which led to the creation of emitters and amplifiers on the laser-maser principle" [1, 2, 3] most likely did not imagine that their discovery would make it possible to create a fundamentally new weapon, able to almost instantly hit the target First of all, these were masers (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation - MASER).
The first maser was built by Ch. Townes, D. Gordon, and G. Zeiger at the Columbia University in 1953 [1], which worked on ammonia and was emitting at a frequency of about 24 GHz, not visible to the human eye (the human eye sees frequencies in the range 429 to 750 THz).
The first maser was built by Ch. Townes, D. Gordon, and G. Zeiger at the Columbia University in 1953 [1], which worked on ammonia and was emitting at a frequency of about 24 GHz, not visible to the human eye (the human eye sees frequencies in the range 429 to 750 THz).
Ch. Townes
Ch. Townes
(1915-2015)
(1915-2015)
USA
USA
½ of the prize
½ of the prize
Басов
Басов
Микола Геннадійович
Микола Геннадійович
(1922-2001)
(1922-2001)
СРСР
СРСР
¼ премії
¼ премії
A. Prokhorov (1916-2002)
A. Prokhorov (1916-2002)
USSR
USSR
¼ of the prize
¼ of the prize
Coherently emitting visible light source, that is in which different atoms would emit coherently, with the same frequency, phase, polarization and direction of distribution was first made in the late 1960s by A. Javan, W. Bennett and D. Herriott. Thus they created the first gas (helium-neon) laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation - LASER). The same year, in August in one of the world's most famous scientific journals «Nature» [4] T. Maiman presented the results, which demonstrated that the first solid-state laser was created - ruby laser.
Coherently emitting visible light source, that is in which different atoms would emit coherently, with the same frequency, phase, polarization and direction of distribution was first made in the late 1960s by A. Javan, W. Bennett and D. Herriott. Thus they created the first gas (helium-neon) laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation - LASER). The same year, in August in one of the world's most famous scientific journals «Nature» [4] T. Maiman presented the results, which demonstrated that the first solid-state laser was created - ruby laser.
Info: Visible light from the Sun is a mixture of radiation of various frequencies, phases and polarizations, which is formed as a result of the merger of nuclei of hydrogen atoms with the formation of the nuclei of helium atoms due to high pressure and temperature (theoretically about 15 million degrees Celsius), which are the result of great gravity force on the Sun, which in turn is a consequence of the great mass of this star, accounting for 99.87% of the mass of the entire Solar system [5]. The aforementioned process of fusion of atomic nuclei of some elements with the formation of others and the release of a large amount of energy in the form of radiation is called a fusion (thermonuclear) reaction. Human eyes see only the visible part of the Sun's radiation in the frequency range (f) from 429 to 750 THz (Thera Hertz), or in other words in the wavelength range (λ) of 780-380 nm(nanometers) (the formula for converting is as follows λ = v/f, where λ is the wavelength, v is the phase velocity (in this case, the speed of light -c), f is the frequency). Also, the sun emits in the invisible to the human eye ranges - radio, infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray.
Info: Visible light from the Sun is a mixture of radiation of various frequencies, phases and polarizations, which is formed as a result of the merger of nuclei of hydrogen atoms with the formation of the nuclei of helium atoms due to high pressure and temperature (theoretically about 15 million degrees Celsius), which are the result of great gravity force on the Sun, which in turn is a consequence of the great mass of this star, accounting for 99.87% of the mass of the entire Solar system [5]. The aforementioned process of fusion of atomic nuclei of some elements with the formation of others and the release of a large amount of energy in the form of radiation is called a fusion (thermonuclear) reaction. Human eyes see only the visible part of the Sun's radiation in the frequency range (f) from 429 to 750 THz (Thera Hertz), or in other words in the wavelength range (λ) of 780-380 nm(nanometers) (the formula for converting is as follows λ = v/f, where λ is the wavelength, v is the phase velocity (in this case, the speed of light -c), f is the frequency). Also, the sun emits in the invisible to the human eye ranges - radio, infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray.
Taken from [6]
Unclassified examples of beam weapons include the following:
Unclassified examples of beam weapons include the following:
LaWS (Laser Weapons System) system, created in the United States [7].
LaWS (Laser Weapons System) system, created in the United States [7].
Laser Weapons System (US Navy photo by John F. Williams)
Laser Weapons System (US Navy photo by John F. Williams)
Russian laser complex «Peresvet» [9]
Russian laser complex «Peresvet» [9]
Laser gun ZKZM-500, developed в Xi'an Institute of Optics and prsision mechanics [15]
Laser gun ZKZM-500, developed в Xi'an Institute of Optics and prsision mechanics [15]
Screenshot from video [16, see also 17]
Screenshot from video [16, see also 17]
If you think about required laser power, then you need to take into account the following physical patterns. At an energy of 1 J, which is concentrated in the interval of time 1 s, the radiation power will be only 1 W (1 Watt is the energy (1 Joule) in 1 s). But if we reduce the duration of the laser pulse, with a constant energy of 1 J, then at a duration of 1 ms (1 thousand times less than 1 s), we already have 10,000 W, and at 10 μs (1 million times less than 1 sec) – 10,000,000 Watts And with an increase in energy up to 1000 J and a decrease in the pulse duration up to 10 ns (1 billion times less than 1 s), the power will reach 10,000,000,000 Watts. It is known [18] that at a power of 100,000 W/sq. cm the iron surface begins to melt.
If you think about required laser power, then you need to take into account the following physical patterns. At an energy of 1 J, which is concentrated in the interval of time 1 s, the radiation power will be only 1 W (1 Watt is the energy (1 Joule) in 1 s). But if we reduce the duration of the laser pulse, with a constant energy of 1 J, then at a duration of 1 ms (1 thousand times less than 1 s), we already have 10,000 W, and at 10 μs (1 million times less than 1 sec) – 10,000,000 Watts And with an increase in energy up to 1000 J and a decrease in the pulse duration up to 10 ns (1 billion times less than 1 s), the power will reach 10,000,000,000 Watts. It is known [18] that at a power of 100,000 W/sq. cm the iron surface begins to melt.
Also, during the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, the intensity (W/sq.m) of the radiation itself decreases in accordance with the Beer–Lambert–Bouguer law exponentially and depends on many factors: wavelength, atmospheric pressure, humidity, temperature and other natural factors. The lasers are created keeping in mind "transparency windows" of the atmosphere, but even in those transparency windows, the atmosphere weakens the intensity of the beam. For approximate calculations it can be assumed that (with taking into account own absorption, molecular scattering, aerosol scattering, and precipitation) intensity losses can reach 100 times at distances larger than 1 km [19].
Also, during the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, the intensity (W/sq.m) of the radiation itself decreases in accordance with the Beer–Lambert–Bouguer law exponentially and depends on many factors: wavelength, atmospheric pressure, humidity, temperature and other natural factors. The lasers are created keeping in mind "transparency windows" of the atmosphere, but even in those transparency windows, the atmosphere weakens the intensity of the beam. For approximate calculations it can be assumed that (with taking into account own absorption, molecular scattering, aerosol scattering, and precipitation) intensity losses can reach 100 times at distances larger than 1 km [19].
The estimate of the required output power, using the Beer–Lambert–Bouguer law, gives the following result. At a distance to the target of approximately 1000 m to reach a specific power of 100 kW/sq.cm, the output power should be 10 000 000 Watts In order to estimate the scale of a system that should produce such power, it can be compared with the capacity of the Rivne NPP, which according to open data sources [20] generates a power of 2 835 000 000 W. That is, the required power is only about 200 times less than the power of a nuclear power plant. This means that, at the current level of technology, in the absence of sufficiently compact high-efficiency energy storage devices and compact high-power emitters, laser weapons have a fairly limited application (see above). However, modern technologies are not standing steel, and if we take into account the their exponential development, then in the near future we will witness the creation of more efficient laser weapons.
The estimate of the required output power, using the Beer–Lambert–Bouguer law, gives the following result. At a distance to the target of approximately 1000 m to reach a specific power of 100 kW/sq.cm, the output power should be 10 000 000 Watts In order to estimate the scale of a system that should produce such power, it can be compared with the capacity of the Rivne NPP, which according to open data sources [20] generates a power of 2 835 000 000 W. That is, the required power is only about 200 times less than the power of a nuclear power plant. This means that, at the current level of technology, in the absence of sufficiently compact high-efficiency energy storage devices and compact high-power emitters, laser weapons have a fairly limited application (see above). However, modern technologies are not standing steel, and if we take into account the their exponential development, then in the near future we will witness the creation of more efficient laser weapons.
The Protocol to the Geneva Convention of 1980 prohibits the use of laser weapons for complete and irrevocable damage to human vision, but infliction of partial/temporary damage is not prohibited. In the meantime, while all the superpowers of the world are working towards the further development of laser weapons, Ukraine has become a test site for them [21].
The Protocol to the Geneva Convention of 1980 prohibits the use of laser weapons for complete and irrevocable damage to human vision, but infliction of partial/temporary damage is not prohibited. In the meantime, while all the superpowers of the world are working towards the further development of laser weapons, Ukraine has become a test site for them [21].
As for protection against beam weapons, the best of them are the beam weapons themselves and the means of their destruction.
As for protection against beam weapons, the best of them are the beam weapons themselves and the means of their destruction.
(When writing the article, the author used the advice of Roman Red’ko, Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of Physical and Technological problems of
(When writing the article, the author used the advice of Roman Red’ko, Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of Physical and Technological problems of
Solid-State Microwave Electronics at V.Ye. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.)
Solid-State Microwave Electronics at V.Ye. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.)
List of references:
List of references:
1. Gordon, Zeiger, and Townes, Phys. Rev. 95, 282 (1954).
1. Gordon, Zeiger, and Townes, Phys. Rev. 95, 282 (1954).
2. NG Bassov and AM Prokhorov, J. Exptl. Theoret Phys. (USSR) 27, 431 (1954).
2. NG Bassov and AM Prokhorov, J. Exptl. Theoret Phys. (USSR) 27, 431 (1954).
3. NG Bassov and AM Prokhorov, Proc. Acad of Sciences (USSR) 101, 47 (1945)
3. NG Bassov and AM Prokhorov, Proc. Acad of Sciences (USSR) 101, 47 (1945)
4. T. H. Maiman, " Stimulated Optical Radiation in Ruby ", Nature, vol. 187, 493-494 (1960).
4. T. H. Maiman, " Stimulated Optical Radiation in Ruby ", Nature, vol. 187, 493-494 (1960).
5. Sun, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun)
5. Sun, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun)
6. Електромагнітне випромінювання. Вікіпедія (http://bit.ly/2Xaarn5)
6. Електромагнітне випромінювання. Вікіпедія (http://bit.ly/2Xaarn5)
7. AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/SEQ-3_Laser_Weapon_System)
7. AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/SEQ-3_Laser_Weapon_System)
8. Watch the US Navy's laser weapon in action, CNN, YouTube, July 17, 2017, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyUh_xSjvXQ).
8. Watch the US Navy's laser weapon in action, CNN, YouTube, July 17, 2017, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyUh_xSjvXQ).
9. 8 Insane Future Military LASER WEAPONS, Freeze Lists, YouTube, Dec 21, 2016 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn-_oWl_x90)
9. 8 Insane Future Military LASER WEAPONS, Freeze Lists, YouTube, Dec 21, 2016 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn-_oWl_x90)
10. Whether "Peresvet" will get to the goal, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 5, 2018 (http://www.ng.ru/armies/2018-12-05/2_7456_target.html)
10. Whether "Peresvet" will get to the goal, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 5, 2018 (http://www.ng.ru/armies/2018-12-05/2_7456_target.html)
11. The laser "Peresvet" has taken on military duty in Russia. What is this system ?, The Russian BBC Service, December 5, 2018 (https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-46452274).
11. The laser "Peresvet" has taken on military duty in Russia. What is this system ?, The Russian BBC Service, December 5, 2018 (https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-46452274).
12. Combat laser complex "Peresvet" by the eyes of the foreign press, Military Review, December 12, 2018 (https://topwar.ru/151101-boevoj-lazernyj-kompleks-peresvet-glazami-zarubezhnoj-pressy.html)
12. Combat laser complex "Peresvet" by the eyes of the foreign press, Military Review, December 12, 2018 (https://topwar.ru/151101-boevoj-lazernyj-kompleks-peresvet-glazami-zarubezhnoj-pressy.html)
13. Chalenges to security in space, USA Defense Intelligence Agency, January 2019 (https://www.dia.mil/Portals/27/Documents/News/Military%20Power%20Publications/Space_Threat_V14_020119_sm.pdf)
13. Chalenges to security in space, USA Defense Intelligence Agency, January 2019 (https://www.dia.mil/Portals/27/Documents/News/Military%20Power%20Publications/Space_Threat_V14_020119_sm.pdf)
14. Laser From Chinese Base The US Military Pilots In Africa's Skies, Pentagon Charges, Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2018, (https://www.wsj.com/articles/laser-from-chinese-base-aimed-at- us-military-pilot-in-africa-skies-pentagon-charges-1525351775)
14. Laser From Chinese Base The US Military Pilots In Africa's Skies, Pentagon Charges, Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2018, (https://www.wsj.com/articles/laser-from-chinese-base-aimed-at- us-military-pilot-in-africa-skies-pentagon-charges-1525351775)
15. China brings Star Wars to life with a 'laser AK-47' that can set fire to targets a kilometer away, South China Morning Post, July 1, 2018 (https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence / article / 2153310 / china-brings-star-war-life-laser-ak-47-could-set-fire)
15. China brings Star Wars to life with a 'laser AK-47' that can set fire to targets a kilometer away, South China Morning Post, July 1, 2018 (https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence / article / 2153310 / china-brings-star-war-life-laser-ak-47-could-set-fire)
16. Chinese "Star Wars" laser weapon appears to be setting fire on objects at a distance, South China Morning Post, July 4, 2018 (https://www.scmp.com/video/offbeat/2153779/chinese-star-wars-laser -weapon-appears-set-fire-objects-distance)
16. Chinese "Star Wars" laser weapon appears to be setting fire on objects at a distance, South China Morning Post, July 4, 2018 (https://www.scmp.com/video/offbeat/2153779/chinese-star-wars-laser -weapon-appears-set-fire-objects-distance)
17. Science calls bullshit on China's 'AK-47 laser gun', Big Think, July 2, 2018 (https://bigthink.com/news/we-call-bullshit-on-that-chinese-army-laser-gun- thats-making-the-rounds).
17. Science calls bullshit on China's 'AK-47 laser gun', Big Think, July 2, 2018 (https://bigthink.com/news/we-call-bullshit-on-that-chinese-army-laser-gun- thats-making-the-rounds).
18. Fedorov BF Laz e ry. Fundamentals of the device and application. -M.: DOSAAF, 1988.-190 p.
18. Fedorov BF Laz e ry. Fundamentals of the device and application. -M.: DOSAAF, 1988.-190 p.
19. Nazarov VN, Balashov IF Power estimation of pulsed laser rangefinders. Electronic discipline textbook: "Special Optical Instruments"
19. Nazarov VN, Balashov IF Power estimation of pulsed laser rangefinders. Electronic discipline textbook: "Special Optical Instruments"
20. Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/2EDB3ph).
20. Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, Wikipedia (http://bit.ly/2EDB3ph).
21. Russian invaders used laser weapons in Donbass, Espresso TV, February 9, 2019 (https://espreso.tv/news/2019/02/09/rosiyski_okupanty_zastosuvaly_na_donbasi_lazernu_zbroyu)
21. Russian invaders used laser weapons in Donbass, Espresso TV, February 9, 2019 (https://espreso.tv/news/2019/02/09/rosiyski_okupanty_zastosuvaly_na_donbasi_lazernu_zbroyu)
More of the useful articles:
More of the useful articles:
- DL Carroll, Overview of High Energy Lasers: Past, Present, and Future ?, 42nd AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference (http://www.magenlaoref.org.il/Carroll-AIAA-2011-3102-383.pdf)
- DL Carroll, Overview of High Energy Lasers: Past, Present, and Future ?, 42nd AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference (http://www.magenlaoref.org.il/Carroll-AIAA-2011-3102-383.pdf)
- Olson M, History of Laser Weapon Research, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Corporate Communications, C6,6149 Welsh Road, Suite 239, Dahlgren, VA, 22448-5130 (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3043/1906ceb269c09ae08f68076368a183a0a27f.pdf).
- Olson M, History of Laser Weapon Research, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Corporate Communications, C6,6149 Welsh Road, Suite 239, Dahlgren, VA, 22448-5130 (https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3043/1906ceb269c09ae08f68076368a183a0a27f.pdf).