A new laser under development by BAE Systems could boost a high-flying airplane's ability to spot targets on the ground, creating a temporary floating "lens" in midair that magnifies objects. The same laser could also create a fast-acting deflector shield, protecting the aircraft from incoming enemy laser beams.

The technology, known as Laser Developed Atmospheric Lens (LDAL), would use a high-pulsed power laser to temporarily heat or ionize the atmosphere. This so-called Kerr Effect changes the light wave transmission properties of the air that the laser passes through, making it possible to create temporary mirrors, lenses, and fresnel zone plates in the sky.

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The advantages are mind-blowing. A high-flying reconnaissance aircraft could use pulses from an onboard laser to create an invisible magnifying lens. If the aircraft wanted a close view of an object on the ground, it could quickly create such as lens, enhancing its own onboard optics. The "lens" would quickly disappear as the atmosphere returns to normal temperature.

The process relies on the principle of refraction, in which electromagnetic waves can change direction depending on the medium they're passing through. Refraction of light waves is what makes a straw look bent in a glass of water. Refraction of radio waves is what allows AM radio signals to be heard hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles from the original transmission point, as the signals bounce off the ionosphere and return to Earth . The LDAL creates a point in the atmosphere where light waves are refracted back up at the aircraft.

LDAL creating an anti-laser deflector field out of heated or ionized air. BAE Systems concept art.

At the same time, LDAL can act as a self-defense laser for ships, aircraft, and ground vehicles. Within milliseconds of detecting a scorching enemy laser, LDAL can shoot back and create a refraction lens in the patch of sky the enemy beam is passing through. This alters the path of the beam, causing it to miss.

BAE Systems, the defense contractor working on the concept, believes that such a system could be available to battlefield commanders within the next 50 years—and perhaps sooner. Although the technology sounds like an energy guzzler, BAE says the system relies upon many laser shots of less than a second, significantly lowering energy demands.

There are even more tantalizing possibilities. Since light and radio waves both reside on the electromagnetic spectrum, it might be possible to refract other EM emissions—such as radar waves—back up to waiting spy planes, making it unnecessary to collect such key data from up close. Another point to consider: LDAL can also create fresnel lenses, which are so good at focusing light they are used to start fires .

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