Navy Scientists Develop Laser For Underwater Communication 83
Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory claim to have come up with a better tool for underwater acoustics. The new system uses laser light to create sound underwater from a distance. This technology could allow planes a much easier method of communicating with submarines without the need for a floating buoy. "Efficient conversion of light into sound can be achieved by concentrating the light sufficiently to ionize a small amount of water, which then absorbs laser energy and superheats. The result is a small explosion of steam, which can generate a 220 decibel pulse of sound. Optical properties of water can be manipulated with very intense laser light to act like a focusing lens, allowing nonlinear self-focusing (NSF) to take place. In addition, the slightly different colors of the laser, which travel at different speeds in water due to group velocity dispersion (GVD), can be arranged so that the pulse also compresses in time as it travels through water, further concentrating the light. By using a combination of GVD and NSF, controlled underwater compression of optical pulses can be attained."
underwater lasers? (Score:5, Funny)
Sharks With Frickin' Lasers? (Score:1, Funny)
I knew it! Sharks With Frickin' Lasers!
bad acronym (Score:3, Funny)
they should call it NSFW (Not Safe For Whales)
They Should Call It... (Score:2, Funny)
Correction (Score:3, Funny)
They should call it Subsurface Hydro-Acoustic Radiation Communication System with Lasers (SHARCS with Lasers)