Clean energy or powerful weapons: China is building the world's largest laser facility

The construction of the world's largest laser complex is in full swing in southwestern China, in the city of Mianyang. Satellite images show that the facility is X-shaped and located in a rocky area.

This project has attracted the attention of scientists and analysts, but its purpose remains a matter of debate.

What is known about the mysterious object, OBOZ.UA tells.

Construction goals: clean energy or military research?

According to experts, the facility may be a nuclear fusion research center designed to study the possibility of producing clean energy.

Nuclear fusion promises to be a revolutionary source of energy that does not produce radioactive waste. Many countries and private companies are developing in this area, and China is obviously working in the same direction.

According to another version, the facility can be used for military purposes, in particular, for nuclear weapons research. Laser technologies allow to simulate the conditions that occur in the first microseconds after a nuclear explosion, which can help in the development of new types of weapons.

How does laser fusion work?

The technology used in the Chinese project can be based on laser heating of hydrogen isotopes to ultra-high temperatures. This leads to the fusion of atoms, releasing a huge amount of energy.

The four massive wings of the building are apparently laser bays that direct powerful laser beams into a central target chamber. Inside it, the ignition process takes place, which simulates the conditions that exist in the center of stars.

Chinese project compared to global counterparts

The new center is expected to be 50% larger than the US National Ignition Facility (NIF) located in California. Higher laser power will allow for higher pressures and more material to be compressed, which will increase the efficiency of experiments.

Implications for global security

If China does develop a hybrid technology that combines nuclear fusion and fission, it could change the balance of power in the world. Experts warn that such technology could potentially create more compact and powerful nuclear weapons.

However, a positive aspect is that China may be trying to avoid real nuclear tests by modeling processes using laser facilities.

Conclusion

The construction of the largest laser complex in Minyang opens up new opportunities for China in both energy and military research. Its real purpose is still in question, but one thing is clear: this facility will become an important element of the global technology race.

Time will tell whether it will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes or will become a tool for military development.

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