I’ve fired one of America’s most powerful lasers – here’s what a shot day looks like

It would take hours to set up the perfect shot at the Texas Petawatt Laser facility. Once it fired, the beam released an incredible amount of energy.

By: Ahmed Helal, The University of Texas at Austin, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 17, 2026

Words: 1,398

Last Updated: 3 months, 2 weeks ago

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By Ahmed Helal, The University of Texas at Austin

If you walk across the open yard in front of the Physics, Math and Astronomy building at the University of Texas at Austin, you’ll see a 17-story tower and a huge L-shaped building. What you won’t see is what’s underneath you. Two floors below ground, behind heavy double doors stamped with a logo that most students have never noticed, sits one of the most powerful lasers …

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