Shooting lightning out of the sky with lasers

[Panich52]

Science Daily

Shooting lightning out of the sky with lasers

A team of researchers has demonstrated new techniques that bring lasers as lighting rods closer to reality. When a powerful laser beam shoots through the air, it ionizes the molecules, leaving a thin trail of hot, ionized particles in its wake. Because this stream of plasma conducts electricity, it could be used to channel away a potentially damaging lightning bolt. The researchers found ways to make the length of such a plasma channel reach more than 10 times longer -- a necessary advance for using the channel to redirect a lightning strike.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150924124045.htm

[Vincardog]

1. Wouldn't the proof of concept keep getting hit by lightning?

[krispos42]

2. Maybe bounce it off a mirror?

A well-grounded mirror, of course.