[Movies] Scientists Create The World's First Phaser
Posted by Jeremy Thomas on 03.18.2013
Trekkies of the world rejoice...
Star Trek fans have cause to celebrate, as scientists have constructed the world's first phaser. Wired reports that scientists at NTT Basic Research Laboratories in Japan have successfully built the device, which creates an emission of sound waves similar to a laser but without the aid of light. As the term "laser" (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is not quite accurate, they have used the term phonon laser or "phaser."
The devices were initially pioneered by researchers at Johns Hopkins, but this is the first time they have been made to work without relying on a conventional light-based laser in order to direct the emissions. That being said, they require further research to properly focus the beams to the point that they will be useful and then will probably be used more in medicine, electronics, and scientific research endeavors than as an Away Team weapon.
