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6 of 21 from Using star power for a clean-energy future (photos)
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Scientists at the NIF cut a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystal like this into a series of 40-centimeter-square plates. The plates become part of a system of more than 600 large aperture crystal components used for optical switches and frequency converters that help boost the original single laser beam to 192 beamlines.
The Lawrence Livermore National Lab came up with a quick-growth process in which it grows KDP crystals like this one in about two months.
Read more in our related article: "Harnessing a star's power for clean energy"
June 4, 2010 4:00 AM PDT
Photo by: Daniel Terdiman/CNET
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