William Beaty wrote..
but it ended up as a military
secret rather than as a physics paper. There are probably lots of these
situations. But are any of them a major discovery like the laser?
Howdy Bill,
The free electron laser ( FEL) programs remain for the most part.. under
wraps. Imagine the progress made in this technology since Duke U acquired
the equipment and the scientist from Russia in the 1990's. We do not know
how much progress is being made by Boeing in their laser weapons research.
An FEL has some marvelous features including " tuning". Rangeability across
the microwave to gamma spectrum offers a tool for research. We do not know
what research progress is being made in China that may ironically, make it's
way into the industrial sector before the US unwraps their secrets. Why do I
keep getting the feeling that our secret weapons work is going to be
privatized to mercenaries like Blackwater and BAE .. like our toll roads are
being transferred to Cintra-Spain.
Richard
